How Often Should I Use a Scalp Cleanser?

Jun 11, 2021 by Better Not Younger

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As the location where your skin and hair unite, your scalp is unique. Many women overlook this part of their bodies, but regular exfoliation is mandatory to achieve healthy, lustrous hair.

Shampooing cleans your scalp to a point; however, a more intensive detox done regularly will help you fortify your hair follicles and bolster your scalp's health by eliminating:

Excess oils
Product buildup
Dead skin cells
Dirt and debris

How often you use a scalp cleanser will depend on several factors (i.e., hair type and condition), but you should generally do it every seven to 10 shampoos.

How Does a Scalp Cleanser Work?

Shampoo cleans your hair and scalp using detergents known as surfactants. Surfactants work by reducing water's surface tension, allowing dirt and oils to be pulled into the water and washed down the drain.

Scalp cleansers don't rely on surfactants. They must work differently to get rid of stubborn impurities that shampoos leave behind.

Scalp cleansers operate by:

Dissolving buildup — Acid-based substances break down product residue and dead skin cell layers that can accumulate and stick to your skin. This is also known as chemical exfoliation.
Physical exfoliation — Some scalp cleansers contain rough-textured ingredients like salt or sugar. Others are applied using a stiff-bristled brush or massaging tool to scour away impurities, a process is known as physical exfoliation.
Absorbing unwanted substances — An absorbent ingredient like activated charcoal is frequently used to draw out impurities from deep within your dermis. Dirt, oil and toxins are pulled into the activated charcoal's porous surface through its negative electrical charge.

What Happens if I Don’t Clean My Scalp Enough?

In the quest for a healthier mane, many women dismiss their scalps and focus instead only on treatments designed for the hair itself.

If you neglect to exfoliate and deep-clean, you may encounter issues with your hair and scalp's health and appearance.

Adverse effects of a dirty scalp include:

Itching and irritation — Toxins trapped against your skin or under the surface will irritate your dermis and cause itching and discomfort.

Inflammation — Your skin may be red or painful to the touch, a sign your tissues are inflamed in response to the presence of impurities. This is an immune system response meant to ward off infection.

Flaking — When dead skin cells and product residue continue building up unchecked, they'll eventually fall from your scalp as unsightly white flakes or dandruff.

Greasy hair — Sebaceous glands in your follicles produce sebum oil, a natural moisturizer that gives hair its shine and resiliency. However, too much sebum can build up at your roots, making your hair droop and appear greasy if it's not washed away.

Blocked follicles — The tiny pocket-like follicles in your scalp can get blocked by toxins and product buildup. This makes it challenging, if not impossible, to grow thick, healthy hair.

Hair fall — Vibrant hair can't develop from an unhealthy scalp. Over time, your strands will likely become weaker and thinner, eventually falling out prematurely.

What if I Clean My Scalp Too Often?

A clean scalp contributes significantly to sustaining a well-balanced hair biome, though scalp cleansers are meant only for occasional use. Relying on them to maintain a squeaky, clean feeling can bring its own set of consequences:

A red, painful scalp — Scrubbing your scalp is a great way to remove excess residue and dead skin cells. However, too much exfoliation could lead to the accidental sloughing off of healthy, living skin cells leading to pain and visible redness.
Dry skin — Your scalp needs a specific level of sebum oil to maintain the proper moisture balance and protect your hair from damage. If you cleanse too often, you'll likely wash away the oils you need.

Brittle hair — Scrubbing off too much sebum can also cause prolonged dryness and vulnerability. You may notice your hair turning weak and brittle, with visible breakage, split ends or frizz.

New Dawn Activated Charcoal Scalp Cleanser

Better Not Younger’s New Dawn Activated Charcoal Scalp Cleanser was formulated to safely and gently clean your scalp. Use it once or twice per week, depending on your individual needs to experience the difference a clean scalp can make!

New Dawn cleanses on multiple fronts, including:

Chemical exfoliation — Besides activated charcoal, New Dawn includes Alpha hydroxy acid to dissolve residue blocking your hair follicles.

Physical exfoliation — Use the unique built-in bristled applicator brush to gently scrub your scalp while you distribute the cleanser. This scouring action further loosens persistent buildup so New Dawn Activated Charcoal Cleanser can easily remove it.

Powerful absorption potential — With activated charcoal as its main ingredient, New Dawn offers unrivaled absorbing action. The carbon molecules readily bond with nearby particles, including the excess oils and grime you want removed.

Give Your Hair a Fresh Start with Better Not Younger

Scalp cleansers are beneficial for all hair types, but if you use a lot of styling products or have oily hair, you will probably need to use a scalp cleanser more frequently. Give your scalp the new beginning it deserves by opting for a purifying cleanse once or twice a week.

Use New Dawn Activated Charcoal Scalp Cleanser, followed by your regular shampoo, conditioner, and styling products from Better Not Younger. Every component in our total care regimen was designed to work together to help you overcome aging-hair challenges.

Try them all by visiting our Better Not Younger Shop page. You can also learn more about them in our Better Blog.