Those with oily or dry scalps know the struggles of dealing with incessant itching, flaking, acne, and a slew of other concerns that can be a bit bothersome to deal with. Though you could treat those problems as they occur, experts agree the best form of treatment will always be prevention. That’s where scalp exfoliation comes in handy.
How you exfoliate the scalp is similar to how you would do it on the skin on your face or body, just with a few things you need to keep in mind. Below, the experts break down how to exfoliate the scalp properly to keep your hair clean, strong, and healthy (and they even threw in some of their favorite exfoliating scalp product recs should you feel inspired to buy a solution ASAP). Read on to see what they had to say.
The Benefits of Scalp Exfoliation
New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, explains that exfoliating the skin can help expedite the process of removing dead skin cells, increasing cell turnover, and getting rid of any buildup. This can also be true when you exfoliate the scalp.
Certified trichologist Bridgette Hill agrees and adds that exfoliating the scalp can help improve circulation and decongest the hair follicle for proper hair growth. It can also enhance the scalp products, such as serums and leave-in treatments, you use for better efficacy.
The Possible Downsides
Exfoliating your scalp is generally safe. There are just a few things to be mindful of. Exfoliants that contain small grains may cause buildup if not properly rinsed out. For that reason, Hills recommends those with thick coarse hair should use a water-, cream-, or oil-based product so that it’s easier to work on the scalp.
Dr. King says that you should avoid exfoliating your scalp if you’re dealing with significant inflammation or open sores as it will make it worse. Hill adds that if you have a diagnosed medical scalp condition such as psoriasis or eczema, it’s best to consult with your doctor on how you can exfoliate safely.
How to Exfoliate Your Scalp
Hill says that you should shampoo after you exfoliate to properly remove the loosen skin cells and debris. But there are some shampoos and cleansing treatments that already include exfoliants into their formulas so you can do it all in one step. Exfoliation also usually involves using either physical or chemical exfoliants. The difference between the two are as follows:
Chemical Exfoliants
Dr. King says that gentle exfoliators such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or salicylic acid can help reduce flaking and help keep hair follicles clear of product buildup, oil, and debris. She adds that salicylic acid is oil soluble and can penetrate pores to gently exfoliate and remove excess sebum, which makes it particularly helpful for oily or acne-prone scalps.
Physical Exfoliants
Physical exfoliants include scrubs and massaging products, which King says can gently remove residue left from styling products and increase exfoliation. Hill adds that scalp massagers can lift dead skin cells and improve circulation for better hair growth.
Just be careful. Dr. King says that too much pressure can traumatize the scalp and lead to irritation.
Homemade Scalp Exfoliators
While you technically can make DIY versions of an exfoliant, such using Himalayan salt or brown sugar, Hill wouldn’t recommend it. “Kitchen ingredients can exacerbate certain scalp concerns and disrupt the microbiome and skin barrier,” she says. “Improper use [can also] create unwanted scalp conditions, so just stay away.”
How Often You Should Exfoliate Your Scalp
Though it might depend on hair type and texture, generally speaking, Dr. King recommends exfoliating once or twice a week. If you are dealing with dandruff, psoriasis, or other scalp conditions, Hill says to consult with a trichologist or dermatologist about how many times you should be exfoliating.
Dr. King recommends something like the Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo, which uses salicylic acid to remove residue and glycerin and aloe to hydrate and soothe the scalp, or Kevin Murphy’s Scalp Spa Scrub, which has micellar water to gently cleanse hair and skin and volcanic rock to exfoliate the scalp without damaging it. We also like Ceremonia’s Scalp Scrub or Briogeo’s Scalp Revival Charcoal.
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