It’s an insane concept you’d ever consider the idea of slathering your skin in a thick layer of makeup for hours and living in the city’s extreme pollution for a whole day and then rinsing your face with plain water or swiping a single cleansing wipe across your face.
No, not even a single chance you would consider doing this nightmare. You know that in order to properly clean your skin you need to double cleanse first with an oil-based cleanser and then with a water-based gentle face cleanser. Additionally considering our hair we routinely apply heavy styling products, dry shampoo and leave in treatments. Only to give our scalps a quick and single wash with a generic shampoo.
We forget that the scalp is literally an extension of the skin on our face. In fact it actually contains more sebaceous glands and sweat glands compared to almost any other part of the body.
This is why the concept of double cleansing was introduced and one should consider following the same. A standard shampoo is generally formulated to clean the hair strands but it often fails to penetrate the thick buildup of sebum, dead skin cells and silicone residues present on the scalp and hair strands. This accumulation clogs your hair follicles leading to itchiness, flakes, greasiness and even reduced hair growth.
Therefore indulging the usage of a dedicated scalp cleanser into your routine serves as the very first and essential step. Using targeted scalp cleansers, exfoliating scrubs or detoxifying pre-shampoos helps to actively take out sebum and clean the product buildup without stripping your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
This then prepares the scalp to allow your normal shampoo to be more effective and perform the task correctly. From head to toe, the true radiance starts with a clean foundation. On reading further, you shall be able to understand why your hair health depends on a clean scalp and how to master the art of the head double cleanse.
Let’s understand why single wash is ineffective
Every day your scalp faces a heavy amount of styling products, dry shampoos, airborne pollution and natural sebum. Due to this reason, the products build up on the outer layer of hair strand which are usually water resistant in nature. Standard shampoos are formulated primarily to cleanse the hair strands meaning they only provide surface cleaning action. They are unable to break through the water resistant layer so formed.
When you use heavy silicones or dry shampoos the ingredients present in their formulation tend to form a thick water resistant layer on the hair strands and the scalp as well. A single wash, using a gentle or hydrating shampoo hardly is able to cut through this layer. It leaves behind an invisible film that accumulates over time.
This chronic accumulation triggers a number of scalp issues:
. Follicles get clogged: Overtime product accumulation causes the follicles to get clogged. This restricts oxygen flow to the hair roots. The sebum production also surges.
. Scalp Inflammation & Flaking: Trapped oils act as food for the Malassezia yeast which ultimately leads to dandruff and severe itching.
. Reduced Growth: Weakened follicles produce thinner strands which ultimately accelerates premature shedding.
How Scalp Double Cleansing Works?
Scalp double cleansing is similar to skincare since it includes one of the steps where the impurities are uplifted and the second step where the impurities are washed away.
Step 1: The Breakdown (The Scalp Cleanser)
This step targets the scalp skin directly. This step includes the usage of pre-shampoo oils, chemical exfoliants (like Salicylic acid) or targeted scrubs, which basically acts by breaking the chemical bonds between stubborn buildup and the scalp. These specialized formulas break down the hardened sebum and lift dead skin cells that could not be washed off easily by water based shampoo.
Step 2: The Purge (The Shampoo)
After following the first step, the debris gets loosened up. Now your regular shampoo can finally access the skin. It produces a rich and efficient lather that sweeps away the emulsified oils and buildup. This second wash ensures proper hair wash, leaving both skin and hair feeling completely weightless.
How To Choose The Scalp Cleanser?
The choice of scalp cleanser completely depends on the individual’s scalp type
. Oily & Fine Hair scalp: This scalp type needs effective sebum control without adding further weight.You may consider using salicylic Acid (BHA) or AHA based pre-shampoo serums. These work by dissolving the oil inside the pores to keep roots bouncy.
. Dry, Flaky, or Sensitive Scalp: This scalp needs moisture preservation and effective flake removal. Meaning this scalp type needs a cleanser which would effectively clean the scalp and hair without causing them to get even more dry. You may consider using a nourishing oil-based pre-cleanser or gentle enzyme treatments. These effectively lift up the dry patches without stripping the skin barrier.
. Product-Heavy & Coily Textures: This scalp type is the one which usually includes the usage of a number of products and daily styling. The main aim of the cleanser would be to remove heavy butters and silicones from this hair type. You may consider using micellar waters or physical scrubs. These will physically dislodge particles from tight curl bases without tangling strands.
How to use the scalp cleanser?
. Apply the scalp cleanser directly to dry or damp roots using sectional parting. Do not apply it on the hair strands.
. Using the fingertips, gently massage in the scalp. This would enhance blood supply to the roots.
. Allow it to remain in contact with the scalp for some time so that the cleansing action is performed effectively.
. Consider using this procedure once or twice a week. No need to use this everyday.
Therefore, double cleansing the scalp involves a two step process of breaking down the stubborn sebum and product buildup followed by a thorough shampoo to remove debris and unclog follicles. Incorporating this step in your hair care routine would help you to effectively clean the scalp. Consider following a double cleanse routine for your face as well as body. Ensure following double cleanse for the body once or twice a week only.
