Do you have a dry, itchy, or flaky scalp? Is your hair growing slowly? Does your hair get oily quickly after washing? Then a scalp detox might be just what you need.
A detox frees your scalp's pores and hair follicles from clogging oils, dirt, exhaust fumes, and residue from hair products. In this blog post, we'll go through the benefits of various natural detox treatments you can do yourself at home, which in the long run provide a healthier scalp and healthy hair. I'll also describe step by step how these are done. The journey to beautiful hair begins with a clean, balanced, and healthy scalp. Let's get started!
What methods are there and how do I choose the right method?
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, just like facial skin, can become irritated by sudden mass treatment.
| Oils | Clay | Vinegar Rinse | Aloe Vera Gel - Dissolves oil and dirt | Absorbs oil 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 | | Provides hair & scalp with nutrition and care | Reduces dandruff | Dissolves lime scale and makes hair soft and shiny | Soothing on irritated scalp and itching | | Can soothe itching, reduce dandruff, etc. (depending on the oil) | Gives hair volume | Soothing on itching, reduces dandruff
Detox with Oil
Khadi's hair oils consist of various combinations of oils and herbs that have more areas of effect compared to a single oil. They are also formulated to be easier to wash out, compared to fatty oils like coconut oil. There are 5 variants of Khadi's hair oils. Choose one that best suits your scalp type.
Fushi's hair oil Really Good Hair Oil contains a very beneficial blend of organic cold-pressed oils and herbs such as Brahmi and Neem.
How to do a detox with oil
Distribute the oil on dry or damp scalp with your fingers. If you have a lot of hair, you may need to divide the hair with a comb and apply section by section.
Massage your fingers directly on the scalp in circular motions so you don't damage the hair. With the help of the massage, the oil is absorbed into the scalp.
Let it work for at least 1 hour or leave it overnight.
Now the oil, dry flakes, and dead skin cells have been 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 off with water.
Shampoo more times if needed until hair and scalp feel clean.
Treat your scalp with oil 1-4 times a month or each time before a planned shampoo wash.
Detox with Clay
Clay is highly absorbent and an excellent deep-cleansing method for removing oil 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 promotes hair growth. Rhassoul clay is popular for use in hair care.It's affordable and easy to use. Keep in mind that it can be coarsely or finely ground. The coarse variety is preferable for hair and scalp, as it's not as absorbent as the finely ground version (which is better suited for face and body). We recommend Crearome's rhassoul clay. Since clay is alkaline, you should restore the pH with an acidic rinse (see below about vinegar rinse). A detox can be done 1-3 times per week depending on how oily and sensitive your 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 becomes like thick yogurt.
Let the clay swell for at least 15 min.
You can add a few drops of oil if you have a dry scalp or dry hair.
Leftover clay can be stored in a clean jar with a lid and will keep for 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 divide the hair with a comb and apply section by section.
Scrub by only massaging 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 min. Count the time from the start of the massage. If you massage for 5 minutes, for example, you can let the clay work for an additional 5-10 minutes. Use a shorter processing time if you have a sensitive scalp.
Rinse off the clay thoroughly with water.
Massage and rinse preferably with diluted vinegar (see below).
Finish with conditioner if needed.
Detox with Vinegar Rinse
Dandruff, itching, irritated or smelly scalp? Stiff, dull and lifeless hair? Try apple cider vinegar which has a "just right" low pH, just like our skin at around pH 4-5. Strongly lathering shampoos and clays are alkaline (high pH). When the scalp's pH becomes alkaline for a longer period, both fungi and bacteria can thrive, which can cause dandruff and an unpleasant scalp. Apple cider vinegar is also great at dissolving lime scale and makes your 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 vinegar rinse
Mix 1-2 teaspoons of vinegar with a cup of water or choose a mix that is blended 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 used up.
Let it work for a while.
Rinse off with water.
Your hair should now be soft and shiny.
If your hair is still dull and stiff, try a stronger solution next time.
Vinegar rinse can be done as often as you need. When washing your 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 via email to get help from Glimja's product specialists.
Wondering which shampoo is right for you? Read this article.
