Up until a year or so ago, I didn’t realise that scalp health is actually so important for your overall hair health. When a trichologist told me that, I had an “aha” moment, which made me feel a little foolish. Of course, the state of your scalp affects how your hair grows. The hair grows out of the scalp, after all!
So when it comes to the scalp, you want to make sure it’s free of buildup, able to produce its natural oils, balanced, and hydrated. Basically, you want your scalp to thrive so your hair can grow well.
There are a couple of things you can do to treat your scalp right. Don’t wash your hair too often. Be gentle with your care, especially when washing or exfoliating it. And choose the products that work for your scalp’s specific needs. Sometimes, you might need a little extra help in the scalp department, and that’s where a scalp treatment can come in handy.
The types of scalp treatments can vary. Some are moisturising and rejuvenating for dry and itchy scalps. Others remove buildup and excess oil. And some can help your hair grow faster and healthier. If you’re looking for the latter, I’ve got you covered. Take a look at this list of the best scalp treatments for hair growth below. Plus, I’ve included other products that can help with scalp health.
Part of The Body Shop’s loved Ginger hair care line, this serum helps to keep the scalp moisturised and balanced in between washes. The formula sinks straight in to the scalp without leaving any residue and gets to work quickly to soothe the skin and prevent flakes.
Hair oiling has been around for centuries in Indian culture to encourage healthy hair growth. This oil contains ashwagandha to help thicken fine hair, while dashmool improves scalp circulation to encourage hair follicles. Apply before shampooing your hair and massage in for best results and remember to rinse thoroughly.
Philip Kingsley’s products are trusted by many for delivering results. This scalp toner can be used daily to hydrate the scalp, and the antibacterial formula creates an optimum environment for healthy hair growth.
JVN’s lightweight pre-wash scalp oil is formulated with squalane and hemisqualane to improve hair strength, rosemary extract to stimulate your scalp and hair follicles, and basil-root extract to minimize hair loss. You can use it before shampooing to clarify the scalp.
Minoxidil is a common ingredient that’s used to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. This Rogaine formula contains botanical extracts and emollients to condition the scalp.
Use this super-lightweight mist formula to plump hair at the root and create volume with regular use over the course of three months. It also hydrates, balances, and protects the scalp.
Dr Barbara Sturm products are loved by beauty editors and this scalp serum is no exception. It contains hydrating hyaluronic acid to hydrate and soothe the scalp while papaya extract helps to dissolve flakes and reduce irritation.
The Ordinary’s competitively priced formula is great if you’re on a budget. It contains a cocktail of peptides and caffeine to stimulate the roots to encourage hair growth. This can be applied daily on to dry hair.
Kérastase’s non-greasy formula sinks into the scalp and helps to reinforce the scalp barrier, creating the ideal environment for healthy hair growth.
The hero ingredient in this scalp treatment is caffeine, which stimulates the scalp and hair follicles. Other ingredients include Redensyl and Betaine (which conditions). It’s designed to be used overnight, so it can work its magic on your scalp as you sleep.
Ouai’s scalp serum is designed to encourage fuller and thicker hair, and it just so happens to look great in your bathroom, too. It features a combination of adaptogenic herbs (read: herbs that adapt to your body’s needs) to encourage a healthy scalp barrier and leave the scalp cool as a cucumber.
This invigorating scalp treatment from Aveda is loved by many. It helps to reinforce brittle hair from the root and helps to give lift to the hair too when styling.
That itchy scalp of yours will be a distant memory after using this scalp treatment. It contains honey to hydrate, nourish, and restore balance; ectoine to relieve dryness and flakiness; and a prebiotic complex to balance the scalp’s microflora.
For itchy and irritated scalp relief, apply this soothing mask that also nourishes and detoxifies the scalp. It contains binchotan charcoal to detoxify and clear buildup; tea-tree, peppermint, and spearmint oils for a cool feeling that reduces itchiness; and a hydration complex of hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to prevent any dryness.
Your scalp needs some exfoliating action, too. This creamy exfoliating treatment will gently buff away dead skin cells and debris while conditioning and moisturizing the hair and scalp.
For a deeper clean, use this cleansing oil before you shampoo to exfoliate and slough away any dirt and buildup. It also leaves the scalp refreshed and clean but not stripped dry.
Formulated for oily scalps, this scrub contains sea salt, vitamin B6, and salicylic acid to remove any dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and buildup. It also adds some volume to the hair.
