Our hair is exposed to numerous impurities on a daily basis. From styling product residue to environmental pollutants and excess natural oil, all kinds of debris builds up on our scalp and hair, damaging them over time and causing unnecessary hair loss [1][2]. That’s why many hair stylists support the idea of getting a scalp and hair detox on a regular basis. But how do you detoxify hair and does it work?
Scientists rightfully advise scepticism around unproven and unnecessary detoxification treatments. But an effective hair detox — thoroughly cleaning, nourishing, and protecting your hair from root to tip — can help you get healthier hair and keep it that way. However, the outcome depends on what the detox and cleansing process involves. Keep reading this article to learn all about:
A hair detox is a process that involves a deep scalp cleansing and moisturising, as well as repairing and nourishing your strands. This is usually done to remove the buildup of dirt, environmental pollutants, hard water and residual hair styling products, as well as to treat and repair damaged hair. And it can indeed help you get healthy hair.
Normally, the term “detox” refers to the elimination of toxins from an organism or a body part. Your hair can store trace amounts of toxic substances the body has been exposed to (e.g. heavy metals, certain medications or illegal drugs). However, they are rarely sufficient to cause harm and they cannot normally be removed with cosmetic hair and scalp treatments.
But your hair and scalp are more likely to be damaged by harsh chemical buildup on their surface than by toxins accumulating inside them. These can also contribute to common scalp problems, such as dandruff or a dry and itchy scalp. So when talking about hair and scalp detox, we will only be referring to removing harmful substances from the surface of your hair and scalp and taking steps to help repair any damage they have caused.
Different stylists offer a variety of advice about how to detox your hair and scalp at home most effectively. However, there are usually 3 main parts involved in this process: deep hair and scalp cleansing, nourishing and moisturising, and stimulating healthy hair growth. Here is the best science-backed advice for following these steps as effectively as possible.
It is a common myth that washing your hair every day will make it fall out. In fact, people who wash their hair 5-6 times a week report having less dandruff, scalp dryness and odour, as well as stronger, fuller hair [3].
You don’t need an extra-strength detox shampoo to peel off layers of buildup from your scalp in a single wash, while also stripping off your protective natural oil. You can achieve even better results by using a gentle detoxifying shampoo and conditioner more frequently, at least for a time (the properties of these hair care products will be discussed at greater length in a dedicated section later in this article).
Just like we are all different, so is our hair. Some of us have straight, fine strands, which are prone to dryness and flatness. Others have curly or coily strands which can get frizzy and difficult to manage.
Different hair types can benefit from care products containing ingredients designed to tackle their specific strand challenges. Some are extra-moisturising, some are volumising, and some prevent frizz or help repair damaged hair.
Moreover, higher maintenance hair types (e.g. Type 3 and Type 4) often require more daily attention and extra steps in your hair care routine. If you are unsure what kind of hair you have, take this short, simple and accurate hair type quiz and find the right care recommendations for you.
If you have a manageable scalp condition, such as a mild form of dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, you can often successfully treat it at home. Your best option is to use a medicated shampoo that works well for yeast infections on the scalp, such as Nizoral shampoo for hair.
Alternatively, you can opt for natural remedies with antimicrobial properties, such as tea tree oil for hair [4] or peppermint oil for hair. Peppermint oil also has the advantage that it contains menthol, which can soothe scalp itching and inflammation [5]. Improving your scalp health can reduce unnecessary hair thinning and promote overall healthier hair growth.
You can mix your favourite cleansing and moisturising natural remedies to create an effective hair and scalp detox mask. Here are some examples of ingredients you can use to this purpose:
Here is an example of a deep-cleaning and conditioning detox mask recipe that you can easily make at home:
Apple cider vinegar, bentonite clay and coconut oil detox mask
Ingredients:
Preparation and use:
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl until you have a paste. If the consistency is too watery, add a bit more Bentonite clay. If it is too thick, add a bit more water.
Spread the mixture on your scalp, rubbing gently. Use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to apply it through your hair from roots to ends. Cover your head with a plastic shower cap and let the mask act for 20-30 minutes.
Wash your hair with a gentle detoxifying shampoo and conditioner. If your hair is very dry and damaged, you can put some more coconut oil on your head and leave it overnight. (Don’t leave masks that contain apple cider vinegar on for longer than 30 minutes, as it could irritate your scalp).
The best hair growth oils can offer numerous hair health benefits, such as keeping your strands moisturised and nourished, increasing their strength and elasticity, reducing oxidative stress damage and preventing hair breakage.
Moreover, some of them are even proven to help regulate your hair growth cycle or even increase hair density in conditions such as androgenetic alopecia.
If your strands are too severely damaged, there may be little you can do to save them, so you may have to part with some of them. Getting a shorter haircut (e.g. a pixie cut or a stylish bob) can remove a significant portion of your dry, deteriorated locks and it can help you get more volume in your hair.
If you don’t want to part with too much length, getting rid of your split ends can also help, as they pose a risk of hair breakage and give your strands a frizzy, unkempt appearance.
Using a handheld silicone head massager can help gently exfoliate the scalp, removing resistant buildup. Moreover, research shows that when performed regularly, scalp massages can stimulate hair growth.
A daily 10-20-minute head massage can help curb hair thinning and increase strand density and thickness (however, it will take about five months before you can see the results) [8]. That is because it can improve blood flow to your hair follicles and may activate some genes and potassium channels that help produce healthy hair [9].
Moreover, scalp massages can be very relaxing, lowering stress and anxiety that can cause hair loss [10].
Red light therapy for hair growth is a form of low-level laser therapy that uses red or near-infrared beams of light to optimise scalp cell functioning, improving hair growth. Studies show that this treatment can promote hair health and improve strand density and thickness [11]. You can get this therapy in the comfort of your own home by using a scientifically proven laser hair growth cap [12][13].
A successful hair and scalp detox is not only about what you do but also about what you stop doing. Harmful substance buildup is only one of the things that can damage your hair and scalp. Excessive heat styling can also dry out your strands and make them break easily and it can be very difficult to fix heat-damaged hair. Frequent use of bleach and hair dye can cause hair loss by penetrating into the hair shaft and causing structural damage.
Furthermore, prolonged wearing of tight hairstyles such as braids or ponytails can cause hair loss by triggering traction alopecia. So during your scalp detox, be sure to give your hair time to heal and recover from damaging styling practices.
There are several main benefits to thoroughly cleaning your scalp and providing it with extra nourishment. Here are some of the most important:
People usually say they need a scalp and hair detox when they have been using heavy hair styling products for prolonged periods, or have been exposed to excessive environmental pollution. In these cases, your scalp may feel dry and itchy, and your hair may feel like straw.
This can be caused by harsh chemicals in hair styling products or by oxidative stress from environmental pollution. If this is the case, you can probably benefit from a deep-cleaning and nourishing treatment.
Many shampoos claim to be designed specifically for hair detox. Some list ingredients such as apple cider vinegar for hair, or green tea oil. But many boast mysterious, proprietary (and usually scientifically unproven) formulations that promise to achieve a number of ambitious goals, from restoring your hair health from the first use to removing metal traces from within your hair fibres to blocking dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Under these circumstances, the best hair and scalp detoxifying shampoo is one that is transparent about its ingredient list, and contains gentle but effective detergents and natural extracts that are scientifically proven to improve your hair health.
Of course, as mentioned above, the formula should also contain no harsh chemicals that can dry or damage your hair.
While a hair detox can act as a plaster on already damaged strands, making some lifestyle changes can bring significant long-term benefits to your hair. Here are some of the most important:
Your hair needs a variety of vitamins, minerals and protein to grow luscious and strong. A good diet for healthy hair can ensure you are getting enough of these nutrients, such as vitamins B, C, D or E, iron and zinc. However, vitamin deficiencies can cause hair loss, as well as dull, dry, fragile strands. So even if you are trying to lose weight, it is a good idea to ensure that you are still keeping your hair follicles well-nourished.
If you have a detox in mind, cutting back on smoking can be a great place to start. A single cigarette can contain over 4000 toxic substances [6]. And while many of these can cause harm to your body, they can also affect your hair.
A meta-analysis of 16 studies found that smoking can cause hair loss and damage in several ways. It can increase oxidative stress in your body, reduce blood flow to your hair follicles, disrupt your hair growth cycle, promote chronic inflammation and worsen the symptoms of male pattern baldness [7].
If you are concerned that your hair may be damaged beyond a home detox, or you’ve noticed the first signs of hair thinning and balding, it is time to see a hair specialist. Book a consultation today with one of our dedicated hair doctors. They will carefully assess the condition of your hair and scalp and recommend scientifically proven, personalised treatments.
Our experienced trichologists can also offer valuable insights and advice for choosing the best care products for your specific hair type and help you steer clear of ineffective and potentially harmful formulations. So don’t hesitate to take this first step towards healthier, stronger, more beautiful hair.
If you would like to find out more about scalp and hair detox, the following answers to frequently asked questions are a good place to start:
The optimal frequency of a hair and scalp detox largely depends on your hair type and the amount of hair products, scalp oil and pollutants your hair has been exposed to. Normally, you may benefit from getting one every month.
However, if your hair is very dry, you can do so once every 6-8 weeks (or be sure to deep-condition your hair after deep-cleaning it). Overall, the best thing you can do is to maintain good hair health habits, use the right hair products and clean your hair and scalp frequently, so you don’t reach the point where a detox is overdue.
An ideal scalp cleanser contains ingredients that bind to the dirt, oil and residual hair product particles and gently remove them from your scalp. To this end, castile soap may be a good choice. It is made of vegetable oils such as coconut oil, jojoba oil or avocado oil, which can help it lather, clean and moisturise your hair.
Bentonite clay is also known for its cleansing properties and has been traditionally used to clean hair in the Middle East since ancient times. It sticks to dirt particles, which helps remove them and may also help treat scalp wounds or scalp eczema (though more evidence is needed) [14]. Apple cider vinegar is also a popular ingredient, thanks to its cleansing, antioxidant, antimicrobial and pH-balancing properties [15][16].
Yes, many hair salons offer hair and scalp detox services. Most of them promise to use professional-grade hair products designed specifically for this purpose. However, in most cases, there are no studies to demonstrate that these products are superior to commercially available ones. There is a good chance that home treatment with regular hair products of good quality, supported by improved hair-care practices, may be as effective and significantly less costly than a salon treatment.
Moreover, while certain procedures performed in salons – such as keratin treatments for hair (e.g. Brazilian blowouts) – can have some positive aesthetic effects (increased hair shine), they can also contain harmful chemicals which could harm your hair and overall health in the long run [24].
Abundant anecdotal evidence on the internet claims you can lower the levels of certain alcohol markers used for abstinence monitoring from your hair using such cleansing products. Moreover, there are claims that even tests for illegal drugs can be evaded in a similar fashion.
However, it is not recommended to rely on hair detox products for passing a drug or alcohol test that involves analysing samples from your hair. There is a very small body of evidence that shows certain detoxifying shampoos may alter alcohol marker concentrations in vitro to some extent [17][18].
However, there is insufficient evidence that they can, remove alcohol markers from the hair of living people. Moreover, the variety of commercially available formulations is too great to test. And scientists warn that some of the hair detox products claimed to have this effect may be unregulated and potentially harmful to your hair [19].
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