We’re back with Board-Certified Dermatologist and PHYTO Ambassador, Dr. Dina Strachan, and we’re spilling the tea on all things hair detox. We’re definitely living in a detox society. People do cleanses to detox their bodies. They clean house in the friend department, getting rid of toxic relationships. They even take breaks from social media to give themselves a technology detox.

It’s important to do the same for your hair. Think about everything your hair endures:

Stress

Color

Sun

Heat

Free radicals

Residue from products

Does it matter if your hair is dry or damaged? Maybe! You don’t want to overwhelm already overworked hair.

If you use a ton of products should you do it? YES!!! It’s perfect if you are hitting your hair with a bevvy of haircare products.

You might not be able to tell just by looking at your locks, but trust us. Your hair is SCREAMING for a little detox. However, you don’t want to rid your hair of what it needs to thrive.

So, PHYTO is talking with Dr. Dina about what a good hair detox looks like. She will delve into what exactly hair detox entails and who should do it.

1.What is hair/scalp detox?

Hair and scalp detox is the removal of factors that cause inflammation and interfere with normal hair and scalp function and health.

2.Why is detox important for your scalp?

Inflammation anywhere is the body has been found to be associated with a number of health problems not just where the inflammation is happening, but in other parts of the body. With respect to the scalp, inflammation can not only be uncomfortable, but may also play a role in some types of hair loss and scalp disease.

3.How do I know I have to detox my scalp?

Signs that the scalp may benefit from detox include redness, itch, irritation, oily hair or hair loss.

4.How can I detox my scalp properly?

Detox of the scalp simply starts with adequate shampooing. Hair and scalp are healthiest if they are washed at least once a week. If one has oily hair, more sessions may be required. Shampoo helps remove excess oil and skin cells (scale) which feed normal yeast we have on our scalp which cause inflammation. Additionally, excess oil, scale and products can accumulate in hair follicles causing inflammation and other problems.

5.How is the environment or my lifestyle affecting my scalp?

People who shampoo infrequently, have oily hair, and have heavy product use may experience more scalp inflammation. Anything that causes itch of the scalp may also cause hair loss, infection and discoloration from scratching.

6.Can I hurt my scalp from over detoxifying it?

There is a saying, "too much of anything is good for nothing." Over detoxifying can damage the hair and disrupt the skin barrier of the scalp leading to, ironically, inflammation.

7.Who do you recommend it to?

People who have oily hair, dandruff, or heavily use products would benefit from detox of the scalp. If one has a scalp condition, it would be best to be evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist first.

Feel like a scalp detox is right for you? Try our PHYTODETOX Collection, a 3-step routine designed to gently, yet effectively cleanse your scalp from product build up, pollution, hard water residue and more.

While PHYTO’s mission is to provide our customers with healthy and beautiful hair and scalp, make sure to visit a board-certified dermatologist or physician if you feel you have a serious condition, or if that condition does not improve or worsen after a while.