Ever shampoo your hair and notice you still have build up on your scalp, or your hair still seems heavy and limp? There are a few reasons why this happens, we’ll go over the why and how to clear up your scalp and get that bouncy shiny hair with effective shampooing.
1. Not washing frequently enough. Everyone has a set shampoo frequency based off either convenience around their hairstyle, or what their hair and scalp needs. There is no one rule that fits everyone’s needs, however depending on one’s scalp and hair type shampooing twice weekly, once a week or bi weekly is most ideal for proper health and hygiene. Our scalp sweats, produces oils, attracts dirt and creates build up over time. The longer you let impurities fester, you can feed bacteria and yeast which then turns into inflammation on the scalp. This visibly appears as build up (a coating on the scalp that may flake, crumble or scab). A lot of people think they have scalp conditions and need detoxes and medicated shampoos when really all that is needed is more frequent shampoos. If you wear your hair in styles that cannot be washed every 1-2 weeks, I don’t recommend wearing that style.
2. You may need 2-3 shampoos. If you are someone who doesn’t wash very frequently, produce a lot of oil or use heavy products that builds up on the scalp and hair, one shampoo may not be enough. The amount of build up, or time between washes should determine the number of washes to properly cleanse the hair. I like to do the squeak test, if you stroke your hair along the top, and inside the hair (between the crown and nape area) and the hair glides, there’s probably still residue, if it squeaks you know it’s clean. I always wash the hair twice, from experience, the first wash removes the build up and the second wash actually cleanses the hair. Some people need a third wash to truly get the hair clean, but this is more geared towards those washing every 4+ weeks.
3. You need to scrub your scalp. Shampooing should focus on the scalp first, because this is where the oils and build up are prominent. We also want to cleanse to scalp to prevent the build up that can feed bacteria, and yeast which later turns into inflammation. Some people are too gentle with their scrubbing, or don’t stub the scalp at all (It is important not to scratch, you don’t want to create abrasions that can scar) but use your finger tips or a scrubber to actually work the shampoo and effectively cleanse the scalp. Some build up on the scalp may need some light exfoliating. I like the old school method of using a fine tooth comb and lightly scratching the scalp to gently lift what is ready to come up. Doing this prior to a good scrub will thoroughly cleanse the scalp.
4. You may have a scalp condition. Conditions like dandruff, scalp psoriasis and dermatitis can result in stubborn build up on the scalp that needs medicated shampoo like Head and Shoulders, Nizarol (over the counter) or Ketoconazol (prescribed by a physician). Even with medicated shampoo, some cases need multiple washes (twice a week) before the scalp is completely clear. It’s important to know that forcing an inflamed scalp to be clear can cause more irritation and cause scarring which you want to avoid so your follicles aren’t damaged. If you know you have a scalp condition, be gentle with exfoliating, shampooing to only remove what’s ready, and over multiple washes your scalp will clear without any additional irritation, inflammation, abrasions or scarring.
5. Your scalp is dry. After shampooing, you’re seeing flaking from dryness although your scalp is clean. Dehydrated skin can experience tightness and flaking which can make you feel like your hair was not thoroughly cleansed when it was. It’s important to distinguish the difference between flaking, and inflammation because treatment will look different. Dry scalp can be treated with cooler water, as hot water dries out the skin. A moisturizing/hydrating serum or Kayhairapy Oil. Protecting the skin barrier promotes moisture retention, and helps lock in moisture. Be sure not to over clarify as this can also dry the hair and scalp, once a month is recommended for clarifying the hair.
I hope these five tips help you better understand why your washes don’t leave you feeling clean. Applying some of these tips to your wash day can help promote your healthiest scalp and hair in addition to promoting faster hair growth. Properly cleansing the hair and scalp is essential to healthy hair and should be implemented in your regimen.
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