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Beauty

13 Scalp Scrubs to Reduce Hair Loss and Get Rid of Flakes

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We’re all in pursuit of our dream hair, which is why we gunk it up with sprays, mousses, and dry shampoos daily. But these products accumulate over time, making your mane more blah than ooh la la. Your face benefits from exfoliation on a regular basis, so it makes a lot of sense that your scalp would too. You can’t have great hair without a healthy foundation, right? Using a scalp scrub will not only get rid of product buildup, it can improve conditions like dandruff, itchy scalp, and even hair loss. 

How Exfoliation Benefits the Scalp

Just like the face, the scalp produces sebum to hydrate the skin and hair. But sometimes it can overproduce, which can lead to an oil buildup that feeds the malassezia furfur yeast and causes dandruff. (Malassezia is a fungi that exists naturally on the human scalp, however some people have a negative reaction to it resulting in the death of extra skin cells that appear as white flakes.) The accumulation of excess dead skin cells and sebum may also lead to seborrheic dermatitis, a sometimes painful condition that manifests as scaly skin, red patches, and dandruff, according to the Mayo Clinic.

An oily scalp can also cause hair loss. Over time, excess oil clogs the hair follicle, preventing it from following its natural growth cycle, which stops new follicle growth and leads to thinning hair. A scalp massage will break down the buildup and help the sebum levels return to normal. If you suffer from dry scalp, using a soothing scrub as you massage can add in moisture. 

Side note: Dandruff and dry scalp are two different issues that often get mistaken for one another. Both manifest in an itchy, flaky scalp, but dandruff flakes are often larger and yellow-tinged. Dandruff is caused by a fungal infection and likely won’t get better without treatment, while dry scalp can sometimes be solved by shampooing less frequently and adding in a scrub. 

Scrubs can be abrasive on the skin, so you shouldn’t do them every day. Usually, it will say how often a product should be used on the package, but a good rule of thumb is to exfoliate one to two times per week. You’ll see the best results if you use them on a consistent basis, so aim to make scalp scrubs an important part of your beauty routine. 

How to Choose the Best Scalp Scrub

The best scalp scrub for you depends on your needs. Do you have dandruff? Is your scalp sensitive? With so many exfoliants on the market, you may be left scratching your head as to which one to buy. So, we’ve rounded up the best scalp scrubs on the market to take the guesswork out of your decision-making.

Keep scrolling to shop Woman’s World’s picks for the best scalp scrubs so you can enjoy the hair of your dreams.

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