What Is a Scalp Detox and Why Is It Important for Healthy Hair?

Detox has possibly become one of the biggest buzzwords of the year, whether it’s referring to the millions of juices on the market that promise to detox your body, or even detoxing the mind through methods such as meditation. Whether or not they’re actually effective is debatable, but even the idea of detoxing something can give you the feeling of a fresh, new start.

if you’ve been looking to detox something in your life — but don’t want to shell out cash for a week-long juice cleanse or a spiritual retreat — detoxing your scalp might be perfect for you. We always say healthy hair starts at the scalp, right? Keep reading to learn what exactly scalp detoxing is and how it can benefit your overall hair health.

What Is Scalp Detoxing?

While scalp detoxing may sound intense, it’s actually pretty simple. According to L’Oréal Paris consulting dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, sebum and product buildup can occur on the scalp — and the cleansing of that is called detoxing. “Just as you would detox your body of toxins — it’s the same concept with your scalp,” he says. 

Detoxing that build-up is not only beneficial, but necessary for the health of the scalp according to Zeichner. “When any buildup occurs, it lives in our hair follicles,” he says. “This is where new hair growth comes from. If there is any blockage this can prevent a new generation of hair.” He also says that not detoxing can lead to hair loss and scalp health issues.

How To Detox Your Scalp

Now that you know that detoxing the scalp is the key to a healthy scalp and hair, you might be wondering how you can get started. Zeichner says there’s two ways to detox — you can use scalp clearing products or manually exfoliate the buildup. 

If you prefer to naturally cleanse your scalp, massaging the scalp will best work for you. According to Zeichner, you should use the tips of your fingers to make small circle motions to lather your shampoo in order to remove impurities. You can also brush your scalp with a soft boar bristle brush. 

Scalp-specific products can be just as effective. Use a shampoo and conditioner duo that’s geared towards scalp detox, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Scalp Care + Detox Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Scalp Care + Detox Conditioner to clear the blockage. These both contain menthol and neem leaf extract to purify and cleanse the scalp of dirt, build-up, and oil, leaving it feeling fresh and healthy. Up the ante on your scalp care by adding the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Scalp Care + Detox Scrub to the mix. This scrub goes deep into the scalp to remove impurities, and is also able to treat a dry and flaky scalp. 

When it comes to how often you should scalp detox, we recommend using the system about twice a week or whenever you feel like your scalp needs detoxing.

Next: Is That Scalp Psoriasis or Dandruff?

Written by: Shannon Stubbs, Photo by: Chaunte Vaughn