Scalp Health 101: How To Detox Without Drying

Curious about the scalp detox trend for healthier hair? You’re in the right place.

The scalp is an extension of our face, and likewise, requires special attention and care to stay clean, hydrated, flake-, itch-, and buildup-free.

Yet, very few people are taught how to care for and detox the scalp for optimal hair growth, shine, and strength.

Fortunately, with the right products and a little know-how, detoxing your scalp can be quick, easy, and ultra-enjoyable.

Let’s get into it with this scalp 101 detox tutorial.

What Is A Scalp Detox?

Most people are familiar with the consequences of styling build-up on hair, which dulls and weighs down your tresses.

This is easily remedied with clarifying shampoo and/or cutting back on heavy styling products.

However, styling product buildup doesn’t just affect the hair; it can also impact the scalp.

Sticky styling products mixed with the scalp’s natural oils, dead skin, and dirt can lead to itchiness, flaking, oiliness, and plugged hair follicles, potentially impacting hair growth, thickness, and luster over time.

The simple remedy for this is a scalp detox, which uses exfoliating and hydrating scalp care products or DIY remedies to gently break up and remove buildup, freeing the scalp from congestion and promoting healthier hair and skin.

Many people find that a regular scalp detox is the missing link to healthier, fuller, more manageable hair and a happy, hydrated scalp.

The key is to detox without overdrying, which is what we’ll cover here.

12 Signs It’s Time For a Scalp Detox

So, how do you know if you need a scalp detox? Your scalp and hair will tell you.

Here are twelve signs it’s time to give your scalp some extra TLC:

1. Your hair is oilier than usual
2. You use a lot of styling products like hairspray, gel, pomade, etc.
3. Your hair isn’t styling like it used to
4. You use dry shampoo regularly
5. Your favorite shampoo suddenly isn’t as effective
6. Your scalp is dry and itchy, even after conditioning
7. You have to wash your hair more than usual
8. You’re very active and/or you sweat often
9. Your scalp is flaking
10. Your hair has lost some of its luster, thickness, and shine
11. You color your hair often, even with natural dyes
12. Your hair has lost volume and is flatter than usual

If you notice one or more of these signs, and/or if you’ve never done a scalp detox, now is the time to give it a try.

Note: Other conditions requiring medical treatment, like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, staph infections, and scalp ringworm, can display some of the same symptoms and can be mistaken for dry or congested scalp. If you’re unsure, check with your healthcare provider. 

Related reading: What Is A Damaged Skin Barrier And How Do You Fix It?

How to Naturally Detox Your Scalp Without Drying Using Natural Products & DIY Options

If this is your first time doing a scalp detox, you are in for a treat.

The method itself is very relaxing, it only takes a few minutes, and the results are well worth the effort.

Here, you’ll learn how to detox your scalp using Desert Essence's new Dry Scalp Treatment line or other natural, DIY options.

Either way, you should see results after the first treatment or, if you’ve never done a scalp detox before, after the first few treatments.

How To Detox Your Scalp Using Desert Essence Dry Scalp Treatment

Dessert Essence Dry Scalp Line was formulated with clean botanical extracts, pure plant oils, prebiotics, natural lactic acid, glucosamine HCL, and antiseptic essential oils to gently and effectively exfoliate, detox, and hydrate the scalp, without drying or harsh ingredients.[1-5]

You can use this as a weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly scalp detox treatment, or several times per week for serious scalp care and rehab.

Here’s how to use it.

Step 1: Exfoliate & Remove Buildup With Dry Scalp Care Pre-Shampoo Intensive Treatment

This pre-shampoo intensive treatment contains natural exfoliating lactic acid and glucosamine HCL from fermentation to gently break down dead skin cells, while prebiotic chicory-derived inulin, cooling, soothing peppermint oil, and jojoba oil nourish, soothe, and hydrate the scalp.[1-7]

To use: Gently massage onto wet or dry scalp for a few seconds to a couple of minutes before shampooing.

This is a lovely treatment to use with a silicone scalp massaging tool, making gentle circular motions for a minute or two.

Note: Although this step feels really good, it’s important not to overdo the scalp massage! Excess massaging can lead to skin breakage, irritation, and redness, which is the opposite of what you want.

Instead, stick to just 1-2 minutes of gently working this into your scalp using your fingertips or a scalp massager.

Shop Dry Scalp Care Pre-Shampoo Intensive Treatment here.

Step 2: Remove Build-Up With Dry Scalp Care Shampoo

Once you’ve exfoliated and dislodged all that scalp buildup, it’s time to gently wash it away.

For this, we recommend Dessert Essence Dry Scalp Care Shampoo.

This special scalp-loving formula is free from harsh drying detergents and surfactants, like SLS, and other ingredients that can cause scalp build-up, like petroleum products, heavy oils, and silicone.

Instead, it relies on Pure Australian tea tree oil and manuka oil plus prebiotics, coconut oil and jojoba oil to gently cleanse, hydrate, soothe, and help neutralize bad bacteria that can cause dry, flaky skin, all with a natural and cooling peppermint scent.[1-7]

To use:

1. Massage into wet hair following the pre-shampoo intensive treatment.
2. Rinse clean.
3. Follow with Dry Scalp Care Conditioner.

This shampoo works best with the pre-shampoo intensive treatment for scalp detox, but can also be used daily for regular scalp maintenance.

Shop Dry Scalp Care Shampoo here.

Step 3: Rehydrate With Dry Scalp Care Conditioner

Now that you’ve removed all that scalp buildup, it’s time to rehydrate, fortify, and soothe.

For this, we recommend a gentle and hydrating light-weight conditioner.

Dessert Essence’s Dry Scalp Care Conditioner is silicone and petroleum-free and contains pure jojoba oil, a natural light-weight moisturizer that promotes healthy hair, skin, and scalp, along with naturally antiseptic pure Australian tea tree oil and manuka oil, scalp-supportive prebiotics, and invigorating peppermint.[1-7]

To use:

1. Massage into your scalp and distribute evenly throughout the hair, from root to tip.
2. Leave for 1-2 minutes. 
3. Rinse clean.

There you have it. The quickest detox you’ll likely ever experience, done in 5 minutes or less with just three products.

Other DIY Natural Scalp Detox Tools & Methods

As you’ve just learned, the best way to detox your scalp without drying is to follow a three-step process:

1. Exfoliate, massage, and hydrate to naturally loosen up dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and styling build-up.
2. Gently wash it away with a high-quality natural shampoo.
3. Rehydrate and fortify with a high-quality, lightweight conditioner.

You can achieve this with Dessert Essence Scalp Care Line, or other natural and DIY products, tools, and methods, including:

For exfoliation and hydration:

• An apple cider vinegar (ACV) solution of 25% ACV and 75% pure water
• A mixture of apple cider vinegar, aloe vera gel, plus natural clay
• A silicone scalp massager
• A gentle abrasive, like baking soda or bentonite clay, mixed with hydrating plant oils, like jojoba oil, coconut oil, or argan oil
• Pure coconut or jojoba oil, massaged in with a silicone scalp massager and left to sit for 10-15 minutes, can also be effective for loosening and removing build-up

For shampoo:

• Ideally, choose a clarifying or hydrating plant-derived shampoo with natural antiseptics, like tea tree, lavender, or other essential oils
• Avoid synthetic shampoos or those harsh surfactants/detergents like SLS

For conditioning:

• Choose a plant-derived, light-weight conditioner with natural plant oils, like jojoba and coconut and/or aloe vera to hydrate and soothe the scalp[8]
• If you choose to condition with pure plant oils, consider light-weight oils, like coconut mixed with natural antiseptic tea tree or lavender, and hair-growth-promoting peppermint[9]

Related reading: 8 Ways to Help Hair Grow Naturally + Little-Known Causes of Hair Loss

14 More Tips For a Healthy Scalp

Scalp issues can solely result from styling products, oil, dirt, and dead skin build-up, but they may also stem from other issues.

Here are fourteen more tips that may help promote a healthy scalp.

1. Increase your water intake to encourage hydration. Aim for eight 8 ounce glasses per day.
2. Try doing weekly or monthly hair oiling treatments using jojoba, coconut oil, or your favorite blend to promote scalp hydration and keep buildup at bay.
3. Consider cutting back on styling products or switching to gentler, more natural alternatives.
4. Switch to a plant-derived, SLS-free shampoo.
5. Avoid over-cleansing by cutting back on shampooing. Too much hair washing can strip the scalp of its natural oils, which are essential to its barrier function.
6. Don’t skip conditioning! This helps rehydrate the scalp after shampooing.
7. Limit your use of dry shampoo as much as possible, or increase your scalp detox care when you need to use it frequently.
8. Consider taking omega-3 fatty acids to encourage skin hydration and support a normal inflammatory response.
9. If you have hard water, consider installing a water softener.
10. If your water is chlorinated (not well water), consider installing a shower filter to reduce the drying effects of chlorine and other contaminants.
11. Avoid highly processed foods and focus on eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in whole foods.
12. Include probiotics and prebiotics in your diet, or take a supplement, to promote a healthy gut and dermal microbiome
13. Don’t overdo the detox! Too many scalp detox sessions, even with gentle and natural products, can backfire and cause more irritation. Instead, stick to a couple times a week or a month for maximum results.
14. If you enjoy it, a daily scalp massage for a minute or two is generally beneficial.
15. If a scalp detox isn’t enough, be sure to talk to your dermatologist about addressing other potential skin and scalp issues

All these tips can help you achieve greater scalp health and may improve overall wellness.

That’s a Wrap On How To Do a Scalp Detox

By now, you should be itching (literally and figuratively) to try a scalp detox, so go get after it!

• Shop Desert Essence Dry Scalp Care products 
• Shop Dessert Essence Jojoba Oil
• Shop Dessert Essence Tea Tree Oil

References:

1. “Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid”. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 35, Issue 3, 388 - 391
2. “Lactic Acid Chemical Peeling in Skin Disorders”. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.
3. “Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefits”. J Cosmet Dermatol. 
4. “The prebiotic effect of triple biotic technology on skin health”. Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications (2021).
5. “Efficacy and safety of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil for human health—A systematic review of randomized controlled trials”. Frontiers in Pharmacology.
6. “Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties”. Pharmaceuticals (Basel).
7. “Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity”. Polymers.
8. “Pharmacological Update Properties of Aloe Vera and Its Major Active Constituents”. Molecules.
9. “Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs”. Toxicol Res.