Asian man touching his hair in front of a mirror.

Are you guilty of giving your hair all the attention and leaving your scalp wanting? You’re not alone. It’s easy to shower your hair with all the care it needs, but don’t neglect the skin it grows on. Deep cleaning your entire head a few times a month can help prevent issues like dandruff and hair loss.

Read on for the tell-tale signs that you need an intensive scrub down and how you can do it.

How to Deep Clean Your Hair and Scalp

Healthy hair begins at the roots. from shampoo, conditioner, and styling products can block the hair follicles, causing dandruff and itching. The mix of product, sweat, and sebum can also make your scalp feel oilier than usual. The following methods can help prevent this and keep your hair and scalp in tip-top shape.

1. Brush your hair before shampooing.

Giving your mane a good brushing can help remove dust particles and dislodge any buildup on the scalp. Use a brush with boar bristles, which is more effective at removing residue. Be sure not to brush too roughly. Start at the ends if you’re sporting to prevent damage.

Combing or brushing should also do what they’re meant to do: work through the gnarls and knots of your bedhead. Doing this before you shampoo can prevent any tangles that can lead to breakage.

Moreover, according to a 2016 study, also helps stimulate the scalp and improve blood flow, promoting healthier hair.

2. Use a deep cleansing shampoo.

Avoid using products with harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin and strip hair of natural oils. A quick label check will tell you if a product has any dyes, fragrances or chemicals that can be harmful to your hair.

Clarifying formulas are good options for deep cleaning, as they help get rid of excess oil and product buildup. Unless you have allergies, look for products with essential oils like cedarwood, almond, argan, and rosemary, which can help stimulate the scalp and .

3. Give yourself a scalp massage.

While you still have shampoo on your hair, use your fingers to massage your scalp. Use brisk, circular motions while making sure not to apply more pressure. Remember to relax your neck while doing this to prevent straining any muscles. Limit the massage to three minutes, or you risk leaving your shampoo on too long, which can dry your hair out.

4. Use a hair tonic.

A hair tonic can help strengthen your strands by infusing the scalp with moisture. It boosts shine while reducing hair fall, breakage, and even .

Apply it as a final step in your deep cleaning haircare routine, which should start with the right shampoo. If you suffer from flakes, try Dove Men+Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with caffeine and zinc AD to help give you hair that’s stronger and dandruff-free.

If you enjoy the cooling effect of menthol on your itchy scalp, use CLEAR Cool Sport Menthol Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Men. It removes all traces of grime, grease, and dandruff while helping keep your scalp fresh all day. 

To maintain healthy hair and scalp, use Dove Men+Care Refreshing Clean Shampoo, a formula that has caffeine to boost blood circulation and sparkling menthol that leaves you feeling refreshed.

5. Add deep cleaning to your haircare routine.

Start deep cleaning your scalp and hair regularly to reap its benefits. You can start by doing it twice a month, depending on how often you use or how greasy your hair is. It would be best to skip hair gels and pomades for a week to give your scalp a break.

Deep cleaning your hair and scalp doesn’t have to be an abrasive, aggressive affair. It can be easy as adding a refreshing shampoo to your routine, giving your scalp a good massage, and skipping styling products for a while. Try adding it to your haircare regimen and watch your bedhead transform into a head-turner.