do we really need to detox our hair?
that depends on whether your hair is showing signs of build-up. Pollution, styling products and other chemicals gradually leave residue along the hair shaft. The impact shows up on your scalp first, says Scandizzo. “The skin gets very dry and flaky,” he says, noting that hair that looks dull and feels heavy is likely suffering, too. The first thing to do is hit reset with a clarifying or deep-cleaning shampoo. “In the same way a face scrub sloughs away dead cells and preps the skin for active ingredients, these formulas will remove product, oil and mineral build-up along the hair shaft so it can receive the nutrients from your conditioner or mask,” says Scandizzo. Many include protective ingredients, such as vitamin C, as well as cleansing ones. Just make sure you alternate these formulas with your regular shampoo, as you really only need that deep clean every now and then. Scalp scrubs can help, too, lifting dry skin with ingredients such as exfoliating AHAS and invigorating caffeine. And hydrating treatments will seal the outer cuticle, making it less susceptible to environmental damage. It’s also worth remembering that prevention is better than cure. So pay attention to how well you rinse. Once all the build-up has been removed, spending a bit more time under the shower stream can make a big difference.