Is a scalp scrub good for hair growth and hair health?
Does a scalp scrub help hair growth?
Scalp scrubs may look like just another publicity gimmick to make us spend more money on beauty brands. But a closer examination reveals that these products are easy to make at home from two penny ingredients. However, is it worth sweating at all? We’ve dug into the scalp scrub question and found something really impressive.
What Is a Scalp Scrub?
Well, we don’t really think you know nothing about scrubs. However, since there is still some room for confusion, let’s unscramble it. Scalp scrubs are exfoliating products similar to those we use to pamper our face and body. Exfoliants have the power to deeply clean the top layer of the skin by removing dead cells, dirt, excess oil, and whatnot.
They can do this in many ways, for example, with the help of chemical compounds like alpha-hydroxy acids or by applying abrasive particles like sea salt. Technically, the first-type formulas are peels, while scrubs are only those products that have a gritty texture to physically tear off all the crap we manage to accumulate on our skin. Sounds a bit scary?
In fact, a scalp scrub is your best friend when it comes to creating a healthy environment for your hair to thrive. Sure, you have a full set of shampoos and conditioners on your bath shelf, but they are mostly aimed at providing TLC for your locks, not scalp. Even clarifying shampoos are not that powerful to compete with the best scalp scrub for buildup removal. But why is it so important to regularly arrange a big clean up for our scalps?
How a Scalp Exfoliating Scrub Works for Your Hair
To embrace the benefits scalp scrubs can bring, you need to understand what is going on there in your skin. And there you have follicles, pores, sebaceous and sweat glands which team up to help your tresses grow healthy. If the pores get clogged with excess oil and the skin gets covered with dead cells, this ruins all the workflow.
Sebum cannot smooth your skin and hair cuticles properly thus affecting the look of your locks and, what is worse, depriving your scalp and tresses of their protecting layer.
Further, this buildup interferes with the proper work of hair follicles, leading to thinner hair and slowing down hair growth. You can also start shedding, not to mention irritation and dandruff – the whole mess on your skin is a perfect environment for the growth of pathogens. Gah!
Consequently, by incorporating a professional or homemade scalp scrub into your hair care routine, you can scratch all the above from your fix-it list. Namely, here are the results you can expect:
– Dandruff prevention
Using a scalp scrub for dandruff prevention is a smart idea because it will destroy the breeding ground for bacteria and fungi that trigger this skin condition.
– Flake-free scalp
Flaking can be caused by various factors, but scrubs are capable of removing dead cell clumps regardless of the reason behind them.
– Dry skin treatment
You can say goodbye to all that itching associated with skin dryness by restoring proper sebum flow, which is crucial for dry scalp treatment.
– Oily skin treatment
If greasy roots make you upset, find your own best scalp scrub to couple with your regular hair care products for improved sebum control.
– Upgraded TLC
Would you like to apply a scalp mask and add some useful substances to your skin? Then remove a layer of buildup from it first to ensure better penetration!
– Enhanced microcirculation
Applying scrubs, in fact, is a kind of massage thanks to their gritty texture stimulating nerve endings and blood vessels under the skin.
– Healthy environment for hair growth
Though you cannot spur genetics on, using a scalp scrub for hair growth is still effective as it eliminates multiple factors that can hinder it.
DIY Scalp Scrub Guide
What we like about this hair care product is that any girl can make a natural scalp scrub from ingredients found in her pantry. However, make sure to customize your remedy based on your specific hair condition. Here are some tips on this:
– Kaolin clay and a charcoal scalp scrub are perfect choices for oily skin, as both substances have an absorbing effect.
– A salt scalp scrub will work better for removing buildup and help those girls who stick to dry shampoos and styling products.
– If you are after a homemade scalp scrub for dandruff, consider adding some soothing components. For example, a sugar scalp scrub with peppermint or tea tree oil will do the job.
– When creating a scalp scrub for color-treated hair, don’t use acids – they can change your hair shade. But a DIY coffee scalp scrub wouldn’t do any harm to dark locks, while a cinnamon scalp scrub is suitable for light tresses.
– A scalp scrub for thinning hair should contain finer particles to work really gently and additional ingredients to strengthen the strands. Think of a baking soda scalp scrub enriched with rosemary or geranium oils.
The list of abrasive ingredients also includes fine-ground oatmeal, fruit pits, coconut flakes, nutshells, and plant extracts. They should be mixed with a base, which can be anything suitable for your hair issue, from aloe vera gel to coconut oil.
FAQ on Scalp Scrubs
– How often should you scrub your scalp?
No more than once a week if having greasy skin and once in 2-3 weeks when suffering from dryness.
– Are there any contraindications?
Yes, if you have acne or other inflammatory skin conditions as well as any skin damage, put exfoliating on hold.
– Is the product applied before or after shampooing?
Use it after shampooing, gently massaging the roots of your hair and follow with rinsing it out and conditioning.
We do believe that your locks will benefit if you start using scalp scrubs to provide better care for your skin. But make sure to choose appropriate ingredients for a scalp scrub made at home and don’t go crazy with exfoliation.
Featured Image: freepik – freepik.com
