We’re always talking about curls, but what about what's at the root of it all: your scalp? It’s the foundation that sets the tone for how your hair grows. If your scalp is healthy, chances are your strands will be too.

So, how do you care for your scalp to get the best out of your curls? Let’s get into it.

What is the scalp, really?

The scalp is essentially skin, but with some key differences that make it special. It’s made up of five layers, one of which contains your hair follicles and sebaceous (oil-producing) glands. The others include things like connective tissues, a fibrous layer linking to the muscles, to keep everything working as it should.

Home to around 100,000 hair follicles, the scalp is always in a cycle of growth, rest, and shedding. Because of its structure, the scalp is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your skin, so it requires extra care.

Think of scalp care as health care. When you take care of your scalp, you’re supporting your hair and your overall well-being.

Signs of an Unhealthy Scalp

The major culprit of an unhealthy scalp is build up.

Build up is the accumulation of dirt, oils, and leftover residue from hair care products that cling to your scalp and hair. Over time, this can lead to a greasy, sticky mess... not exactly the look you’re going for.

Buildup comes in a few different forms:

Product build up

Build up can come from things like shampoos, conditioners, stylers, and leave-ins. If you’re layering on multiple products but not clarifying your scalp often enough, all that residue starts to collect at the root and clog your pores. It's like your scalp can't breathe!

A few clarifying shampoos that can help clear things up are Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo (this contains a sulfate, so is the strongest in the list), No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo by Olaplex, Malibu C Un-Do-Goo, or the Gentle Clarifying Shampoo from Bounce Curl.

Mineral build up

Mineral build up usually happens due to hard water, especially if the water you use at home isn't filtered, or from frequent swimming.

A great option for tackling hard water buildup is the Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo and Wellness Treatment!

Skin build up

Since your scalp is skin, it naturally goes through cell turnover. Those dead skin cells can sometimes stick around instead of shedding. When that happens, you end up with flaking, itching, and sometimes even inflammation or red skin on your scalp.

How do you know if you’re dealing with build up?

It can be tricky figuring out what’s going on with your scalp. 

Sometimes what looks like dandruff or feels like dryness could be build up. Here are a few simple ways to tell:

• Greasy or waxy roots: If your roots feel sticky or leave a shiny residue on your fingers even after washing, you might be dealing with product or oil build up.

• Itchy scalp: A sudden itch could mean trapped oils, products, or dead skin that haven’t been properly cleaned away. If you clarify your hair and the itchiness remains, it may not be build up that you are dealing with and you may want to check with your doctor or dermatologist in case something else is going on.

• Flakes That Aren’t Dandruff:  Build up flakes are usually white or gray and less itchy than dandruff.

• Flat roots: Buildup can weigh your hair down, especially near the roots, making it look flat and feel limp.

• Unusual Odor: If your scalp smells off even shortly after washing, it’s could be due to product build up that’s now become a breeding ground for bacteria.

• Bumps or breakouts: Just like clogged pores on your face, build up can cause breakouts or small bumps on your scalp.

• Slow growth or extra shedding: When your scalp’s pores are clogged, it can throw off your hair growth cycle.

5 Ways to Improve Scalp Health

Your scalp is pretty self-sufficient; it’s designed to take care of itself. The key is not getting in its way and supporting your scalp in doing its job. 

Here's how:

1. Double Cleanse

If you wear makeup, you’re probably familiar with double cleansing: going in twice to make sure every last bit is removed. Your scalp deserves that same level of attention. 

Shampooing regularly and the right way is important, but don’t stop after just one wash if you are prone to build up. Go in for a second cleanse to make sure you’re removing all the product residue.

While you're at it, take time to gently massage your scalp with your fingertips or a scalp massaging shampoo brush. Those soft, circular motions not only feel relaxing but also help improve blood circulation to your hair follicles, promoting healthier hair growth over time.

Shampoos like the Innersense Hair Renew Scalp Hairbath, Curlsmith Wash & Scrub Detox Shampoo or the Malibu Scalp Wellness Shampoo are especially great for scalp care.  

2. Exfoliate Your Scalp

Sometimes, dead skin cells don’t shed as they should, especially if the scalp isn’t being stimulated enough. When that happens, they can just flake off and settle on your scalp, creating a layer of dead skin and sebum. That’s where exfoliating comes in.

Just like your skin, your scalp needs exfoliation to help with flakiness, encourage blood flow, and keep things feeling healthy and fresh. 

To exfoliate, you could use the Curl Warehouse Massaging Shampoo Brush, paired with the Innersense True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub or the VERB Ghost Exfoliating Scalp Nectar. Curlsmith's Wash & Scrub Detox Shampoo has a scrubby texture to it as well.

Be gentle, though: scrubbing too hard can cause tiny tears in the scalp and irritate your skin.

3. Don’t Keep Your Curls Wet for Too Long

Letting your curls stay wet for too long can create a breeding ground for bacteria. This is definitely not good for your scalp or hair health.

To help your curls dry faster (without sacrificing definition), try using a diffuser like the Curl Warehouse Great Big Diffuser. It spreads airflow evenly so your hair dries quicker and holds its shape. An added bonus is that it will also help your gel cast form harder and faster, helping your style last as long as possible.

Prefer to air dry? Moonstone Seven's The Hair Plop is a great alternative. It helps speed up drying time and leaves your curls feeling amazing and well defined!

4. Moisturize Your Scalp

This is all about giving your scalp the love it deserves. But moisturizing doesn’t mean slathering on heavy oils and butter or using actual moisturizer on your scalp skin: that can actually cause build up and block your follicles.

What your scalp really needs is lightweight, targeted hydration and nourishing formulas that keep your scalp balanced without weighing down your curls. 

Look out for treatments like Malibu Scalp Therapy or Moonstone Seven Miracle Moisture Nourishing Scalp and Hair Oil.

Serums are also a win for healthy roots. Try the Rosemary & Biotin Strengthening Scalp Oil, Curlsmith Scalp Stimulating Booster, or Olaplex No. 0.5 Scalp Serum and don’t forget to work them into your scalp.

5. Protective Styles 

Protective styles are great for both your hair and scalp. They give your scalp a much-needed break from constant styling, pulling, and manipulation.

But here’s the catch: if styles like braids, cornrows, or updos are installed too tightly, they can create tension that can lead to breakage, hair loss, or even traction alopecia - and that’s definitely not what we want.

Make sure your styles are done gently to keep your hair and scalp as healthy as possible. Avoid leaving them in for too long, and try not to wear them back-to-back. Your scalp needs time to breathe between installs.

For maintenance of your scalp while your hair is in a protective style, use a gentle shampoo or a scalp refresh product like Root Refresh from Boucleme.

Need help figuring out your routine or want personalized product recommendations? Send us an email at help@curlwarehouse.com or visit us in store!