Anyone with a skin care routine knows that exfoliation contributes to clearer, smoother, healthier skin. Exfoliation is also necessary when it comes to your scalp and your ability to boost hair growth. When you scrub your scalp with natural ingredients, you help to unclog hair follicles and get rid of any built-up dead skin cells or oils that get in the way of you having luscious locks.
While hair loss is much more prevalent in men, both men and women commonly experience pattern hair loss at some point in life. Women tend to experience thinning hair or hair loss in different patterns than men, and it happens much later in life for them. Experts believe that hormonal issues play a role in female hair loss. Men, on the other hand, can lose hair early on in life and about 95% of male hair loss is due to androgenetic alopecia. This is a genetic trait that causes receding hairline, thinning hair, or pattern baldness.
The Scalp’s Role In Hair Growth
If you don’t regularly scrub your scalp, you can kiss your dreams of thick hair goodbye. Just like your skin, the scalp has a dermis and an epidermis, but it also has a large concentration of terminal hair follicles. Diet, medications, illnesses, and hormones, can alter the growth cycle of these hair follicles. According to scientific research, a healthy and balanced diet plays a major role in the health of hair follicles, hair thickness, and the survival of hair.
Why Should You Scrub Your Scalp?
As we mentioned earlier, dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and grease can accumulate on the scalp, blocking pores and contributing to unhealthy hair. Exfoliating your scalp helps to remove all that build-up and naturally balance your scalp’s pH level. When you massage the scrub into your scalp it helps to increase blood flow, and several studies show that better circulation to the scalp boosts hair growth. Try the following scalp scrubs to strengthen, grow, and protect your hair.
Pink Salt Scalp Scrub
Himalayan pink salt helps to scrub away dead skin cells and dandruff, unclogging hair follicles in the process. By exfoliating the scalp, the pink salt helps to boost the penetration of other ingredients to your hair follicles. The peppermint essential oil also aids with exfoliation, but it works to unclog hair follicles and make your hair shinier. Finally, the coconut oil helps to nourish the scalp and strengthen your hair.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Himalayan pink salt
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- melted coconut oil
Instructions:
- Add the salt and peppermint oil to a bowl, and pour in enough melted coconut oil to form a spreadable paste. Stir the mixture and let it sit for 30 minutes to one hour before you use it.
- Take a dollop of the mixture and massage it into your scalp. Let it sit for a few movements and then shampoo out. Use this once every two weeks.
Brown Sugar And Oatmeal Scalp Scrub
This scalp scrub is all about gentle exfoliation, which is perfect if you have sensitive skin. The combination of sugar, oats, and your favorite conditioner works to exfoliate without drying the scalp or adding excess oils. Many cultures use oats in hair care routines to facilitate hair growth and contribute to thicker hair.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats, ground
- 2 tablespoons hair conditioner
Instructions:
- Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and mix well.
- Get in the shower and shampoo your hair to remove any products, oil, and dead skin cells.
- Scoop a small amount of this scrub into your hand and massage it into your scalp in a circular motion. Rinse hair thoroughly after two minutes.
Lemon Scalp Scrub
This scrub is honestly the perfect one-two punch, offering moisturizing and exfoliating properties. The citric acid in lemon is a powerful exfoliator that helps to remove built-up oils or dead skin cells. Olive oil contains vitamins A and E, two powerful antioxidants that fight free radicles, which contribute to hair loss.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons sea salt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
- Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix well.
- Before you use this scrub, make sure your hair is damp. Massage the scrub into your scalp in a circular motion and then rinse well with warm water.
- Follow with regular shampoo and conditioner regimen.
