Are you noticing more buildup on your scalp than normal? Here are seven simple things you can try at home to banish that annoying scalp buildup for good.
When scalp buildup accumulates, it’s hard not to notice. This irritating condition results from several things. Such as excess oil, dirt, skin cells, and hair products sitting on your scalp and piling on top of each other.
Scalp buildup causes flaking, itchiness, redness, and is just downright annoying. Which is why it’s time to put a stop to it once and for all!
By adding a few extra steps to your beauty routine, you will get to the root of the problem and put an end to it from the source. Here are seven easy things you can start doing right now to get rid of scalp buildup for good.
Find the Right Shampoo for You
Everyone’s hair is unique, but there’s a shampoo out there that’s perfect for yours.
Shampoo cleans your scalp, so it’s essential to find the one that works magic for you. It has a lot to do with your hair type.
If you have an oily scalp, avoid hydrating shampoos, and choose formulas for volumizing or strengthening instead.
But if your scalp is on the dry side, look for shampoos that are hydrating or smoothing and avoid ones that promote volume or strength. Those only strip protective oils from your scalp, drying it out more.
Choosing the right shampoo for your hair ensures you are getting the best clean when you wash your hair.
Along with your regular shampoo, a clarifying shampoo is an extra-strength way to break up dirt and oil on your scalp for the more stubborn buildup. It’s more aggressive than your everyday shampoo, so you should only use it once a month.
Wash Your Hair on a Regular Basis
Keep your hair washed to prevent buildup before it happens.
This is especially important if you use many hair products daily, as they are one of the leading causes of scalp buildup. Oily scalps need the same level of attention, with proper shampooing every day or every other day.
Focus on your scalp and scrub gently, so you don’t cause your hair to break or leave yourself with sores on your scalp.
When you’re washing your hair, try to avoid putting conditioner directly on your scalp. It’s for taking care of the rest of your hair while your shampoo cleans your roots.
Conditioner could cause more scalp buildup if you use it on your scalp, which doesn’t do you any good.
Keep Your Hair Tangle Free
Get a good brush and use it as often as necessary to keep your hair detangled.
What do tangles have to do with scalp buildup?
Tangles create texture, which gives dirt more surface are at cling onto. Excess dirt in your hair means more buildup on your scalp. Brushing your hair keeps dirt to a minimum between washes.
Hold onto the top of your hair and work from the ends to the roots in sections. That way, you keep from irritating your scalp and are far less likely to break your hair from tugging on it.
Try an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Apple cider vinegar has a ton of health benefits, even for your hair and scalp.
It’s acidic, so it breaks through scalp buildup with ease. Apple cider vinegar is also anti-bacterial and balances the pH of your scalp.
There are a few different schools of thought on how to dilute apple cider vinegar to keep it from burning your head and stripping your hair. The most commonly suggested ratio is four or five parts water to one part apple cider vinegar.
So if you use a full cup of water, only mix in 1/4 of a cup of apple cider vinegar or less.
Rinse your hair with the mixture, let it sit for two to five minutes, and then clean it out.
If your hair is on the oily side, try the rinse after your shampoo, but only when your buildup is really bad. For dry hair, it’s best to use after conditioner or a hair mask instead of shampoo.
Or Clarify Your Scalp with Lemon Juice
Lemon juice has a similar pH to apple cider vinegar, making it great for ridding your scalp of excess oils and dandruff. It’s a fantastic alternative if you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand or you’d prefer something fresh for your hair.
Mix 1/4 of a cup of fresh lemon juice with one cup of water. Then simply put it on your hair, leave for three to five minutes, and rinse it out.
There’s nothing to it!
Because it is acidic and will dry your scalp and hair out, only use this rinse twice a week at the most. It will rid your scalp of that nasty buildup and leave your hair with that lemon-fresh scent.
Give Baking Soda a Chance
Everyone knows baking soda is the cure-all for every problem.
Baking soda naturally breaks through scalp buildup and lifts it away from your hair. Even the most stubborn dirt and debris don’t stand a chance against this powerhouse ingredient.
Mix some water into your baking soda until it forms a paste. Scrub it gently onto your scalp to work it into the skin, leave it for a few minutes, and rinse it out.
Make sure you follow this method with some shampoo to clean everything out of your hair.
If you prefer to create a rinse, use just one tablespoon of baking soda in one or two cups of water. Rinse your hair with the mixture before shampooing. It may not work out as much buildup as the scrubbing method but it will still do you some good.
Exfoliate Scalp Buildup Away
A scalp scrub works just like exfoliating your skin, clearing out any excess dirt and oil from your skin.
The only difference is that the skin is on your head!
There are plenty of scalp scrubs out here for you to try. If none of the ones on the shelf look like winners, you can always make a DIY scalp scrub at home to fight your scalp buildup.
Scalp scrubs mostly benefit people with oily scalps, but anyone with excess buildup can use one to kick it to the curb.
In Conclusion
There’s no reason you have to live with annoying buildup on your scalp. It doesn’t matter how many hair products you use daily or how oily your hair gets the day after your shower.
It’s time to take your scalp back!
Using the methods above, you will see changes fast. Once you find the perfect fix for your hair, you’ll finally be free of that nasty scalp buildup for good!
[Author Bio]
Adam Marshall is a freelance writer who specializes in all things apartment organization, real estate, and college advice. He currently works with The Verge Asheville to help them with their online marketing.
