Hello Gorgeous,

Detoxifying your scalp and hair before shampooing is essential. I'll give you 6 Reasons:

Benefits of a Scalp Detox

1. You omit blockages by removing dead skin cells from the scalp and this helps to regenerate cell turnover promoting hair growth.

2. If your hair is oily or dry, detoxifying your scalp allows the natural sebum (oil) that the scalp naturally produces to be at a balance. 

3. It removes unnecessary weight from the hair allowing your curl pattern to spring up and bring fullness to otherwise fine, thin and lifeless hair.

4. It helps to reduce shedding and assists in balancing your scalps pH level once all of the free radicals are removed.

 Benefits of a Hair Detox

5. Your hairs natural shine will surface once you  remove any product buildup, salt from perspiration and elements from the environment by detoxifying the hair.

6. Your conditioner will now deeply penetrate the hair shaft and be more effective at bringing hydration and oxygen to your follicle.

What is the difference between a scalp detox and a hair detox?

A scalp detox is applied to dry scalp if it is in a gel or liquid form. A scalp detox is applied to wet/damp hair if it is in scrub or cream form. Gently massage the scalp gel or scrub exfoliator and let it sit on your scalp for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing and then proceed with your first shampoo. Some scalp detoxifiers contain salt or sugar, you do not want to rub this in your hair as you do not want to rough-up your cuticle layer. Be gentle when using your salt and sugar based scalp exfoliating scrubs.

A hair detox is applied to wet or damp hair, you can use a continuous mist spray bottle. Apply your detoxifying clay, charcoal or masque to the hair. You do not want to apply these to your scalp as it can cause a blockage.  Some hair detoxifiers are labeled as a shampoos. If you use a hair detoxifying shampoo you will lather the hair and sandwich your hair in-between your hands and rub your hair gently back and forth from roots to ends, let the lather soak into the hair strands for 5 to 10 minutes prior to rinsing.

How often you use a scalp detoxifier depends on the types of products you use and the season we are in. If you use heavy oils, cream leave in conditioners, curl custards, waxes, curl creams (your heavier products), you will want to detox your scalp and hair bi-weekly. If you use spray leave-in conditioners, foams/mousses, hair sprays (your lighter products), you will want to detox your scalp and hair once a month. If you are in a climate that is mostly warm/hot for the season/year, you will want to detox bi-weekly and if you are in a climate that is mostly cool/cold you will want to detox your hair and scalp monthly or bi-monthly.

Mild and Strong Scalp/Hair Detoxifiers

Your Mild Scalp Detoxifiers are your gel and liquid based scalp detoxifiers

Your Strong Scalp Detoxifiers are your salt and sugar based scrubs

Your Mild Hair Detoxifiers are your detoxifying liquid bases and Shampoos.

Your Strong Hair Detoxifiers are clays, charcoals and masque based 

When Not to Detox

• You don't want to detox your scalp just before receiving a permanent hair color or hair color that requires an activator or a bleach service that is applied to your scalp. Please talk with your favorite hair stylist.

• You don't want to detox your scalp just before receiving chemotherapy treatments since your scalp will likely be very tender.

 Beware of The Natural Exfoliator

The white sandy beach is a calming and relaxing venture. When swimming, floating or playing in the ocean water, you will either want to wear a swim cap to protect your hair or be sure to rinse your hair once you come out of the water. The salt water is good for our scalp and skin surfaces but can be harsh on our hair, remember when we use our salt or grainy scalp scrubs at home its not intended for the hair because we do not want to rough-up our cuticle layer.

Why are hair and scalp detoxifiers price-y? Hair and Scalp detoxifiers generally have less water in them which makes the product more concentrated. You definitely get more value for your dollar with exfoliators.

For My Aveda and Innersense Clients Here are my recommendations for you:

Aveda Scalp Solutions Shampoo

Aveda Scalp Solutions Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

Aveda Scalp Solutions Overnight Scalp Renewal Serum

Innersense Detox Hair Mask

Innersense True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub

*I am an Amazon Affiliate, below I have listed a few of click-able links of my favorite mild and strong scalp and hair exfoliators. Click on the links to place these items in your cart and purchase these exfoliators before your next shampoo.  I have used these products on either myself or on my clients. All of these products have over a 4 star rating on Amazon, Aveda and Innersense Sites respectively. I only recommend the best! I stand by the integrity of these clean products. If you have any questions on how to use the mentioned products, please stop-in or send me a comment in the link below.

Wishing you a good hair day everyday!

xo Rita