Meet Scalp Exfoliators: The Secret to Weirdly Perfect-Looking Hair

Okay, yes—we're fully aware of that fact that scalp exfoliators sound like another bullshit product that virtually nobody needs, but these gritty scrubs actually serve a purpose: to keep your hair looking kickass, while helping your scalp stay healthy.

Though you may think you're cleansing your scalp each time you wash your hair, your 15-second shampoo massage isn't making as much of an impact as you think, especially if you have super-thick or curly hair. (Ever wonder why your hair looks especially voluminous and shiny after a haircut? It's largely due to the hardcore scalp cleaning at the beginning).

And when all of the sweat, oil, and product buildup from your dry shampoos and styling products meld together without being exfoliated away, they form a follicle-blocking barrier that can irritate your scalp, leading to ingrown hairs, extra greasiness, itchiness, hair loss, and even some yeast growth. Yep.

"In some cases, scalp inflammation from accumulated oils and dirt can promote the growth of yeast on the scalp," says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, effectively terrifying us all. "Either way, chronic inflammation may interfere with healthy hair growth," he notes, which is the opposite of what you want when you're trying for a good hair day.

So to keep your curls and waves in their bounciest form, we rounded up the best new scalp scrubs on the market that are infused with natural exfoliators, like apricot seeds and walnut shells, along with follicle stimulating oils, like peppermint, for supremely excellent hair.

By Chloe Metzger for Marie Claire

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Introducing: The Gommage by Kerastase

Inspired by skincare, a breakthrough micro-fine pre-treat scrub that detoxifies, activates, and stimulates from scalp to ends to prepare the hair for Bain and Crème Chronologiste.

• Purifies and stimulates the scalp and hair fiber through gentle exfoliation
• Provides radiant shine, and deep nourishment
• Delivers total scalp and hair revitalization with lightweight results

KEY TECHNOLOGY

• • Abyssine: a precious and powerful molecule that regenerates and detoxifies the scalp
  • Apricot Seed: refined beads that gently exfoliate and activate the scalp

Timothy Pamment Salon, 22 Durham Road, Madison, CT. (203) 245-7707. Call to purchase, or stop in!

Choose Beautiful

As part of its "Choose Beautiful" campaign, Dove visited five cities around the world (San Francisco, Shanghai, Delhi, London, São Paolo) and presented two entrance options for women based on how they view themselves. People could walk through the door labeled "Beautiful" or enter through the "Average" door.

At first, most of the women choose the average pathway, but as the video progresses, more and more women work up the courage to take the beautiful route.

One woman who chose the "Beautiful" door describes the experience as "quite a triumphant feeling. It was like telling the world, 'I think I'm beautiful.'"

Who knew the simple task of choosing an entrance could be so empowering? Watch the video for yourself below.

Experience Chronologiste

Chronologiste combines luxurious advanced technology and unique sensory experience. This 40 minutes in salon treatment sublimates all hair types, from scalp to ends. Designed for the woman who craves the most luxurious hair treatment available. Chronologiste works like a miraculous elixir.