Scrubs for the face, body, legs and even hands have already become an ordinary part of the beauty routine for millions of women, but a scrub for the scalp in our latitudes still arouses wary interest. Don't be afraid, he doesn't bite! Moreover: if you suffer from excess hair greasiness, dandruff or hair loss, it will be the magic wand that will help you cope with these troubles.
Indications for use
First, let's figure out why this procedure is needed. Hair has an outer protective shell consisting of keratin microscales. The use of shampoos, unfortunately, gives only partial results, so even after washing your hair, particles of dirt, dust, subcutaneous fat, decay products, as well as residues of cosmetics remain on the hair.
Over time, they accumulate, which leads to dandruff, increased oiliness of hair and even brittleness. To solve the problem, you can use a scalp scrub. The use of such funds is recommended in the following situations:
- If your scalp is prone to oiliness.
- With periodic or constant occurrence of dandruff.
- If you have to use styling products (mousses, sprays, varnishes, etc.) every day. These substances contain alcohol, which can dehydrate the skin, causing various irritations. Products containing silicone cause blockage of the mouths of hair follicles, which causes dandruff.
- During the period of using additional cosmetics for the scalp and hair (various serums, leave-in masks, etc.).
Why do you need scalp peeling?
Every day our hair is exposed to harmful external factors. Dust and dirt from the street settle on the head, cosmetics accumulate on the hair and skin surface, overproduction of the sebaceous glands leads to clogged pores. As a result, metabolic processes in the skin are disrupted, and hair becomes dull, loses vitality, and grows more slowly.
Peeling from the English word “to peel” (“exfoliate”) involves removing dead epidermal cells from the surface of the skin. Scientifically, this process is called “exfoliation.” The principle of peeling for hair and scalp is the same as for a similar procedure for the face and body.
With regular cleansing, the functioning of the sebaceous glands is normalized, itching and other unpleasant sensations are eliminated. Exfoliation accelerates scalp regeneration, activates cellular metabolism, stimulates skin tone, improves nutrition and blood supply to hair follicles. Peeling with certain components has an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect, eliminates excessive oiliness of the scalp, removes toxins, and stimulates hair growth.
Exfoliation tasks:
- removing dead cells, dust, dirt, excess sebum, and cosmetic residues from the surface of the head;
- ensuring the penetration of beneficial substances contained in masks, scrubs, balms to the follicles. After peeling, cosmetic and medicinal hair products are much more effective;
- improving blood circulation and increasing the flow of oxygen to the roots, which stimulates the growth of new hair.
Girls who regularly do this procedure at home or in the salon note that their hair stays clean longer, and generally note an improvement in the quality of their curls, a stop in hair loss and the active growth of new hairs, a feeling of lightness and freshness.
How do these scrubs work?
All scrubs can be divided into 2 groups according to the degree of impact:
- Abrasive products that help to intensively cleanse the scalp due to their composition. They are applied exclusively to the hair roots, cleanse the hair follicles and sebaceous ducts.
- Scrubs that do not contain abrasive elements. They are applied to the scalp and hair along the entire length, actively cleansing it. Such products are somewhat reminiscent of a mask, but have a different effect.
When applying the scrub with massaging movements, the following also occurs:
- Intensive cleansing of the scalp and hair.
- Active blood microcirculation.
- Intensive regeneration of skin cells.
- The flow of oxygen increases, and the skin begins to “breathe”.
- Saturation of skin and hair with beneficial components.
Sugar and oil scrub for hair shine
wholenewmom.com
Sugar gently removes dirt, oil and dead skin particles. The oil moisturizes the skin and gives hair a healthy shine.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sugar;
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (olive, burdock, almond or grape seed oil).
Preparation and use
Mix sugar and butter thoroughly. Apply the scrub to your skin and massage your head. Move from the back of the head to the frontal part. After 5–7 minutes, rinse off the product with warm water.
Rules of application
- Before starting the procedure, you need to choose the right product according to the condition of your scalp and hair.
- Then it is important to test it to exclude the occurrence of allergic reactions . This is easy to do: just apply a small amount of scrub to your wrist or elbow, wait no more than 20 minutes and assess the condition of the skin. If no changes have occurred, you can safely proceed with the procedure.
- The scrub should be applied to dirty strands. They can be slightly moistened to make combing easier. When the hair is processed, you need to massage the scalp: you need to start from the back of the head and smoothly move to the temples and ears. The upper part of the head is massaged last . To do this, you need to start from the top of the head and slowly move towards the forehead.
- The procedure lasts 15-20 minutes depending on the type of product used, and then the remaining scrub should be washed off with warm water and the hair should be washed using shampoo.
Types of peeling
There are several types of exfoliation that are used, including for the scalp:
- mechanical - scrubbing with abrasive agents;
- chemical - peeling with acids (glycolic, salicylic, lactic, mandelic, etc.);
- hardware - in relation to the scalp, procedures such as gas-liquid and galvanic peeling are carried out.
Mechanical cleaning involves the use of compounds with natural abrasives, which provide exfoliation.
If we talk about chemical peeling, then only superficial cleaning is used for the scalp. To avoid damaging the hair follicles, preparations with a low concentration of active acids are used. A weak acid solution gently exfoliates dead cells from the surface without penetrating into the deeper layers.
Gas-liquid peeling is a non-contact procedure in which the effect occurs using compressed gas and liquid in the form of a therapeutic solution. The method is based on the use of a high-speed two-phase flow of medical gas (carbon dioxide and oxygen) and fine liquid. In addition to exfoliation and cleansing, the beneficial effect of the procedure is achieved through pressure jet massage, cryotherapy and oxygenation. Jet gas-liquid skin treatment is suitable for those who wish to conduct non-injection mesotherapy. For this procedure, vitamins, peptides, hyaluronic acid or antibiotics are used.
Galvanic peeling is a procedure that combines the effects of galvanic current with peeling serums. It is performed with a special comb with electrode teeth using a composition previously applied to the skin.
Indications and contraindications for the procedure
Scalp peeling is indicated for:
- seborrhea;
- dandruff;
- oily hair;
- hair loss.
By the way, this procedure is indicated for both women and men. Without a doubt, exfoliation is very beneficial, but it has limitations. Peeling cannot be done in the following cases:
- microcracks and other damage to the skin;
- sensitive skin;
- eczema, psoriasis;
- professional chemical peels are not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- allergic reaction to acid.
Professional peelings
Today, many well-known cosmetic brands produce various professional peelings for the scalp. The composition of the products may include AHA acids, natural oils and extracts. Exfoliating products are available in the form of creams, mousses, and gels. They can be freely purchased at a beauty salon, in specialized stores or at a pharmacy and used independently at home.
Modern dermatological peelings for the scalp are not only a means of chemical exfoliation, but are also used in the prevention and correction of seborrhea, hair loss and other problems. This is why peeling in hair restoration salons and trichology clinics is often used to prepare the skin for more specialized treatments such as mesotherapy.
How to do scalp and hair peeling in a salon
You can sign up for a chemical peeling procedure for your head at a salon or cosmetology clinic that has a trichology department. At the clinic, the trichologist will initially diagnose the scalp and hair condition.
Depending on the client’s skin type and the existing problem, the specialist will select the optimal drug for chemical exfoliation in the required concentration. The composition is applied along the partings to a damp and clean scalp and hair roots, for which the hair is first washed with a neutral shampoo. After 5-15 minutes, a neutralizer is applied. Then the hair is washed and dried with a hairdryer.
A specialist can suggest a mask for your hair type for the final stage. It is possible to combine the procedure with a head massage.
As a rule, salon procedures are recommended to be carried out in a course. If you don't want to spend money and time visiting salons, this treatment can be done at home.
Home peeling recipes
There is nothing easier than preparing scalp peeling at home. The easiest way to quickly cleanse the scalp of impurities and sebum is to use sea salt, which is rich in various microelements: iodine, calcium, iron, sodium, zinc, etc. But other abrasive components can also be used: table salt, sugar, coffee, soda . To prevent irritation and dryness from peeling, softening and moisturizing ingredients are added to the scrub, such as oil, kefir, egg yolks, etc. With such cleansing, the scalp will also receive nourishment.
Cleansing the skin with scrubs at home does not require large financial costs, does not take much time, and is technically very simple.
General recommendations:
- For salt peeling, choose finely ground salt, because large fractions can severely scratch the skin. Coarse salt can be ground in a blender or coffee grinder;
- apply peeling only to damp hair and exclusively in the root zone;
- wash your hair after peeling, not before;
- if the homemade scrub contains nutritional components, after the massage it can be left on the hair as a mask for 10-15 minutes with insulation with a cap and towel;
- for oily hair, the optimal frequency of the procedure is 2 times a month; for dry hair, it is enough to scrub once a month;
- Calculate the amount of ingredients for a homemade scrub depending on your hair length.
Be careful: dyed hair from the scrub may lose its color brightness; it is better to use store-bought peelings for it.
Recipe 1. With salt
- 1 tbsp. l. finely ground sea salt
- water
- 3 drops essential oil
Combine sea salt and room temperature water in a 1:1 ratio, stir until the consistency of liquid sour cream. Instead of water, you can use hair balm; give preference to natural balms. Add a couple of drops of essential oil suitable for your problem. For example, lavender, lemon, and tea tree oils are recommended for oily hair and dandruff; jasmine, chamomile or rose oils are suitable for dry hair. Apply the mixture gently along the partings and then massage the skin for a few minutes. After this, wash your hair as usual.
Recipe 2. With sugar
- 1 tsp. Sahara
- ½ tsp. olive oil
Mix the ingredients and massage your scalp with this mixture for a few minutes, then rinse.
Recipe 3. With clay
- 3 tbsp. l. finely ground table salt
- 2 tbsp. l. any clay, for example blue
- 1 tbsp. l. Water
Combine salt and clay and add water to the container. The resulting mixture is applied to the scalp with massage movements, then rinsed off.
Recipe 4. With coffee
- 2 tsp. coffee grounds
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp. liquid honey
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
Apply a mixture of these ingredients to your scalp with massaging movements. Leave on for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water and organic shampoo. To prepare this scrub, you can use coffee grounds, coffee cake or ground coffee. The grounds and cake have a softer, more delicate effect.
Please note: coffee is a natural dye, so fair-haired girls are advised to choose a different scrub to avoid darkening of the roots.
There are many other homemade hair peeling recipes. Choose the one you like best, or come up with your own: the main thing is to dilute the abrasive with a liquid (water, herbal infusions, green tea, mineral water); you can add a few drops of essential oil suitable for your problem to any recipe.
To consolidate the effect, use high-quality hair cosmetics, preferably with the most natural composition. For example, shampoo, conditioner and care mask can be selected from the ALERANA® line. Shampoos and hair strengthening balm contain natural oils and growth stimulating extracts, as well as other useful components necessary for nourishing and restoring hair, the effectiveness of which has been proven in clinical studies. ALERANA® intensive nutrition mask, enriched with wheat proteins, plant extracts, jojoba oil, nourishes and heals hair follicles and hair along the entire length.
Cleansing the scalp while nourishing and restoring the hair will give the best results!
Contraindications
In order not to harm yourself, you must follow this rule: if you have oily hair and scalp, it is recommended to use a scrub once a week; if your hair is dry and brittle, it is better to carry out the procedure no more than once every two weeks.
Use is contraindicated if:
- There are abrasions, wounds, cracks or irritations on the skin.
- The skin is hypersensitive and there is a tendency to allergic manifestations.
- There is a history of skin diseases such as psoriasis, dermatitis or eczema.
- Presence of tumors. This procedure increases blood flow, which has a beneficial effect on the development of various tumors, so if you have such a problem, it’s not worth the risk.
- Pregnancy and lactation period. This is a special time in the life of every woman, so before deciding on such a procedure, you need to consult with your doctor, since there is no exact data that would allow or prohibit such a procedure.
Useful habits when hair is magnetic:
1. Dry your hair naturally.
2. Use electrical hair styling devices less often.
3. Wear a comfortable hat
4. Drink more fluids
5. Use more moisturizing hair products
6. Comb your hair more often with a wooden comb
7. Add essential oils to skin care products
8. Wash and rinse your hair only in water at room temperature
9. Make hair masks
What result
If you exfoliate your scalp and hair correctly, using the right product, your hair will become healthier and stronger. They will look well-groomed, will not get greasy so quickly, and dry hair will become moisturized, but not greasy. Many people note in the reviews that the hair begins to grow rapidly and becomes thick, adding additional natural volume.
Note! Girls with colored hair should remember that the use of such procedures can make the hair color fade, especially if you use abrasive scrubs. This must be taken into account, otherwise the result may ruin your mood.
Effect of use
What effect should you expect after the scrubbing procedure?:
- a feeling of lightness and special purity of the hairstyle;
- reducing strand tangles;
- giving healthy shine and smoothness to hair;
- normalization of the secretory function of the sebaceous glands - curls become optimally moisturized and lose their oily shine;
- reduction of hair contamination - you can now wash your hair less often;
- elimination of dandruff and flaking of the scalp;
- hair stops falling out and grows faster.
After using the scrub, curls become more receptive to other care products, and accumulations of sebum will no longer prevent cells from absorbing the maximum amount of nutrients.
The best store-bought scrubs
You can find and purchase ready-made scrubs in cosmetics stores. We present to your attention the best store options.
Kapous Scalp Scrub
It copes well with excess oil and dandruff, and also strengthens thin and brittle hair. It has a light menthol aroma that gives coolness, especially in hot weather. It rinses off well and gives your hair extra volume.
ArgaWay Gold scrub
The composition of the cosmetic product includes particles of walnuts, extracts of medicinal herbs (chamomile, sage, mint), D-panthenol and golden pigment. The use of a scrub thoroughly and delicately cleanses the scalp, strengthens the hair structure and stimulates growth, and also eliminates discomfort, itching and flaking.
Yves Rocher Anti-Polution Scrub with Moringa Extract
The product very thoroughly and gently cleanses the skin, removing even heavy dirt. Hair becomes fresh, shiny and with extra volume. The scrub is easy and pleasant to use, it is suitable even for damaged and weak hair.
Natura Siberica Sea Buckthorn
The scrub intensively cleanses, activates blood flow to the follicles and keeps them from falling out. This is a universal, budget-friendly and quite effective remedy, which includes Altai sea buckthorn and Moroccan argan oil, Yakut sorrel, wild Siberian mint, calendula and a vitamin complex.
Thanks to this composition, the scrub not only cleanses the scalp, but also nourishes it , strengthens and restores hair, activating its growth. Hair acquires a healthy appearance and shine.
Belita-Vitex ACTIVE Marine collagen
It actively cleanses and moisturizes the scalp, nourishes it and normalizes oxygen exchange thanks to peeling with apricot kernel particles. The scrub contains brown algae extract, D-panthenol, marine collagen and allantoin. The product is easy to apply and wash off.
What beneficial properties does it have?
The scrub cleanses the skin of:
- pollution;
- excess silicone;
- sebum.
Such a remedy:
- allows you not to disrupt the nutrition of the hair follicles;
- has a beneficial effect on hair growth;
- stabilizes antioxidant status;
- promotes the integrity of the stratum corneum.
It is important that the scrub is capable:
- It is good to remove a variety of styling products, silicone from shampoo, conditioner, so that pores are not clogged and the skin is more saturated with oxygen;
- eliminate dead skin particles and fatty secretions;
- accelerate hair growth;
- relieve itching, soothe irritation;
- reduce sebum production for some time;
- effectively fight dandruff;
- keep hair roots clean longer.
If your hair is growing poorly or thinning, then proper comprehensive scalp care will help :
- healthy metabolism;
- renewal of skin cells;
- increasing the level of microcirculation.
This will create favorable conditions for the growth of new healthy hair.
In some cases, cleansing with a scrub can give a small amount of volume both to the roots of the hair and along its entire length.
After a scrub procedure, it is very good to apply a nourishing mask, because deeply cleansed skin absorbs nutrients easier and faster.
Useful videos
If your hair quickly becomes oily, we recommend that you also watch this video to learn not only how to prepare a suitable abrasive scrub, but also how to apply it, rinse it off, and how to protect your hair.
How to speed up hair growth with scalp peeling. Secrets and nuances of performing the procedure.
You can cleanse more than just your hair this way. Therefore, you can learn more about a body scrub, which helps not only remove dead cells, but also fight such an unpleasant condition as cellulite. Today, lip scrubs are also widely used to help cleanse, moisturize and nourish the skin of the lips, as well as facial scrubs.
Have you tried scalp peeling? What scrub was used for the procedure and what was the result? Share your experience and useful tips. And also send your favorite recipes, if you prefer to make your own scrub or store-bought options. If this article was useful to you, please leave your feedback and suggestions in the comments.
Popular Homemade Cleansers
You can make your own scrubs at home from available ingredients.
Saline .
The basis of this product is regular table or sea salt. You can add vegetable oils, egg yolks, kefir to it, and mix with balms until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.Application should be combined with a light scalp massage.
Coffee .
Natural ground coffee is used, and both stale and freshly ground coffee are suitable for scrubbing. Slept coffee has a milder effect, while fresh coffee performs a deeper cleaning.Olive or burdock oil, lemon juice, cinnamon essential oil and chicken egg yolk are usually added to the abrasive composition.
- With clay.
Blue clay acts as a sorbent, effectively absorbing and removing contaminants. A popular recipe, in addition to clay, includes granulated sugar or table salt and a small amount of clean water.For the scrub to work better, keep it on your hair for up to 10 minutes.
Other abrasives are used to make homemade exfoliating scrubs:
- white or brown sugar;
- candied honey;
- baking soda;
- nuts or fruit seeds crushed in a coffee grinder;
- crushed grains of buckwheat, oatmeal, rice.
You can add as additional components:
- cream;
- kefir;
- cognac;
- aloe juice;
- herbal decoctions;
- fruit pulp.
Rules for the scrubbing procedure
The scalp scrubbing procedure should be carried out as follows:
- Apply the scrub evenly to the partings.
- Rub the scrub into the skin with light massage movements. Do this for 2-3 minutes.
- Rinse off the scrub with warm water.
- Cleanse your skin with shampoo.
Possible side effects
If the abrasive particles of the scrub you choose are too harsh for your skin, you may experience discomfort, irritation or swelling. This can also happen due to an allergic reaction to any component of the scrub. In this case, you should wash the product off the skin as soon as possible and clean the irritated areas with a wet cotton swab. It is also recommended to apply a wet compress. To do this, soak gauze in an infusion of sage, chamomile or string. Apply the compress for 15 minutes and change it 2-3 times. An ointment, such as zinc, will help cope with irritation. Cream with aloe extract also combats irritation well. To avoid unpleasant consequences, do not apply scrubs intended for other parts of the body to your scalp.
How often to do the procedure
The frequency of the procedure depends on the characteristics of the scalp. If you have normal skin, scrub once every 3 hair washes, and if you have oily skin, scrub once every 2 washes. Those with sensitive skin should minimize this procedure or not scrub at all. If you have sensitive skin, consult a trichologist first. If you follow all the rules of the procedure, the effect will be noticeable after the first scrubbing.
Dead skin cells on the scalp prevent healthy hair growth and cause dandruff and greasiness. The only way to combat this is to scrub the skin. This procedure allows you to deeply cleanse the epidermis and speed up the exfoliation of dead particles. Exfoliate regularly and don’t forget that a healthy scalp is the key to beautiful hair.
- Author: marina_saad
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