Dry scalp? Natural detox methods for healthier hair

Do you have a dry, itchy, or flaky scalp? Does your hair grow slowly? Does your hair get greasy quickly after washing?

Then a scalp detox might be right for you.

A detox frees the scalp’s pores and hair follicles from clogging grease, dirt, exhaust fumes, and residues from hair products. In this blog post, we go through the benefits of different natural detox treatments you can do at home yourself, which in the long run give a healthier scalp and healthy hair.

I also describe step by step how these are done. The journey to beautiful hair starts with a clean, balanced, and healthy scalp. Join me!

What methods are there and how do I choose the right one?

There are many good ways to do a detox. Here we go through different methods for different needs and starting points. It’s fine to combine the different methods. But don’t do everything at once, as the scalp, like facial skin, can become irritated from sudden intensive treatment.

| Oils | Clay | Vinegar rinse | Aloe Vera Gel - Dissolves grease and dirt | Absorbs grease and dirt | Restores pH (so bacteria don’t thrive) Adds moisture to the scalp | | Dissolves dry flakes | Scrubs away dead skin cells and dry flakes | Rinses away waste products | Breaks down dead skin cells with natural enzymes | | Nourishes and cares for hair & scalp | Reduces dandruff | Dissolves lime buildup and makes hair soft and shiny | Soothing for irritated scalp and itching | | Can relieve itching, reduce dandruff, etc. (depending on the oil) | Adds volume to hair | Soothing for itching, reduces dandruff

Detox with oil

Khadis hair oils consist of different combinations of oils and herbs that have multiple benefits compared to a single oil. They are also formulated to be easier to wash out compared to heavy oils like coconut oil. There are 5 variants of Khadis hair oils. Choose the one that best suits your scalp type.

Fushi’s hair oil Really Good Hair Oil contains a very nourishing blend of organic cold-pressed oils and herbs like Brahmi and Neem.

How to do an oil detox

• Distribute the oil on dry or damp scalp with your fingers. If you have a lot of hair, you may need to part it with a comb and apply section by section.
• Massage your fingers directly on the scalp in circular motions so you don’t pull on the hair. The massage helps the oil absorb into the scalp.
• Leave on for at least 1 hour or let it work overnight.
• Now the grease, dry flakes, and dead skin cells have dissolved or softened. Distribute and massage your shampoo into the oily but dry scalp (without water).
• Add a little water and work up a lather.
• Rinse with water.
• Shampoo more times if needed until hair and scalp feel clean.
• Treat your scalp with oil 1-4 times a month or every time before planned shampooing.

Detox with clay

Clay is very absorbent and a great deep-cleansing method to remove grease and waste products. Just like the skin on your face and body, your scalp also needs exfoliation. By scrubbing the scalp with clay, dead skin cells and flakes are reduced, while blood circulation is stimulated, which benefits hair growth.

Rhassoul clay is popular for hair care. It is affordable and easy to use. Keep in mind that it can be coarse or finely ground. The coarse type is preferred for hair and scalp; it is not as absorbent as the finely ground (which is better suited for face and body).

We recommend Crearome’s rhassoul clay. Since clay is alkaline, you should restore pH with an acid rinse (see below about vinegar rinse). A detox can be done 1-3 times per week depending on how oily and sensitive the scalp (and hair) is. Start with once a week or every other week if you have a sensitive scalp.

How to mix your clay for hair:

• Use a metal-free bowl/jar and fork.
• Mix the clay with water until the consistency is like thick yogurt.
• Let the clay swell for at least 15 minutes.
• You can add a few drops of oil if you have a dry scalp or dry hair.
• Leftover clay can be saved in a clean jar with a lid and lasts about 7 days.

How to do a detox with clay

• Distribute the clay on dry or damp scalp with your fingers or a brush. If you have a lot of hair, you may need to part it with a comb and apply section by section.
• Scrub by massaging gently with your fingers directly on the scalp with small movements, as you don’t want to damage the hair.
• Let the clay work for a total of 5-15 minutes. Count the time from the massage. For example, if you massage for 5 minutes, you can let the clay work for another 5-10 minutes. Use a shorter treatment time if you have a sensitive scalp.
• Rinse the clay thoroughly with water.
• Massage and rinse with diluted vinegar (see below) if you like.
• Finish with conditioner if needed.

Detox with vinegar rinse

Dandruff, itching, irritating or smelly scalp? Stiff, dull, and lifeless hair? Try apple cider vinegar, which has a “just right” low pH, just like our skin around pH 4-5. Strong foaming shampoos and clays are alkaline (high pH). When the scalp’s pH becomes alkaline for a long time, both fungi and bacteria can thrive, which can cause dandruff and an unpleasant scalp. Apple cider vinegar is also great at dissolving mineral buildup and makes hair incredibly soft and shiny!

Try Nea of Sweden's or Ekendahl's fine vinegar rinses. They are enriched with moisturizing and stimulating ingredients.

How to do a detox with a vinegar rinse

• Mix 1-2 teaspoons of vinegar with a cup of water or choose a mix that blends 1-2 tablespoons with 1 liter of water. Increase or decrease the amount of vinegar as needed.
• Rinse the scalp and hair with the diluted solution.
• Massage the scalp and hair.
• Repeat the vinegar rinse and massage in rounds until the solution is finished.
• Let it sit for a while.
• Rinse with water.
• The hair should now be soft and shiny.
• If the hair still feels dull and stiff, try a stronger solution next time.
• Vinegar rinse can be done as often as needed. When washing hair, the vinegar rinse should be done after shampooing and before any conditioner.

Good luck with your detox! Feel free to ask questions in the comments or by email, and Glimja's product specialists will help you.

Wondering which shampoo suits you? Then read this article.