Pictured: Sofia aka @curlsfirst
A clean scalp is essential to having healthy hair. It is especially important if growth is a goal.
A clean scalp is essential to having healthy hair. It is especially important if growth is a goal. Although cleansing with a clarifying shampoo is one way to ensure cleanliness, many of us curlies tend to use buttery, oily products in our routines which may cause major build-up.
Lately, I have been trying to include more scalp exfoliation into my own routine, and the results have been blowing my mind.
Why should you exfoliate your scalp?
You wouldn’t think twice about exfoliating your face or using a loofah to exfoliate your body. Why not do the same for your scalp? Incorporating scalp exfoliation can offer a solution that will not only help with build-up but clogged pores, dandruff, fungus, and bacteria.
Because curly textures tend to wash their hair less often, the scalp often suffers. Follicles can become clogged with dirt, bacteria and oils from the sebaceous glands. Chronic acne, irritation and possibly hair loss can develop if the scalp is left uncleansed for too long.
3 Ways to Exfoliate Your Scalp
1. DIY Brown Sugar Scalp Scrub
This easy DIY that can be made with products you already have in your kitchen. Brown sugar is a natural humectant plus it contains glycolic acid which fights bacteria. Olive oil moisturizes with vitamin E to help with dandruff and dry scalp. Additionally, it is full of antioxidants and contains antibacterial and antifungal properties. I mix 1/4 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup brown sugar in a bowl and begin by sectioning my hair off. Then, I gently massage the scalp scrub into one sectioned area at a time and repeat until all sections are fully covered. Next, I rinse well and finish out my cleansing routine with a clarifying shampoo and conditioner.
2. Exfoliating Treatment
If using a DIY recipe is not your thing, or if your scalp is too sensitive to physically scrub, a shampoo exfoliator is a great second option. The Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo is a popular curly pick for all-around scalp health. It detoxifies, exfoliates, soothes, and balances your scalp without drying it out.
Pictured: Writer Rochelle Masella aka @discocurls
3. Scalp Massaging Shampoo Brush
Probably the easiest solution is to exfoliate with a scalp massaging shampoo brush. These brushes lift and diminish dead skin while stimulating the scalp. There are several brush options that range in bristle size to ones that vibrate. Essentially, they do the same job but I use an affordable option from Babyliss Pro.
Whether I use a clarifying shampoo or a co-wash, on every wash day, I use my scalp massaging shampoo brush. After applying a shampoo or cowash, I gently massage the shampoo brush all over my scalp paying special attention to my hairline and thinning areas.
Watch how I exfoliate my scalp
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This article has been updated due to discontinued products.
