How To Tell If Your Scalp Is In Need Of A Detox

Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Although people spend a lot of time and money to maintain luxurious locks, many often forget about their roots. A salon-worthy shampoo and conditioner can keep tresses looking shiny and frizz-free but keeping your scalp healthy can prevent a lot of hair issues.

One of the most common conditions people suffer from is dandruff. While it isn't harmful, flaky evidence of it on your black sweater can be embarrassing. Dandruff can also cause your scalp to be itchy and irritated, and can sometimes even cause unsightly red bumps along the hairline. Another widely known complaint is dry and brittle hair, which can be caused by low humidity in the air. Hair dyes also cause damage to the follicles and many people are sporting lighter locks thanks to the balayage trend.

You may think that the solution is to overload your hair with products to make it look healthier, but that can cause buildup, which will have the reverse effect. Instead, if you've wondered whether you should double cleanse your scalp, take a good look at your scalp, and notice that it might just need a good old detox.

Too much hair product can lead to dull and lifeless hair, which means it's time to detox your scalp. Itchiness and flaking are other signs you need a good deep clean. An unhealthy scalp can lead to inflammation due to dandruff According to board-certified dermatologist, Blair Murphy-Rose, dandruff occurs when the scalp has an overgrowth of yeast, which loves an oily environment (via PureWow). Therefore, keeping your scalp clean and ridding it of excess product can combat issues.

In order to detox your scalp, you'll need more than your regular shampoo and conditioner. A clarifying and exfoliating shampoo will give your head a good cleanse. Don't just lather it onto your hair. You will want to really massage your scalp to get rid of product buildup. Rinse the suds and repeat to ensure your scalp is squeaky clean. Clarifying shampoos are strong stuff so it's not for everyday use. According to Paul Mitchell, you should only use them once or twice a month — once a week at most if you use a lot of hair products. If you don't want to go overboard with too much clarifying shampoo, there are other natural ways to detox your scalp.

Apple cider vinegar is known for its many health benefits and it can also be used to detox your scalp. As explained by Healthline, unhealthy hair can be more alkaline, and apple cider vinegar, which is high in acid, helps balance the pH level. The acid also helps exfoliate the scalp and combats dandruff due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Many people already have apple cider vinegar at home, so it can be a quick and easy way to deep clean your scalp. Simply mix two to four tablespoons of vinegar with two cups of water. After shampooing and conditioning with your usual products, distribute the apple cider vinegar mixture onto your hair, making sure to massage it into your scalp. Sing a show tune or blow bubbles while you wait a few minutes for the magic potion to work and then rinse it out thoroughly.

Another way to detox your scalp is to scrub it, which can get rid of buildup and stimulate blood flow. Scalp brushes provide small bristles, usually made of silicone, which works well at massaging the head while preventing tangling. You can either use it dry or in the shower while you shampoo your hair. Unlike clarifying shampoos, scalp brushes can be used more frequently — even every day. Think of it as a massage for your head with the added benefit of a healthy scalp. From there, you can adventure further into the haircare realm, including looking into whether going vegan can affect your hair!