What are scalp treatments and what do they do? Here’s what the experts say.

We tend to put our scalp a lot ― we sweat, cover our heads with tight hats, and load our hair with dry shampoo and other products that build up. And everything is gaining weight.

And sure, the scalp detox products on the market can help keep this buildup from getting out of control. However, the scalp care business expected to reach new heights this year, as a scalp treatment (also known as a “head spa”) they suddenly gain traction and, well, we can’t say we’re not having fun.

If you find yourself wondering why on earth you would even need a scalp treatment in the first place position, Nioxin Head Spa Stylist Michael Long suthink of it as a real facial for your scalp, especially since the skin on the head is often neglected.

“Skin care has traditionally only focused on the face, but the skin on the scalp is just as important,” Long told HuffPost. “The scalp is sensitive and prone to irritation, build-up and inflammation — conditions that can negatively affect the hair follicle and inhibit hair growth.”

To help reboot your scalp, Long explained that Nioxin Head Spa’s 45-minute treatment includes six steps: a consultation using a special scalp augmentation tool, dermabrasion to renew the scalp, heat therapy and other products (cleanser, conditioner, masks and leave-in treatments) that strengthen and protect both the scalp and the hair shaft.

Long added that he believes regular treatments — he advises monthly visits — are especially beneficial for those who live in big cities, as toxins (from car exhaust, industrial chemicals and smoke) can easily settle in the head, causing havoc on the skin.

“Let’s go one step further [than traditional scalp massage] offering personalized treatments that infuse the scalp with nutrients and antioxidants to cleanse, condition and exfoliate the scalp,” said Long. “These extra steps balance the scalp’s moisture and protect and strengthen the hair itself.”

From a dermatological point of view, Dr. Anna Guanche told HuffPost that scalp care can seem like any other beauty fad. However, he suggested that as dirt and oil build up in the hair, the scalp also builds up dirt, making it important to cleanse the scalp regularly to rid it of such build-up.

This makes it an ideal treatment for those experiencing unbearable flaking or for those who want a closer look at their scalp health, according to Guanche.

“A critical step for the scalp is scalp analysis, which uses a special magnifying lens to allow detailed visualization of the scalp, also helping to identify lesions or growths on the scalp that may not be visible. were previously known,” Guanche said.

The scalp treatment is also a fantastic treatment for those who suffer from hair loss or delayed hair growth. Dr. Debra Jaliman told HuffPost that regular treatments help clear blocked follicles, which cause unwanted breakouts.

“When our hair builds up, the follicles get blocked and the hair doesn’t grow as healthy,” Jaliman said. “And since a facial steamer is used during the scalp treatment, this helps open the pores (hair follicles), allowing your hair to grow longer and healthier over time.”

That’s not to say scalp treatments don’t come with their share of concerns, as Guanche emphasized that not all treatments are equally effective for everyone. And if you’re looking for a scalp treatment for dandruff relief, he added, there’s always a chance it won’t achieve the desired results.

“Dandruff is a chronic condition that cannot be cured with a scalp treatment,” Guanche warned. “You’ll also want to be just as careful with scalp conditions that involve raw skin, as this process could cause sensitivity and exacerbate the problem.”

Although for Dr. Jessica J. Krant, The scalp face trend speaks to issues of under-cleansing and chemophobia, which seems to be prevalent in the hair care industry right now.

“Society encourages us to make sure our hair isn’t over-washed and stripped so much that our scalp is left alone and unkempt,” Krant told HuffPost. “Similarly, there has been a lot of unfounded fear of chemicals… Now we spend extra money on other chemicals (they all have a chemical name) to remove build-up from natural scalp oils, hair products and common skin micro-organisms such as yeasts and bacteria.”

With that said, Krant suggested that while scalp treatments work to remove build-up, reduce itching and increase circulation, these results could easily be provided at home if a person incorporates the right measures into their routine. his routine.

“What facials do for the scalp could be done at home if we just washed our hair a little more often,” Krant said. “Be sure to avoid sulfate-free products (unless there’s a true sulfate allergy) and use dandruff-control shampoos when needed. [Shampoos with sulfates] they tend to keep the scalp cleaner and less itchy, reducing the need to spend money on extra scalp treatments.”