A healthy scalp goes hand in hand with healthy hair. Unfortunately, the scalp is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body to get dirty due to exposure to dust, dirt, or residue (dregs) of hair care products. Therefore, make it a habit to do a scalp cleansing procedure every few weeks so that the scalp does not feel itchy, dry, and scaly. In addition, the condition of the hair will be healthier afterwards! To clean your scalp, try using a shampoo or a special commercial product. If you want, you can also use exfoliants or other natural ingredients.
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Method 1 of 3: Cleaning the Scalp with Commercial Products
Step 1. Use a clarifying shampoo or a special shampoo that is used to remove product residue on the scalp
Once a month, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo. Leave the shampoo on your scalp for three minutes or follow the instructions on the product packaging. Using it is effective in cleaning product residue and removing dead skin cells that are attached to your scalp.
Be careful, clarifying shampoos can fade your hair color. Therefore, make sure you use it on hair that is not or has not been colored
Step 2. Try using a scalp cleansing product
In fact, there are many scalp cleansing products on the market in the form of scrubs or exfoliants, foaming shampoos, or serums to remove dead skin cells.
- Foaming shampoo can be directly applied to the hair and massaged into the scalp. Meanwhile, scrubs or exfoliants function to clean the build-up of residue on the scalp, and serums are useful for cleaning the remaining product that is still attached after the scalp is cleaned.
- Some types of products are quite expensive and are only available at beauty shops or online stores.
Step 3. Use a deep conditioner after cleansing the scalp
Cleaning the scalp is like lifting everything that is there. This means that you need to restore moisture to your hair and scalp by applying a deep conditioner after cleansing.
- Remember, use conditioner only on the ends of your hair, not your scalp so your hair doesn't look heavy and greasy.
- To replace lost moisture, you can also use a leave-in conditioner or conditioner that doesn't need to be rinsed off.
Step 4. Determine a scalp cleansing schedule
To maximize the hair care process, make sure you clean your scalp regularly. Of course, each person's cleaning frequency may vary depending on their hair type. However, you can start by cleaning your scalp once a month.
- If your scalp has excess residue buildup, requires a lot of product to clean it, or sweats too much, try increasing the frequency to twice a month or once every two weeks.
- As with whatever schedule you choose, make sure you incorporate it into your hair care routine.
Method 2 of 3: Cleansing Scalp with Natural Ingredients
Step 1. Use vinegar
Vinegar is a medium-intensity natural ingredient that you can use to clean your scalp. First of all, wash your hair as usual. After rinsing the shampoo, pour the vinegar and water mixture on your scalp and let it sit for five minutes. After that, rinse your hair and scalp again with cold water.
To make it, you just need to mix one part vinegar with two parts water
Step 2. Try using apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can improve the health of your scalp, you know! In fact, these natural ingredients can work effectively to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi that make the scalp feel dry and dandruff. In addition, apple cider vinegar is also able to clean the residue that has accumulated on your scalp.
To make it, mix 60 ml of apple cider vinegar with 250 ml of water. After that, pour the mixture into a bottle, then spray it on your hair and scalp evenly. Then, massage the solution into the scalp for three to five minutes, then rinse with warm water and wash as usual afterward
Step 3. Try using witch hazel
Witch hazel is an astringent that can reduce the build-up of residue on your scalp. To use it, you just need to soak a cotton ball in witch hazel solution and rub it on your scalp. If you want, you can also dilute one part witch hazel with two parts water, then use it to rinse your hair and then shampoo as usual.
Choose witch hazel that doesn't contain alcohol
Step 4. Make a solution consisting of a mixture of castile soap (soap made from olive oil) and baking soda
If your scalp is extremely dandruff or has excess residue build-up, you will most likely need to clean it with a slightly stronger ingredient such as castile soap and 1 tbsp. baking soda. Massage the solution into your scalp, and let it sit for about five minutes.
Rinse the solution with warm water followed by cold water until it is completely clean
Method 3 of 3: Exfoliating Scalp
Step 1. Make a scrub from brown sugar
If you feel the need to exfoliate your scalp, try making a scrub or exfoliant by mixing brown sugar, oatmeal, and conditioner. Before using it, make sure you wash your hair thoroughly first. After that, massage the scrub into the scalp in a circular motion, let stand for a few minutes, then rinse again until clean. This exfoliant is suitable for dry hair.
- To make it, mix 2 tbsp. brown sugar, 2 tbsp. oatmeal, and 2 tbsp. conditioner.
- This scrub works great for sensitive scalps.
Step 2. Make a hair mask out of cinnamon
Cinnamon has properties that can kill bacteria on your scalp. Meanwhile, baking soda is useful for cleaning the residue that has accumulated on the scalp, and olive oil works to increase moisture in the hair and scalp. After using the mask, wrap your hair with a shower cap, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. After 15 minutes, wash as usual.
- To make the mask, mix 1 tsp. baking soda, 2 tbsp. olive oil, and tsp. cinnamon powder.
- This mask works very effectively to moisturize dry hair.
Step 3. Make a scrub from baking soda
Baking soda is a natural ingredient that cleanses the scalp, while tea tree oil can help eradicate dandruff-causing bacteria. To make it, just mix 1 tbsp. baking soda and a few drops of tea tree oil to the shampoo you are using. After that, apply the mixture to your hair and don't forget to massage it into your scalp. This type of exfoliant works most effectively for dry, flaky scalp.
- Rinse the exfoliant with warm water until it's clean.
- Do not use this exfoliant on color-treated hair. Also, don't use it on a sensitive scalp because tea tree oil has the risk of triggering irritation.
Step 4. Make a scrub out of salt
When combined with olive oil, salt is an excellent exfoliant to clean dirt, dandruff, and dust that clings to the scalp. Add a squeeze of lemon so the exfoliants don't end up building up on your scalp! To make it, simply mix salt, olive oil, and salt, then massage lightly into the scalp for a few minutes. After that, rinse off the exfoliant and shampoo as usual.
- To make an exfoliant from salt, mix 2 tbsp. sea salt, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, and 2 tbsp. olive oil; mix well.
- Since this recipe contains salt and a squeeze of lemon, don't use it on a sensitive scalp.
