Do you really need a skincare regime for your SCALP?
When it comes to beauty regimes, I can safely say that my scalp doesn’t have one. But that may soon change if haircare companies have their way.
For there’s now a dizzying array of serums, scrubs and creams on sale all especially developed to cleanse, moisturise and soothe the scalp.
‘A gentle exfoliation of the scalp will remove dead cells and allow the active ingredients in hair products to penetrate,’ says consultant dermatologist Dr Sharon Wong. ‘It can also promote a healthy turnover and renewal of skin cells.
‘healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp — a bit like growing strong plants in a good quality soil.’ If your skin is dry, care for your scalp gently — a scrub should only be used once a week.
here are some of the latest scalp products . . .
EXFOLIATING FIX
Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask, £18 for 75ml, philipkingsley.co.uk
WHAT IT DOES: This awardwinning product is timeconsuming. You massage it into damp hair in 3cm partings and leave for ten to 20 minutes, then use shampoo and conditioner.
Unlike some exfoliators, it doesn’t contain grains — it uses betaine salicylate acid, which you don’t need to rub. It left my scalp soft and clean. Those with flaky scalps swear by it, too. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘This is an excellent range I’ve used myself,’ says trichologist Iain Sallis. ‘The scalp mask is nice and cooling and has effective ingredients that can relieve itching and flaking, while soothing at the same time. Ten out of ten.’
KOREAN STYLE
Redken All Soft Mega Sheet Mask Cap, £10 (single use), lookfantastic.com
WHAT IT DOES: This new product takes the Korean trend for sheet mask facials and applies it to your hair — under a gold foil cap. Apply the cap after shampooing and massaging — seal with an adhesive strip.
You leave it on for five to ten minutes — as my hair is fine, I took it off after five.
The mask has a ‘superfood’ complex: prickly pear, aloe vera and mountain peanut, to nourish and control dry, puffy ends. Afterwards, my hair felt wellconditioned and smelt wonderful. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘This intense mask will be an effective conditioning treatment for dry hair,’ says Iain Sallis. ‘I don’t think there’s a great deal to benefit the scalp, although prickly pear contains vitamin e and is antiinflammatory.’
FRUITY PEEL
London Labs AHA Peel and Scalp Mask Duo, £26 for two, thelondonlabs.com
WHAT IT DOES: Like a face peel, which uses acid to remove dead skin, the first tiny tube, containing fruit acids, is designed to exfoliate. Massage into damp hair and leave for ten to 15 minutes. I was alarmed by the idea of a peel for the scalp, but felt only a slight tingling.
After rinsing, you apply the moisturising mask and leave for 20 minutes or overnight, then shampoo/condition.
It was a faff, but my scalp felt smooth and fresh afterwards. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘This is one of a new breed of crossover products between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals,’ says Iain Sallis. ‘It contains fruit acids, plus a patented lupine extract and prickly pear flower extract for cellular renewal. Your scalp is likely to feel pleasant afterwards, but I’m not sure how long these tubes will last.’
SUPER-SOOTHING
Oribe Serene Scalp Soothing Leave-on Treatment, £46 for 50ml, spacenk.com
WHAT IT DOES: Massage into dry or damp hair to calm the scalp. I used it after a fierce exfoliating treatment and my scalp was instantly soothed.
The smell is divine: it contains peppermint oil, cucumber, rosemary and chamomile, alongside beta hydroxy acid, which exfoliates the scalp. There’s also caffeine, to rejuvenate the follicles, and sugar cane extract, to nourish the scalp.
Perhaps it’s not strong enough for irritated scalps, but for my normal one, it did the job. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘This is an average product with a premium price, although it’s beautifully packaged. The peppermint oil will leave your scalp feeling tingly and there’s some evidence that caffeine may extend the growth phase of the hair,’ says Iain.
BOTANICAL BOOST
My Hair Doctor Scalp Health Exfoliant, £16, myhairdoctor.com
WHAT IT DOES: This scrub has both a physical action — through beads made with jojoba oil — and a chemical one, with natural acids from bilberry, sugar cane, orange and lemon.
There’s also vitamin e and eucalyptus oil to moisturise the scalp. The smell is so strong, it’s like rubbing fresh herbs and Vicks VapoRub on your head (it cleared my sinuses!). But the tingling was almost too much.
EXPERT VERDICT: ‘The menthol will cool the scalp and make it tingly, but apart from that, there’s little to benefit an irritated, inflamed scalp,’ says Iain. ‘It relies on botanicals, which are popular as they are seen as “natural”, but what you gain in selling power, you may lose in effectiveness.’