How to Get a Healthy Scalp, According to Experts

Kiehl's Amino Acid Scalp Moisture Restoring Treatment Mask

Prioritizing your scalp in your hair care routine will do wonders for your hair health. A healthy scalp is the solution for stronger, smoother, and fuller-looking hair. However, considering the scalp can experience a long list of skincare woes that are dependent on a wide range of factors, such as your environment and genetics, achieving a healthy scalp can feel tricky.

Luckily, even if you're someone who suffers from dry scalp, scalp acne, or dandruff, experts say it's possible to give your scalp the reset it needs. But what does a healthy scalp even look like? We turned to hair experts, including a certified trichologist, to find out.

What are the signs of a healthy scalp?
"A healthy scalp is pink in tone, well hydrated, smooth, and free of flakes and any redness," says Abe Ayesh, a hair specialist and CEO of Eternal Hair & Esthetics, a clinic that specializes in hair restoration and aesthetic procedures. "When brushing your hair, there also shouldn't be any pain or flakes."

An unhealthy scalp can show up as skin concerns on the scalp or issues with your hair. "An unhealthy scalp shows hair loss, hair breakage, dandruff, redness, pain, acne, cysts, and itching," says Ayesh. Penny James, a certified trichologist and founder of Penny James Salon, says there are a lot of factors that can contribute to an unhealthy scalp. Hormonal imbalances, poor diet, genetics, stress, and even changes in prescription medication can all impact the look and feel of hair and scalp.

How to get a healthy scalp?
If you're experiencing an unhealthy scalp, James says you can restore it by washing your hair regularly, using a scalp treatment, using heat styling tools in moderation, and even applying SPF. "I tell all my clients to apply a spray SPF onto their scalps if they are going to be out in the sun all day," she says. "UV rays penetrate deep into the dermis, and if you have thinning hair on the crown area, your skin is very susceptible to getting burned, and getting skin cancer in worst-case scenarios."

James and Ayesh also recommend avoiding harsh chemicals in your hair care products. "We also instruct patients to pay attention to the products they're using and switching to sulfate-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free products, which can have a significant impact on your scalp health," says Ayesh. Try Act+Acre Cold Processed Cleanse formula, which puts scalp health at the forefront in its hair-thickening shampoo. To address itchiness, Just Nutritive's antibacterial haircare scalp treatment is a good option.

Ultimately, switching to gentle formulas, avoiding heat styling as much as possible, and giving your scalp TLC in the form of scalp treatments, such as exfoliation and applying SPF, can help give your scalp the reset it needs. Scalp massagers can also remove buildup and stimulate blood flow. However, if you find yourself with a chronic scalp issue, it's best to schedule an appointment with a trichologist or dermatologist to help determine the causes of those concerns and discover the right treatment plan for you.
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Why You Should Exfoliate Your Scalp
The key to healthy hair is a healthy scalp. Think of your scalp as an extension of your skincare routine. It requires all of the same steps your skin needs to appear healthy and radiant, such as cleansing, moisturizing, and the occasional exfoliation. Exfoliating your skin removes any dirt, oil, and debris that may be wreaking havoc on your complexion's appearance. Scalp exfoliation works the same way. However, if you're new to exfoliating this area, it can be a little tricky to navigate.

There's a lot to consider, such as your hair type, scalp concerns (such as dryness, dandruff, or acne), and the type of product you'll need. Scalp exfoliation is a buzzy topic in the beauty industry, so there's no shortage of formulas available. From scrubs, tools, and even chemical formulas that promise to dissolve any flakes, you're sure to find something that works best for you and your concerns. We spoke with two trichologists to learn how to exfoliate the scalp and its benefits.

Scalp Exfoliation Basics
Gretchen Friese, a certified trichologist for BosleyMD, says scalp exfoliation is the process of cleansing the scalp to rid it of dry, flaky skin, product build-up, and debris. You can exfoliate the scalp physically by using a tool, like a scalp massager, or scrub with granules to help buff away any dead surface skin cells that contribute to feelings of itchiness, tightness, and excess oil production. Alternatively, you can use a chemical exfoliant formulated with active ingredients, such as glycolic or salicylic acid, to lift away any dirt, dead skin surface skin cells, or debris. One of our favorite shampoos, ORIBE Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, uses salicylic acid as an exfoliant to slough off dead skin cells.

Benefits
"Scalp exfoliation helps to create a healthy environment for the hair to grow by cleaning out anything that might be clogging or blocking the follicles," explains Friese. It also helps to remove buildup caused by products and helps with oiliness, dryness, or flaky scalp issues.

Penny James, a certified trichologist at Penny James Salon, says exfoliating the scalp massages the area, too. This not only feels great, but also helps loosen tight muscles, release stress, and promote healthy hair growth.1

Proper Exfoliation Technique
The first step to scalp exfoliation is choosing your method. "A physical exfoliant will require scrubbing action and is easy to do in the shower," says Friese. After shampooing, apply a scalp scrub evenly all over your head, and gently massage it in before rinsing and following up with conditioner.

You can also use a tool, like a wet brush, says James. When doing so, she recommends applying the product to your scalp and using the tool to massage the formula into your head. "This is a great way to distribute the product all over and give your scalp a wonderful massage," she says. After you rinse out the formula, follow up with a conditioner.

Chemical exfoliants work a bit differently: After applying them all over your scalp, they need to sit for five to 10 minutes before you wash them out with shampoo and conditioner. If you have some extra time, try this method to see if it works better for you and your scalp. When in doubt, always read the directions on the product packaging for the recommended application method.

How often should you exfoliate? According to Friese, that will depend on the person, but a good rule of thumb is to start with once a week and increase to twice a week if you have oiliness, dryness, dandruff, or flakes. You can also bump it up to twice a week if you use a lot of hair products or get sweaty at the gym. Be careful not to over-exfoliate your scalp, though, as it can cause irritation, itchiness, or worsen pre-existing scalp conditions.