Whether you’re following strict Curly Girl Method or modifying like I am, healthy hair starts at the scalp! Despite following a solid regimen, our scalps can easily become dry, itchy, and inflamed. There are of course factors that are outside our control (hormones, weather, water quality etc). However, a lot of times irritated scalps can be caused by some common practices seen in curly hair routines.
I am not a medical professional so it will not speak as one. Regardless, if you feel so inclined, please see a doctor for potentially any of the following:
- signs of infection – scabs, bumps, cysts, pus, or bleeding
- excessive itching not relieved by a regular shampoo.
- significant hair thinning or hair loss
- pain or discomfort
The goal of this is to help limit irritations and to help soothe any pre-existing scalp conditions. We are all trying to walk through the year growing longer and stronger hair!
Key Ingredients
There are a few key ingredients that can help with a balanced scalp. There are treatments you can do on their own but you can also look for products that have these ingredients in them.
- Rice water (fermented)
- Used for centuries in countries like Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, rice water is purported to help with hair length, retaining color for longer, yielding smoother, shinier, stronger hair
- Tea Tree Oil
- Antimicrobial and antifungal properties that help soothe inflammation and itchiness of the scalp
- Apple Cider Vineger
- Diluted in water, ACV helps remove product and oil build up from the scalp and as a pre-poo treatment before wash days
- Diluted in water, ACV helps remove product and oil build up from the scalp and as a pre-poo treatment before wash days
- Mint
- Cooling properties to help soothe inflammation and itchiness of the scalp
I’ve been using the Curlsmith Detox Kit since December, “a 3-step wash day powerhouse that helps control and regulate the scalp’s protective barrier”. First and foremost, this is not a sponsored review. These are my honest thoughts on using their Pre-Biotic Primer, Pro-Biotic Wash & Scrub, Post-Biotic Calming Conditioner. This all-in-one kit stimulates, clarifies and cools down the scalp. It’s a 3-step system that gives an in-depth gentle cleanse while not stripping the hair of natural moisture.
If you’ve been around for a while, then you know I love Curlsmith products. Their formulas are created with clean, natural, ingredients; they’re vegan and cruelty-free and never use sulphates, silicones, mineral oils, phthalates, parabens or DEA. This post is only focusing on the three items I mentioned above. However, there are also stylers & hair growth treatments within this line but today I’m focusing on the scalp cleansing items. Stay tuned for an entire post on hair growth tips and tricks!
Pre-Biotic Primer
WHAT IS IT?
A pre-wash treatment for any hair type to stimulate follicles, detangle and protect hair from clarifying. Containing fermented rice water, which is great for hair and scalp health.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
✔ Stimulates the scalp
✔ Has great slip and helps detangle hair quickly and painlessly
✔ Contains fermented rice water, which is great for hair and scalp health
✔ Protects the scalp from the stripping effects of clarifying
WHAT DOES IT NOT DO?
✗ It won’t make hair more curly
✗ Weigh down the hair
✗ Nourish the hair (it is NOT a conditioner)
HOW TO USE IT?
Wet your hair thoroughly and apply on the scalp before your shampoo, gently massaging it in. Make your way down the hair lengths. Because this primer will protect your scalp while the shampoo clarifies it, DO NOT RINSE OUT.
Pro-Biotic Wash & Scrub
WHAT IS IT?
A clarifying scrub shampoo with exfoliating particles
WHAT DOES IT DO?
✔ Gently exfoliates the scalp with micro fine particles that are easy to wash off
✔ Removes flakes, dirt and build up from the scalp
✔ Clarifies the scalp & hair
✔ Protects the scalp from the stripping effects of clarifying
WHAT DOES IT NOT DO?
✗ It won’t make hair more curly
✗ Build up or leave residue on the hair
✗ Moisturize the hair
✗ Strip the hair of its natural moisture
HOW TO USE IT?
Apply on wet hair directly after the Curlsmith Super Slip Pre-Biotic Primer (without rinsing first). Massage vigorously into your scalp to break down product build up. Rinse off thoroughly. Your hair will feel squeaky clean – good, that’s the proof it worked! In order to rebalance moisture & pH levels, follow with the Curlsmith Post-Biotic Calming Conditioner.
Post-Biotic Calming Conditioner
WHAT IS IT?
It’s a cooling, rebalancing conditioner
WHAT DOES IT DO?
✔ Moisturizes the hair
✔ Helps detangle with a great slip
✔ Re-establishes pH and moisture balance on the scalp after clarifying
✔ Cools and soothes the scalp
WHAT DOES IT NOT DO?
✗ It won’t make hair more curly
✗ Build up or leave greasy residue on the hair
HOW TO USE IT?
Apply generously on wet hair after the Curlsmith Wash & Scrub Detox Pro-Biotic. Once hair is entirely coated, let it sit for 1-2 minutes before rinsing off thoroughly.
Tips & Tricks
Powerhouse products are only half the battle for a healthy scalp. Unless there’s a massive amount of build up, I usually only clarify once a month. Here are some tips I’ve learned to keep an irritated scalp at bay during the in-between.
- Oil on the scalp
- Using a light weight oil for scalp massages a few times a week helps keep irritation at bay & it great to promote hair growth
- My favorite scalp massager found here
- My favorite oil
- Righteous Roots Oil
- VERB Ghost Oil (discount applied at checkout)
- Be mindful of how often you’re shampooing/low-pooing
- You can actually cause an overabundance of oil production by shampooing too often…and also by not cleansing enough. There’s a delicate balance haha. I personally use a gentle cleanser once a week and clarify for removing build up once a month.
- My favorite gentle cleansers
- Verb Curly Shampoo (great for locking moisture)
- Verb Ghost Shampoo (awesomely light weight)
- Curlsmith CoWash (solid balance)
- Use a scalp brush
- I’m not lying when I say this was a game changer. I thought my scalp was clean before, then I started using one of these and WOW that’s what clean really is
- My favorite found here
- I’m not lying when I say this was a game changer. I thought my scalp was clean before, then I started using one of these and WOW that’s what clean really is
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. This is at no extra cost to you and all products linked are ones I use personally and/or paid for myself
It’s going to be finish of mine day, but
before ending I am reading this fantastic piece of writing
to improve my knowledge.
Just wanna say that this is extremely helpful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.