EXODUS BARBER SHOP is Atlanta’s source for XOTICS by CURTIS SMITH, the all natural, hair, skin, and barber products. The line features, SWEET JAMILA, the BEST
HAIR PRODUCT for WAVES, as well as curly and straight hair styles. Sharing the headlines is SHAVE THERAPY the most amazing all natural SHAVING-CREAM that serves as a pre, during and after shave product.
The shop’s owner, Dan Brown is the Atlanta metro area’s major distibutor for the product line.
As a Barber with an extensive clientele, I value their business, and especially their trust. For this reason, I only represent products I believe in. In the case of Xotics I exhibit that belief by using them in conjunction with my services.
I always tell my customers that to have the hair you want, you must take care of your scalp. Many traditional hair 
products contain harmful ingredients, most prominently petroleum, which can be very harmful to the hair follicle and consequently hair growth and quality. XOTICS products are made of all natural ingredients, which take care of the skin, scalp as well as the hair. 
For more information on the proper treatment of skin and scalp, feel free to read THIS ARTICLE.
So find your way to EXODUS BARBER SHOP for the best haircuts in the Atlanta area, and why you’re here pick up some of the best products on the market. We give discounts to customers purchasing services on Xotics products. For more information on purchasing XOTICS call Dan Brown at 770-364-5778, and visit XOTICSPRODUCTS.COM
Article written by DAN BROWN THE BARBER
I don’t know anyone who hasn’t dealt with dry scalp, or dandruff at one time or another, but for some this issue is worse than with others. First of all, dry scalp and dandruff are not necessarily synonymous. Dandruff is actually an excess of dead skin cells that form flakes. Skin cells are always dying, as the epidermal layer of the scalp is constantly replacing itself, but the problem of dandruff can be attributed to overly oily, or dry skin.
The body is a finely tuned instrument, and is built to take care of itself. Sebum is produced by sebaceous glands, as an oily substance that keeps the skin from becoming too dry. There is a theory that dandruff is caused by a naturally produced fungus called Malassezia. If it gets out of control it is believed that it can cause dandruff. A little factoid, Malassezia feeds on fat, so excessive sebum can lead to an excess of the fungus, hence oily skin causing dandruff.
Now on the other hand there’s dry skin. Excessively dry scalp can cause the skin to flake. Sometimes this due to a lack of being moisturized, sometimes it’s a little more complicated.
I’ve said it before, Barbers are not doctors (see shaving tips), so if I recognize someone’s issue as fungal or parasitic, I recommend the dermatologist. There are some common skin problems such as seborrheic dermatitis (scalp eczema), or psoriasis. There are also some more serious scalp diseases, so I leave the final diagnosis to the men or women who graduated med school!
Dry scalp can manifest from various reasons such as sudden weather changes, water conditions(when bathing), and even allergic reactions. I believe many of us have the wrong approach to dry scalp and their scalp in general. Underneath your hair is skin, and believe it or not, it’s more important than your hair! Think about it, a lot of people lose their hair and get along fine, however if you get scalped…you might not make it!
Take care of your hair, and neglect your scalp, eventually your hair (which comes from your scalp) will suffer. Treat your scalp with love, and healthier hair can be the result. The skin on your head should be treated with the same care as the skin on the rest of your body. Putting grease on a dry scalp just leads to flaky oily skin. Petroleum, which is an ingredient in many Black hair care products, is not good for the scalp. Products that contain petroleum, mineral oils and paraffin wax will just lay on the skin, clog the pores, and not allow the natural expulsion of dead skin cells. This will most likely lead to dead skin build up, which is what the those embarrassing flakes are.
To properly moisturize the skin, and subsequently the scalp, moisturizer should be applied to skin that’s somewhat damp. Oil is meant to lock in moisture that’s already there, so not washing and properly moisturizing your scalp will lead to dry skin! The same can be said for over washing and not moisturizing. Be sure to control the water temperature in the shower. Over exposure to hot water can lead to irritated dry skin, especially in the case of eczema or psoriasis. As an eczema sufferer I’ve stood in the shower many a day and let that hot water hit a sensitive area. At the time it feels almost as good as sex (alright I’m exaggerating), but at the end of the day, it has the same affect as scratching. Oh yeah, thats another thing, excessive scratching, not good! So people, what I’m saying may not be what you want to hear, but getting your hair parted, dandruff scratched, and scalp greased, is not a good thing.
As with most thing in life it comes down to balance, and each individual balances at a different point, so there can be some trial an error involved. I recommend all natural, petroleum free oils such as coconut, olive or shea that will be absorbed by the skin rather than just lay on top of it. This will cause build up that’s detrimental to the skin, pores, and hair. Now you can get your hair parted, scalp moisturized with a damp washcloth, and coconutty oiled! Here’s more good news, a good head massage will help bring blood to the scalp, and can help as well! Now doesn’t that feels good!
Dandruff can be controlled with some over-the-counter shampoos. There are basic ingredients in many of them that combat the causes of the condition.
- Zinc pyrithione — reduces fungus
- Selenium sulfide — limits cell turnover
- Salicylic acid — removes dead skin
- Ketoconazole — combats many different fungi
Once again this process can involve some trial an error. If your not suffering from actual dandruff, proper cleansing and moisturizing may be the solution. Be sure to give your hair two to three good washes, followed by thorough rinses. Once again, chill out on the hot water. Condition your hair separately, because the combined affects of shampoo and conditioner will probably cancel each other out.
Every Barber has to deal with questions regarding shaving of the beard, and razor bumps in particular. Now a little history lesson will tell you that in the days pre-dating specialization of professions, barbers were basially Surgeons, and Dentists! The Barber performed all sorts of tasks from blood letting (the red on the barber pole symbolizes blood), to pulling teeth. Needless to say, today, we are not Doctors! As a Barber, if I recognize bumps as being parasitic or fungal related, my advice usually is “go see a dermatologist”.
A common issues we deal with is Psueudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) or what we commonly call shaving or razor bumps. PFB is an inflammatory reaction of the hair follicles, that primarily affects curly haired males who shave. Basically the curly hair grows back into the skin after shaving causing the body’s immune system to react. The inflamed follicle leads to the hard bumps that afflict many a black man.
As a precursor I want to state that everyone has different skin and hair so each situation is unique. With that being said, some recommendations are universal. First and foremost is hygiene. Always use new or sterilized razors, and shavers. If reusable razors are your thing, sanitize them before and after ever use. I’m of the belief that you can never be too clean, so you can go with soap and hot water, as well as alcohol. The same thing goes for electric shavers and trimmers (no soap and water, except for certain shavers, see instructions ie. Braun).
The next phase of hygiene is your skin. Be sure to clean the area you shave. I find the best results occur after bathing or washing up. As far as shaving products go, I like them as natural as possible. I use aloe vera gel or Shave Therapy by Xotics. You can choose whatever you feel comfortable with, and there are many products on the market to choose from. I prefer to shave myself and my clients with a product that doesn’t have to be washed off because of an uncomfortable post shave residue. Shave Therapy can actually be used pre, during and post shave. I usually reapply it to the skin after cleansing.
Cleansing the skin is of the upmost importance. At home you can use soap and hot water, and I recommend a hot towel pre and post shave. Hot towels soften the hair pre shave, and cleanse as well as open the pores post shave. I use products that may contain alcohol for antiseptic qualities (after shave, sea breeze etc.), but this is where an individual’s skin condition should be taken into consideration. For example, a person with psoriasis or exzema may find their skin too sensitive to handle excessive amounts of 
alcohol. On the other hand, some people need to feel that burn! Monitor it, and in the case of skin conditions, once again, consult your dermatologist.
Now here’s a little something many of you don’t realize. Once you start to shave, shaving probably has to be performed on a regular basis. Personally if I don’t shave every other day I start to bump up. Many of my customers only get shaved at the Barber Shop. If I recognize a bump issue, I may recommend purchasing a good pair of trimmers (check the sidebar of the website) to maintain the beard hair in between visits. Some can’t take a razor on the neck at all and should use trimmers, or shavers that don’t take the hair too close. You may choose to use a depilatory such as Majic Shave, which chemically removes the hair. Once again, skin condition is a major factor determining ones ability to use such products. When shaving with a razor there’s no reason to apply too much pressure. If the hair is softened, and properly moisturized with a good shaving product, the blade should do the work.
Shaving is something that all men have to do, or have done. As with any other task the more knowledge you have of it, the more successful the results will be. Hopefully this article will help!
Blog written by Dan Brown “The Barber”