Most hair gripes, whether it’s flakes and irritation or lack of volume and oiliness, can be traced back to scalp sensitivity. Hair follicles in this zone are vulnerable to damage from a lot of different factors—everything from stress to hydration to pollution to an intensely sweating exercise routine can impact your overall scalp health.
The most obvious sign of scalp sensitivity is dandruff, which results from the overgrowth of naturally occurring yeast on the skin, and, surprisingly affects nearly 75 percent of the population worldwide at some point in their lives. It’s a year-round issue but often flares up with the change of seasons. The combination of dry indoor air coupled with wildly fluctuating temperatures outside can trigger pesky flakes and a tight, itchy sensation, as your scalp attempts to adapt to the environment. Oily residue from sweat or styling products can also exacerbate dandruff. Hair loss, on the other hand, often stems from stress, hormonal shifts, illness and abuse from hot tools and chemical treatments.
The good news? There’s a lot you can do to improve your scalp, and in turn, your hair. Just like any skin condition (your scalp is skin, after all), sticking to a consistent routine in important. But if washing with a dandruff shampoo or exploring the “hair loss” aisle makes you want to cringe, fear not: The treatment options have come a long way. A new wave of smart, stylish scalp-focused brands is replacing harsh, medicinal ingredients with gentle-but-effective alternatives, modern textures and appealing packaging. In other words: Scalp health has been given a wellness-inspired makeover.
Here, an 8-step scalp routine for calming relief and good hair days.
Step 1: Consider a Pre-Shampoo Mask to Prep Your Scalp
Regular shampoo alone can only do so much for your scalp—most types are either too gentle to remove build-up or too stripping for dry, sensitive types. That’s where a pre-shampoo comes in. Slather it on first to prime and protect your scalp so whatever you apply next works better. Prose’s formula is customized to your concerns with ingredients like soothing eucalyptus or oil-absorbing kale extract, and is meant to be used with a frequency that matches your hair type (usually weekly or every two weeks). Let it sit for a while (30 minutes if you can spare it), rinse off and shampoo as usual.
Step 2: Get a More Effective Shampoo
If you have mild to severe dandruff, you’ll want a medicated shampoo. Jupiter’s contains antimicrobial zinc pyrithione, a FDA-approved active ingredient that inhibits the growth of scalp fungus, along with hydrating algae extract and moisturizing coconut oil. The result is a lather that doesn’t sting or smell funky. Put it into rotation three to four times per week to start—you can up the frequency if you’re still flaking or oily or decrease if you feel dry. (Your scalp can take up to two weeks to adjust and find its balance).
Step 3: Exfoliate Weekly to Banish Flakes and Residue
A thorough (but not abrasive!) scrub can really clear your scalp, removing any stubborn product residue or dead skin that can get trapped in pores and hair follicles, leading to breakouts and thinning hair. This highly-rated scrub—spiked with Himalayan pink salt crystals, rosehip and moringa oils—doubles as your shampoo and has a non-gritty mousse-like texture that reviewers say calms even “extremely sensitive” types and doesn’t leave any annoying specks in your hair.
Step 4: Seal in Moisture with a Scalp Oil
Think of this like a face serum but for your head—its packed with healing natural oils that absorb easily (aloe vera, babassu, caster, chia seed) to moisturize and repair the scalp while also taming frizz and adding non-greasy shine to the lengths of your hair. Spread a few drops between your palms, massage it into your scalp and strands, then let it sit—for either 15 minutes or overnight for a more intensive weekly treatment.
Step 5: Refresh on the Go with a Root Spray
Mist on this no-rinse spray when you don’t have time to shampoo but still want to refresh your scalp and absorb oil. It’s formulated with clarifying apple cider vinegar and micellar water—the same gentle cleansing agents found in makeup removers that cut through grease without drying out skin. Fans comment on how the instant “rinse” is great post-workout or to stretch more time in between showers.
Step 6: Apply a Soothing Mask as Needed
The beauty of this mask, which can be used weekly—after shampooing in place of conditioner—is that it hydrates your scalp without weighing down hair or creating dulling residue. The purifying blend of charcoal and plant oils eradicates flakes and reviewers call out how it goes on with a cooling sensation that “feels amazing.”
Step 7: Tone up Your Scalp
Dermarollers, wheeled instruments studded with tiny needles, prick the skin to stimulate collagen growth and circulation. This device does just that—for your scalp. Roll it over your scalp in sections, spending five seconds on each, to boost blood flow and unclog pores. If needles make your squeamish, take comfort: As one reviewer says, “I was nervous about the micro-needles, but [the device] really feels more like a scalp massage.”
Step 8: Finish with a Tension-Taming Massage
This clever jade comb is inspired by gua sha facials, which involve gliding a flat stone along the contours of your face, to lift, tone and relax tension. That same ritual can benefit your scalp, too, helping to promote healing and boost circulation. Massage in a scalp oil first (to provide some slip for the stone), and then “comb” your head, using long strokes across the scalp, working from the back to the front of your head.
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