Do You Really Need To Exfoliate Your Scalp?

Exfoliation is the cornerstone to a healthy skin routine. Scrubbing, sloughing, or brushing away dead skin particles can become quite addicting when you unearth the soft and revived-looking skin underneath. With most spa treatments, you'll see exfoliation is usually a part of the package. Our feet get exfoliated during a pedicure. Our faces get a good scrub during a facial. But what about our scalp? Is it necessary to exfoliate skin we hardly ever see?

Most of us overlook the health of our scalps and choose to focus more on the health of our hair. Though Healthline reminds us that our scalps can be prone to a slew of skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, ringworm, and lice. If reading this makes you want to immediately itch your scalp, you're likely not the only one. In fact, your scalp may be more in need of a good scrub than your feet or face.

A healthy scalp will produce healthy hair

As it turns out, exfoliating your scalp may be the key to healthy locks. "Scalp exfoliation makes way for fresh skin and hair follicles to grow healthy hair," explains board-certified dermatologist Debra Jaliman to Byrdie. "Many people pay more attention to their hair rather than their scalp, but the truth is that a healthy scalp will produce healthy hair." In addition to healthier hair, exfoliating the top of your head will allow for natural oils to keep your scalp nourished and healthy.

According to Healthline, scalp exfoliation may be especially beneficial to those with oily hair, dandruff, and dry skin. The best time to exfoliate your scalp is directly after shampooing, when your hair's still wet. You can use your fingers, or a brush or gloves that are specially designed for your head. You may become slightly addicted to the relaxing benefits of an exfoliating scalp massage. And while you can do it every day, it is not recommended to do it more than once or twice a week.

As previously stated, exfoliation is essential to a healthy skin routine. From the tops of your head to the tips of your toes. Sloughing away dead skin cells can be exactly what your skin needs to stay in tip top health.