A lot has been said and written about hair care, but less attention is paid to scalp care. As someone with a very temperamental scalp, I’ve done some research, talked to my stylist, and experimented with a few different products to find a routine that helps me keep my scalp happy.
Hair Wash Frequency
Was it just me or did anyone else grow up thinking you had to wash your hair almost every day? For most people, daily hair washing isn’t a good idea. Aside from stripping hair of natural and helpful oils, too frequent hair washing can dry out your scalp and, depending on the products you use, cause a build-up of silicone.
If your scalp feels itchy and oily, it might feel counterintuitive to wash your hair less, but if you use the right products when you wash your hair and between washes, you should be able to improve your scalp health and go a few days in between full hair wash days.
Here are a few things to try.
- Reduce your shampoo and conditioner days to once or twice a week. This helps keep the scalp and hair from drying out. Be sure to use quality products free of sulfates, parabens, non-soluble silicons and other harmful products.
- If you have shorter hair or straight hair that does not absorb oil like curly hair, consider rinsing your hair daily instead of a full wash. This can help remove excess oil without stripping your hair. For those of us with curly, long, or thick hair, you probably already know that your hair can go 3-7 days without a full wash.
How often you wash your hair is very dependent on your hair and skin type. But I feel pretty confident saying that most people could do a full wash less often, which will help keep your scalp from drying out.
Reduce Your Water Temp
I really struggle with this one because I love a scalding hot shower, which is terrible for my skin and hair. It opens up the pours in your skin and hair and rinses out the oils, which is great for a deep clean but if the pours are not tightened up again with cool water, you could lose too much oil and dry out your hair and skin.Â
If you, like me, really love a HOT shower, at least try to rinse your hair and scalp with cool water before you get out of the shower. It’s easy enough to apply lotion to your skin every day, it’s a bit harder to do that to your hair. Turn the temp down and keep your hair and scalp from drying out.
Use An Exfoliant
One of the best things I’ve found for my scalp is the Kerastase Symbiose Scalp Renewal Micro-Exfoliating Scrub. I use this every time I do a full hair wash and it really helps deep clean, exfoliate, and soothe my scalp. I like to give my hair a good brush before working this product into my scalp and letting it sit for about 15 minutes before I take a shower. The product will cause a pleasant tingling sensation and it contains salicylic acid, which is what helps exfoliate your scalp. Be sure to rinse this out thoroughly and then use your regular shampoo.
Between my full hair wash days, I like to use Cult and King Tonik Scalp and Hair Purifier. This product was recommended to me by my stylist and it’s great. Like the Kerastase treatment, this spray contains Salicylic Acid to help keep my scalp clean throughout the week while moistening and protecting to my hair and scalp. It does have an herbal fragrance and causes the same tingling sensation that I really enjoy and find soothing on my scalp.Â
The spray can be used on both wet and dry hair. I tend to use it after a workout or on days I just rinse my hair instead of doing a full wash.
Moisturize Your Scalp
Obviously, you can’t use the same kinds of lotion on your scalp that you use on your face and body, but you should remember that your scalp is skin and needs to be moisturized. The best way to do that is through a mask, not a conditioner. I have been experimenting with a bunch of different moisturizing hair masks and have not found one I swear by, but as long as it’s a quality product designed to nourish your hair it should be fine. I am currently using Fable & Mane HoliRootsâ„¢ Repairing Hair Mask.Â
Read the directions first, but most masks will tell you to work root to tip and let the mask sit on your hair and scalp for at least five minutes. I usually leave mine in for 20 minutes while I face mask and watch YouTube. Gotta multitask.
The reason you should not rely on your conditioner is that they are usually too thick and should not be applied to the scalp. This is especially true if your conditioner contains silicone.
Don’t sleep with Wet Hair
I am sooooo guilty here. I am a nighttime showerer. It helps me wind down and makes me feel relaxed, and I hate climbing into bed feeling dirty from the day. I love my Sunday night hair wash routine because it’s all about taking care of my hair, skin, and emotional well-being. The problem is that I usually do it later in the evening and often end up going to bed with damp hair. This is bad for your hair because it’s weakest when wet, and it’s bad for your scalp because a wet and warm environment promotes bacterial and fungi growth.
I am trying to get better about starting my routine earlier so my hair can dry before bed, but I could also use a dryer to get my hair 80% dry and let it completely air dry before bed. I try to avoid heat but sometimes it’s the healthier option for your hair and scalp.
Building A Scalp Care Routine
Your scalp, like your skin and hair, is unique to you, and finding the right routine will require some trial and error. It will also change with time depending on the products you use, how you style your hair, and the environment around you. Hopefully, these tips will give you a place to start and you’ll give a little more thought to your scalp and how you can show it some love.
Rainy Day Rags 