We all need some sort of detox once in a while. Typically this involves a specific diet or regimen that can remove toxins from your body and help you lose weight. A detox of this sort might include fasting, only drinking juices or other liquids, using herbs, or even a sauna. The idea is a short-term change in routine to help bring about healthy results, although you must be careful about making sure your detox of choice is safe.

While it may not be the official definition, detox can of course also refer to getting rid of anything toxic in your life. You can, for instance, have a friend detox where you cut out friends who are constantly bringing you down. There’s even an ex detox, where you can cut off all ties with your toxic ex, throw out memories, delete texts and pictures, etc., to cleanse your mind and life of an unhealthy relationship. Any detox is hard work, but the end goal is a happier, healthier you.

But what exactly is a scalp and hair detox? I’ll be honest with you, for a long time I was oblivious to this type of treatment. I thought that shampoo and the occasional deep conditioning treatment were enough to give my hair a boost. So if you were like me, keep on reading to find out why you need this treatment in your life.

Why Do I Need A Scalp Detox?  

Curly hair is prone to buildup on the scalp.

Who exactly can benefit from a scalp detox? Pretty much everyone, for starters. The scalp is the crucial base from which our hair sprouts. So, if we want good hair, we have to take care of our scalp. But a scalp detox is especially helpful for people who are accustomed to using hair products with low-quality ingredients or chemical toxins. A detox is a great way to rebalance your scalp. It helps get rid of buildup which will block pores and suffocate your roots, all while nourishing your head. And by removing buildup, it also helps other nourishing products reach your roots to work more effectively.

The perks of a scalp detox are quite extensive. A scalp detox will help stimulate your hair follicles to promote hair growth and help rid your scalp of acne, dandruff, and scabbing. About a week after using a scalp detox, you should already notice a difference in the texture of your hair.

What are the signs that your scalp needs a detox stat? If you’ve been experiencing hair loss, scalp pain, or scalp inflammation, or if you’ve been suffering from itchiness, oiliness, or dry follicles, you better get on this treatment fast. If your hair looks limp and lifeless or it’s clumpy and dull, your hair is begging for a scalp detox!

What Is A Hair Follicle Detox?  

A hair follicle detox is a way of massaging the scalp by brushing it or using an exfoliating scrub on it. The process helps to rid your scalp of dead skin cells, unclog your scalp’s pores, and remove any product buildup that’s accumulated in your hair. A good hair follicle detox will help you get rid of itching, dandruff, and overall irritation.

The best way to start getting rid of buildup from your scalp is to simply brush your hair. But if that’s not enough, add a scalp scrub to the mix. Using the tips of your fingers, massage the product into your scalp. This will help you exfoliate your hair follicles and scalp without making your hair knotty.

When it comes to hair follicle detoxes, there are plenty of ways to do it. You can go to a salon for a treatment, purchase a product to use at home, or even make your own. No matter which option you choose, try to use aloe vera gel, apple cider vinegar, bentonite clay, ginger, and sugar as part of the mix. These are fool-proof natural clarifying ingredients. 

30 Day Hair Detox Explained

Don’t use hair oils if on the 30 day hair detox.

On a bit of a different note, some of you might be wondering what a 30 day hair detox is. Well, it’s basically a way to cleanse your hair of any buildup by eliminating certain products from your routine. It’s a designated time to step away from heavy products, gels with polymers, silicones, and parabens. That’s right, rather than trying to fix a problem, a 30 day hair detox challenge seeks to address and prevent problems in the first place. It means one month of not putting shea butter, coconut oil, or castor oil on your hair, with the end goal of ending damaged, dry, and breaking hair.

The 30 day hair detox challenge was created by stylists Aeleise J. and Aisha S. The idea behind this detox is that we put too much product in our hair. So instead of boosting our hair, we wind up bogging it down and suffocating it. How can we possibly expect it to thrive with all the layers of oils, conditioners, and gels that we apply?!

One of the main things that our hair needs is water. And when we clog our pores, we prevent moisture from getting in. By giving your hair 30 days of freedom from things like coconut oil, shea butter, and castor oil, you can let it breathe and do its things, helping it be and look healthy.

By taking part in the actual challenge, you’ll get emails elaborating even more on the challenge and hair care. Enrolling online will let you get extra info on how to work with color and curls, which products are best for your hair, and how current participants are feeling about their hair.

Best Hair Detox Shampoo  

Allow me to clarify for you what clarifying shampoos are all about. They’re designed to clean your scalp and your hair and eliminate product buildup in the process. After all, sometimes your regular shampoo just won’t do and will leave your hair with product gunk.

The number one thing that everyone will tell you to be careful about when using a clarifying shampoo is to not dry out your hair. After all, moisture is essential for your hair’s health, and a dry scalp means itchiness and irritation. So it’s important to be smart when selecting a clarifying shampoo and to choose one that meets your hair’s needs, whether your hair has been color-treated, suffers from dandruff, or has any other special requirements based on your hair type.

If you’re in the market for a hair detox shampoo, consider the classic Head & Shoulders’ supreme detox & hydrate shampoo. It uses zinc pyrithione, coconut water, and argan oil to detox your scalp while moisturizing your hair. It’s a great option if you’re facing an itchy or flaky scalp.

Also, check out the Living proof perfect hair day triple detox shampoo. Using this clarifying shampoo once a week will give your hair and scalp a mini detox each time. The charcoal in the shampoo’s recipe helps it absorb oil, dirt, and hard-water buildup. The recipe will also help your hair repel dirt and oil to get it clean and keep it that way for longer. 

How To Detox Your Hair Naturally

Woman applying a hair mask for detox.

You don’t have to venture outside to detox your hair, you can do it from the comfort of your own home using not too many ingredients. Just follow this simple recipe and you’ll be on your way to healthier hair in no time.

For this hair detox recipe, you’ll need a cup of bentonite clay powder, a cup of pure aloe vera gel, and some apple cider vinegar.

Begin by mixing the bentonite clay, the aloe vera gel, and 8 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar together, making a smooth paste. This recipe should make for 2 portions, so apply half of the mixture to your scalp and hair. Put on a shower cap while you wait for a half-hour with the mixture on your head (make sure the hair mask does not get dry!). Then rinse the mask out with a cup of apple cider vinegar. Rest for 2-3 minutes, and then shampoo and conditioner your hair to cleanse and hydrate it. The clay penetrates deep into the scalp to help rid your hair of minerals and toxins. The added bonus is that the aloe vera gel will nourish your hair and provide it with antioxidants.

Conclusion

There’s nothing wrong with a little cleansing, especially when it comes to your hair and scalp. It’s easy to overlook the importance of a scalp and hair detox, especially as we invest so much in hair care products that we expect to keep our hair clean and healthy. Yet don’t be fooled- scalp and hair detoxes are a necessary part of life. And at least they’re easy to do!

Of course, you can always give up all hair care products and go the natural route. And if you can really do that, kudos to you! But for many of us, products are an essential part of styling and we can’t go a day without them. So it is our responsibility – nay, our duty – to do our part to bring our hair back to life.