Is A Scalp Exfoliant Right For You? An Expert-Approved Tip On Finding The Right One

Needless to say, it's as important as ever to make sure your scalp is healthy, eliminating any excess oil or product buildup suffocating the follicles. Enter what many beauty brands have dubbed the scalp detox: a way to exfoliate your hair follicles and lift up any excess gunk. 

We spoke to trained trichologist and hairstylist Shab Reslan about what scalp detox products will work best for your hair type. Your hair follicles will thank you! 

If you sport a thick mane and an oily scalp, chances are you're prone to some buildup. In that case, Reslan recommends you go for a bit more aggressive exfoliant, like a scrub. The more potent the exfoliant, the better it'll be for your follicles. Especially if you wash your hair less frequently than average, you might want to even use a deep-cleansing shampoo along with your scalp exfoliant. Sometimes, a gentle wash just won't cut it.  

This combo, Reslan suggests, should go with a less harsh exfoliant—you might even want to stick to a clarifying shampoo and call it a day. If you find yourself washing your hair every other day, you could incorporate a weekly or biweekly scalp exfoliant, especially if you're using a sulfate-free shampoo. As we know, sulfate-free shampoos are sometimes too gentle to lift up all the buildup, so throwing a scalp exfoliant in the mix will ensure healthy hair. "That will make up for the fact that your hair might not be perfectly clean," Reslan explains. 

The good thing is, the more you educate yourself on your scalp type, the more you can tailor products to your specific scalp's needs. It's essentially the same as your face; as Reslan puts it, "You know your face better than anybody—how sensitive your skin is, how often you can do a peel, or how often you can exfoliate. You have to be just as conscious when it comes to your scalp."