A Guide to 'Hair & Scalp Detox'

Exfoliating the scalp is an important step of your hair care routine that often gets missed. A hair and scalp detox is one of the best ways to achieve healthy hair - boosting the movement, shine and body that comes with it. 

The hype around detox beauty is thriving - and for good reason. A deep cleanse of the scalp gives your hair much-needed TLC and a chance to refresh, treat and rebalance. Natural oils, dead skin cells and hair styling products like dry shampoos and hair sprays can cause buildup on the scalp. This buildup can clog the hair follicles which leads to flat hair and breakage. If you are experiencing breakage or dullness, then a hair detox can revive your hair and bring it back to life.

A hair and scalp detox involves deep and thorough cleansing to remove build-up; a temporary break from heat tools and styling; and the replenishment of key nutrients from within to support scalp health and encourage optimal hair growth.

Here’s our guide to a simple hair and scalp detox you can incorporate into your usual routine that will revive your mane and minimise the impact of seasonal or lifestyle factors.

Find the right scalp treatment

A nourishing scalp treatment is the first step to a hair detox ritual. These treatments contain wonderful ingredients that effectively remove buildup from the roots of the hair while supplementing the mane with essential nutrients. A gentle hair scrub or cleansing hair mask can loosen up dirt & grime, remove dead skin and excess oil, and soothe the scalp. Hair treatments can also help restore the microbiome of the scalp. Maintaining this complex microbiome can prevent issues like flaky scalp, dandruff, androgenetic alopecia and other conditions. When you are considering a scalp treatment, it’s important to find the right formula for your hair texture. A qualified hair stylist will be able to assist with this (find your closest here). 

Tip: Use the Apotecari 5-in-1 Scalp & Shampoo Brush to massage your scalp and improve blood circulation. A scalp & shampoo brush can help the treatment seep deeper into the scalp and strands than the fingers, leaving you with cleaner, healthier-looking hair.

Detoxifying shampoo and conditioner

Detox shampoos take deep cleansing a step further. Detox or clarifying shampoos have special formulations that lift buildup, dirt, oils and other impurities from the hair. Using a scalp and shampoo brush during this process can cleanse the scalp better than fingers alone, particularly in areas such as the crown of back of the head which can suffer from insufficient cleansing. Follow up with a high-quality conditioner to put moisture back into your strands. Try using a scalp and shampoo brush to gently detangle and ensure even application.  We recommend using a detox shampoo and conditioner that not only cleanses your hair but also replenishes it with moisture.  

Suspend heat styling

You might be tempted to bring out the blow dryer but give it a skip this time. Heat damage makes hair more susceptible to breakage, frizz and dryness. Letting your hair dry naturally reduces the loss of essential oils and moisture. Air drying keeps the hair strands in shape and the texture smooth.

Tip: We recommend using an old t-shirt or soft towel to soak up the extra moisture and leaving your hair as is

Detox at least once a month

Keeping up with a monthly detox routine can be a beneficial step as part of a healthy hair and scalp care regimen.  Seasonal changes impact the hair and scalp throughout the year so a regular detoxing procedure can revive and replenish your mane as well as offering preventative benefits. The cooler months call for a hair and scalp detox to reduce flakiness, maintain hydration and encourage circulation. With artificial heating and a reduced intake of liquids during the cooler months, our hair becomes more susceptible to breakage and dry skin which results in dull and limp hair. In the warmer months scalp has a tendency to overproduce sebum and sweat. Combine that with pollutants and environmental elements like salt water, sand, chlorine, dust and sun damage and it is the perfect storm for congested pores, oily scalp and potential flakiness.

Depending on your hair type, texture and the frequency of styling product usage, you may have to detox more than once a month. Speak to your stylist, listen to your mane and do a detox whenever you feel like your hair needs an instant refresh.

Upgrade your detox ritual

Working from within, Apotecari's  Crowning Glory is the perfect partner to solve your mane woes. This hydrating frizz-fighter is scientifically formulated to balance scalp oils, nourish and replenish your strands from within.  The hair and scalp loving ingredients including vital plant-based omegas, anti-inflammatories and vitamins packs a punch to nurture hair health from the inside out. A regular hair detox ritual + Crowning Glory^® is the answer for gorgeous, glossy hair and a balanced, flake-free scalp.