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Scalp scrub is hailed as a haircare must-have, but do you really need it?

Do You Need a Scalp Scrub in Your Haircare Routine?

Are scalp scrubs essentials or nice-to-haves? Discover their benefits and how to incorporate them into your haircare routine.

June 14, 2024
Read Time: 3 Minutes

Are Scalp Scrubs Good for Your Hair?>

1. They may help encourage healthy hair growth. >

2. They supercharge your haircare products. >

3. They make your hair shiny, not oily.>


How Often Should You Use a Scalp Scrub? >

Do You Use a Scalp Scrub Before or After Shampoo?>


Have you ever considered exfoliating your scalp? Perhaps it’s time to give it some thought. Just like any part of your body, the scalp can accumulate dead skin cells, excess oil, and product buildup over time. Your regular shampoo might not be up to the task of sloughing away all this gunk, but that’s where a scalp scrub comes into play.

Scalp exfoliation might seem unnecessary, especially if you prefer a less-is-more approach to your haircare routine. So, before you add a scalp scrub to your bathroom shelf, read below to find out if it’s worth your money.

Are Scalp Scrubs Good for Your Hair?

A portrait of woman checking her scalp in the mirror.
Scalp scrubs are good for those with an overly dry or oily scalp.

Exfoliation is good for maintaining a healthy scalp. The granules in scrubs help mechanically loosen stubborn grime that can cause flaking and make your hair look greasy. Flaking is the keyword here. If large, sticky, yellowish clumps of skin fall off your scalp, you need a medicated dandruff solution to fix the issue.

Other than keeping your scalp clean, scalp scrubs have a slew of benefits.

1. They may help encourage healthy hair growth. 

Massaging a scrub into the scalp can help increase blood flow to the follicles, pumping out more oxygen and essential nutrients for hair to thrive. A good exfoliation also helps keep the environment where new strands sprout from well-balanced. That means no debris clogging up the follicles and impeding hair growth.

However, scalp scrubs are not a one-for-all treatment for instantly long and thick locks. If you notice any significant changes to your hair-shedding cycle, talk to a trichologist who can diagnose and prescribe a hair fall solution.

2. They supercharge your haircare products. 

I’ve tried a bunch of volumizing products, yet my hair still falls limp. Sounds like you? Your scalp might be weighed down by the remnants of your haircare products, which prevent them from delivering their full potential. When your hair and scalp are squeaky clean, the rest of your masks, oils, and serums can work their magic and finally give you some return on your investment.

3. They make your hair shiny, not oily.

Turns out, glossy hair is only a scrub away. Scalp exfoliation has a clarifying effect on the hair, removing residues that can dull its appearance. Moreover, some products have ingredients, such as glycolic acid and tea tree oil, that can help regulate sebum production without drying the scalp.

How Often Should You Use a Scalp Scrub? 

If you’re new to scalp scrubbing, start with once a week and gradually increase the frequency to twice a week as your scalp adjusts. Beware of overdoing it since exfoliating too much can create tiny cracks in the protective barrier and throw off the pH levels of the scalp, leading to irritation.

Avoid using a scrub on an already inflamed scalp. It won’t help much for skin conditions like folliculitis or psoriasis, and may even worsen the problem.

Do You Use a Scalp Scrub Before or After Shampoo?

A portrait of woman drying her hair with a towel.
Your full hair wash routine should look like this: scalp scrub, shampoo, conditioner, and deep-conditioning mask.

You should apply a scalp scrub before your shampoo. Scrub removes buildup, then shampoo washes the residue away. Spend time massaging the scrub into your scalp in circular motions and wash out thoroughly.

Right after the scrubbing session, give your strands some much-needed attention with Cream Silk Salon Expert Treatment Aloe Mint Detox. Its blend of aloe vera, mint, and coconut oil detoxifies your hair while revitalizing damaged locks from intense heat styling and chemical treatments.

A scalp scrub is a useful addition to your beauty routine, provided you use it correctly. If you have an overly dry or oily scalp, it might just be the one thing missing in your haircare lineup. So, do your research to find the best match for your scalp condition and hair goal!

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