Scalp Exfoliation Will Transform Your Hair Health (and Styling Routine)—Here’s Why It’s So Important

For so long as we are able to keep in mind, we had been informed {that a} hair care routine concerned taking good care of our strands—that is it. As a end result, we have spent numerous hours making use of hair oils, masks, serums, and leave-in conditioners to make our hair as wholesome as attainable, however we had been overlooking a complete part—our scalp. Now we perceive the significance of scalp well being and the necessity for fixed TLC resembling constant scalp exfoliation, massages, and oils.

As a results of all this scalp care, our hair is stronger, more healthy, and shinier. Plus, our hair appears to be like quite a bit much less greasy and extra voluminous due to scalp exfoliants. Whether we go for a bodily or chemical formulation, they work to eliminate built-up particles and clear clogged hair follicles that weigh hair down and provides it its greasy look. Since discovering them and integrating them into our routines, our hair has appeared and felt so significantly better that we’re by no means going again.

We additionally now know that neglecting to exfoliate and cleanse your scalp can result in dry scalp, itchy and flaky scalp, uninteresting hair, clogged hair follicles, and extra. On the flip facet, while you exfoliate frequently, you possibly can doubtlessly expertise hair development, much less oily scalp, and shinier hair. It sounds nearly too good to be true, so we tapped three specialists to share all the things there’s to find out about scalp exfoliation and the best way to do it.

What Is Scalp Exfoliation?

Exfoliation refers to lifting away lifeless pores and skin cells and particles by both a chemical or naturally-sourced product. According to Jaliman, scalp care is essential because it’s the place the hair follicles are and the place hair grows from. “Scalp exfoliation makes way for fresh skin and hair follicles to grow healthy hair,” she explains. “Many people pay more attention to their hair rather than their scalp, but the truth is that a healthy scalp will produce healthy hair.”

Vincent agrees, including that exfoliation is important for retaining the hair and scalp in high situation. “It removes scalp buildup, allowing our natural oils to keep the hair and scalp nourished and healthy. Our natural sebum keeps everything in check, preventing dry scalp. It also allows oils to nourish and protect our hair’s mid-lengths and ends. On the flip side, an overproduction or buildup of sebum on the scalp can feed the Malassezia furfur yeast that can lead to dandruff, hence exfoliation is key.”

The Benefits of Scalp Exfoliation

All of our specialists agree that exfoliating the scalp comes with a slew of advantages.

• Removes buildup: “Not exfoliating your scalp can cause buildup and also dandruff,” says Jaliman. “When there is buildup, our hair follicles are blocked and hair does not grow as healthy, but exfoliating helps to keep the scalp free of buildup.” Vincent agrees, noting that exfoliation removes product buildup resembling hair spray, gel, and different styling merchandise.
• Encourages hair development: Using a scalp exfoliator constantly can create a wholesome setting for hair to develop: “By removing dead skin cells on the scalp, you’re lowering the enzyme population that contributes to the natural shed rate,” explains De Marco, who relates scalp exfoliation to dusting your property. “You can’t expect to never dust your home and continue living a healthy life. The same is true with your scalp.” Vincent additionally says that eradicating lifeless pores and skin cells additionally encourages mobile turnover in your scalp, permitting for recent, wholesome new cells to floor.
• Promotes shiny hair: Jaliman notes that while you exfoliate your scalp, you are clearing up the follicles from which the hair grows. “Your hair will grow in healthier, making it look shinier,” she says. Plus, scalp exfoliators may assist to take away short-term laborious water deposits in any buildup from haircare merchandise.
• Prevents dry scalp/dandruff: Having flakes in your scalp doesn’t all the time equal dandruff—it could possibly be a sign that the scalp may be very dry and/or irritated: “Exfoliating the scalp allows for its natural oils to nourish and keep our scalp and hair healthy,” says Jaliman. “This helps keep our hair dandruff-free and prevents a dry scalp.”

How to Exfoliate Your Scalp

Ready to slough away that buildup? Our specialists advocate being ultra-gentle when utilizing your fingers or a gadget to exfoliate your scalp to keep away from irritation. For these with a delicate scalp or different scalp points, it is best to seek the advice of your physician for additional steerage. Jaliman recommends steering away from scalp scrubs in case you have pores and skin situations resembling pimples, eczema, or psoriasis on the scalp. Below, De Marco breaks down the steps on the best way to exfoliate the scalp.

• Start by putting the product straight on the pinnacle, avoiding a lot of the hair shaft
• Use small round motions and your fingertips to softly elevate the lifeless pores and skin cells off the scalp
• Gently rinse with the water.

How Often to Exfoliate Your Scalp

De Marco says that how typically you exfoliate your scalp will differ, however the concept is to do it as soon as each seven to 10 shampoos. “With a healthy scalp, it should never be necessarily needed unless you have had an excessive amount of product on your head, or are on medication, which causes the condition,” he explains. To get essentially the most out of the method (and to restrict the period of time and vitality you’ll want to take a position), go for scalp-friendly merchandise that hinge their formulation on pure components, and are as sort to your hair as they’re to what’s beneath.

Potential Side Effects of Scalp Exfoliation

As with any type of exfoliation, those that scrub their scalp run the chance of over-scrubbing, which might tear the pores and skin and trigger sensitivity and even bleeding. Heed the recommendation of the specialists and do it solely as soon as per week (or as soon as each two weeks). And restrict it completely for those who discover damaged pores and skin or different sensitivity. Avoid over-exfoliation, as Jaliman says this may occasionally throw off the pH steadiness of your scalp.

Physical vs. Chemical Scalp Exfoliants

De Marco explains {that a} chemical or artificial exfoliant, like Sunday Riley’s Clean Rinse Clarifying Scalp Serum, usually makes use of an acidic answer that helps to elevate away the lifeless pores and skin cells by introducing acid. “The pH of the acid is low but not low enough to burn the scalp,” he says. An various is a bodily exfoliant or an precise materials that helps to take away these lifeless pores and skin cell flakes, just like the charcoal and sea salt in Pacifica’s Rosemary Detox Scalp Scrub. “Physical exfoliants include ingredients that physically pry the dead skin cells off as opposed to chemically disintegrating their attachment,” says De Marco.

DIY Scalp Exfoliants

There are a number of key components to remember when making your personal, DIY scalp exfoliant. Sea salt is a go-to exfoliator, for example. Just remember to add a product like a peppermint oil for added antibacterial properties. You may also combine salt with sugar, to make the scrub barely much less abrasive.