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If you're into haircare, you already know how important it is to cleanse and condition your hair on a regular basis. But what about exfoliation of the scalp? Scalp care is as important as hair care.
What Is Scalp Exfoliation?
Credit: Envato Elements/ IryanaKhabliuk
Scalp exfoliation is a cleansing procedure that removes dry, flaky skin, product build-up, and debris from the scalp. Physical exfoliants use a tool or granule-based scrub that will help buff away any dead surface skin cells that contribute to irritation, tightness, and excessive oil production. You can use a chemical exfoliant with active chemicals like glycolic or salicylic acid to wash away any grime, dead skin surface skin cells, or debris.
Reasons to Exfoliate Your Scalp
Exfoliation of the scalp is done for a variety of reasons:
1) Product Buildup
You may notice that hair styling products stick to your hair and scalp if you use a lot of them. Your hair may appear dull, greasy, limp, and weighed down as a result of the residue. Buildup on your scalp might cause flakes or grease to appear on your skin. It can influence hair growth in some circumstances. The buildup of items on your scalp can trap dirt and oil, making it unpleasant and inflamed.
2) It Aids in the Treatment of Dandruff
Don't be alarmed if dandruff flakes emerge on your shoulders. Simply comb through your hair with a purifying scrub to eliminate dead skin cells and provide relief from itchy scalp. Scalp cleanses can help you get rid of dandruff, eczema, and a dry scalp.
Exfoliating on a regular basis can assist with dandruff, not only by eliminating the loose skin flakes
3) Hair Scrubs Help To Add Volume
Exfoliating shampoos, often known as hair scrubs, are effective at removing buildup from styling products, hard water, and other sources. So, what's the big deal about this? You may end up with greasy hair and an oily scalp as a result of the accumulation. It's accumulation if you've ever washed your hair with a conventional shampoo only to discover it is still oily. The buildup is much more evident if you have fine or thinning hair. That buildup is removed with a good exfoliating wash, resulting in soft, glossy, and voluminous hair. but also by lessening the itching that can accompany it.
4) It Prevents Greasy Hair
It's not nice to have oily skin, and it's even worse if your scalp and hair are oily. Exfoliate regularly to avoid sebum buildup and keep sebum (your body's natural oil) at healthy hair levels.
Due to accumulation and clogs, your scalp may produce too much oil at times. When your scalp is clear, your oil production levels will return to normal, and you'll be able to properly hydrate and moisturize your scalp.
5) It Prevents Itchiness
The buildup of styling chemicals, hard water, and sebum can irritate and itch the scalp. This buildup can sometimes induce irritation at the roots, causing your hair to "hurt." For a healthy, itch-free scalp, use an exfoliating shampoo to gently buff away buildup.
6) It Improves the Performance of Other Hair Care Products
The hair care products you use won't be able to do their job if you have a lot of scalp buildup. A lot of things are preventing them from reaching your scalp and strands. Exfoliating the scalp can also assist other products to penetrate the scalp. As a result, they're even more effective. So, if you're having trouble with a new hair mask or serum, try a scalp scrub first, then apply the product. You'll undoubtedly notice a change.
What Is the Difference Between Chemical and Physical Exfoliation of the Scalp?
Chemical exfoliation and physical exfoliation are the two types of skin exfoliation. Gentle acids are used in chemical exfoliation to dissolve the links between dead skin cells, allowing them to be washed away with water. Physical exfoliators, such as scalp exfoliating scrubs and exfoliating shampoos, work by gently buffing away dead skin using a gritty component like pulverized apricot kernels or sugar. Exfoliating shampoos and scrubs for the scalp are frequently made with moisturizing and calming substances to enhance scalp health.
So, why is it preferable to exfoliate the scalp using a hair scrub? While chemical exfoliation is beneficial to your facial skin, the acids used in chemical exfoliants can cause your hair to dry out and get damaged. If you want to exfoliate your scalp, a hair scrub is your best bet.
A Word on Exfoliating With Brushes
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Some individuals swear by using a teasing brush to break up debris and buildup before washing, but this is something to be aware of. While it may benefit the scalp, it has the potential to harm your hair. If you do decide to use a brush, use it gently.
What Is the Best Way To Exfoliate Your Scalp?
Scalp exfoliation can be a combination of scalp massage and skin therapy.
Although it is okay to gently massage your scalp every day, exfoliating your scalp more than once or twice a week is not recommended. Exfoliating the scalp removes oil, but doing so on a frequent basis may cause the scalp to panic and produce excessive amounts of oil. Exfoliation of the scalp is normally done on damp, shampooed hair.
Scalp exfoliation can sometimes lead to a sensitive scalp. To guard against sun damage and prevent sensitivity, apply a protective spray-on sunscreen made for hair.
How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Scalp?
You may be wondering how often you add this to your scalp treatment. There is no one-size-fits-all suggestion for how often you should exfoliate because it depends on a variety of factors. However, there are a few factors that may necessitate additional scalp exfoliation, including:
- You use a lot of hair styling products, particularly silicone-based products that create a residue on your scalp and hair.
- Your hair is greasy.
- You live in a hot, humid environment.
What is our recommendation? When your hair looks greasy (even when it's clean) or your scalp feels oily and irritated, it's time to exfoliate. When your hair seems lank and lifeless, it's another clue that your scalp needs a good scrub.
Summary
Hopefully, this article has convinced you to add scalp exfoliation as part of your routine. Your hair will thank you. Scalp scrubs lead to a healthy scalp and have a number of benefits. So, stop overthinking and start incorporating it into your routine immediately.
