The scalp tends to be the root cause of many hair concerns – like excess oil, dandruff, and hair fall – so it’s important to keep your scalp balanced. However, when sweat, sebum, pollution and hair products accumulate as scalp buildup, it can throw off this delicate ecosystem.

 

Thankfully, with a few adjustments to your hair care routine and washing habits, you can learn how to remove scalp buildup and improve the look and feel of your hair. In this guide on how to get rid of scalp buildup, we’ll share our six expert tips to help you regulate your scalp.

 

What is scalp buildup, and what causes it?

 

Scalp buildup is often a mix of natural sources and product residue, which can include:

 

• Sebum (your scalp’s natural oils)
• Sweat
• Dead skin cells
• External debris (dust, dirt, and pollution)
• Shampoo
• Dry shampoo
• Styling products (creams, gels, heat protectants, hairspray, and oils)
• Hard water, that can leave behind calcium deposits over time

 

This type of buildup can happen to virtually anyone – so, what does scalp buildup look like? Well, you might notice dry flakes, scaly patches, and a greasy film – along with a general feeling of discomfort.

 

The effects of scalp buildup 

 

As we alluded to earlier, scalp buildup can have a number of knock-on effects to your scalp and hair.

 

When sebum, product residue, and external pollution accrues, it can disrupt the scalp microbiome. This is a major contributor to scalp concerns like dandruff and excess oil, but in some cases it can clog hair follicles – which may impede hair growth. As for your hair itself, it can feel heavy and greasy, while you might experience dry ends and an overall lacklustre appearance.  

Learning how to remove scalp buildup will ensure that your scalp microbiome stays balanced – which helps mitigate common hair and scalp concerns.

 

How to remove scalp buildup: 6 expert tips

 

In terms of how to get rid of scalp buildup, you’ll need to revaluate your choice of products – along with your hair care and styling practices. We recommend a targeted approach of purifying, exfoliating, and nourishing the scalp, while eliminating (or simply reducing) your exposure to heavy styling products.

 

Read on for our tips on how to revamp your scalp care routine to minimise buildup over time.

 

1. Use a purifying shampoo

 

Some standard shampoos can contribute to scalp residue, so the most effective method to get rid of product buildup on scalp is to substitute your standard shampoo for a formula that targets buildup while cleansing.

 

The Dercos Anti-Dandruff K-Deep Purifying Shampoo has a 5.5 pH formula (the natural level for scalp pH), which helps rebalance the scalp microbiome to address the root cause of hair and scalp concerns. It has also been developed to remove stubborn residue from the scalp, including sebum and dandruff.

 

2. Reach for exfoliating ingredients

 

While you might be tempted to reach for a physical exfoliator to remove scalp buildup, sometimes this can cause further disruption and discomfort – especially if you already have a sensitive scalp. Instead, you can opt for hair products that include chemical exfoliants – like our hero ingredient, salicylic acid – to gently slough dead skin cells that collect on the scalp.

 

Many Dercos shampoos include salicylic acid at the heart of their formulas, including the Dercos Anti Dandruff DS Shampoo For Normal To Oily Hair, which is particularly effective for removing dandruff flakes and regulating sebum.

 

3. Wash your hair regularly 

 

How often you wash your hair can contribute to your scalp buildup. If you have oily hair, you might have encountered the myth of ‘training your hair’ to produce less oil by washing it less frequently. It can actually have the opposite effect on your scalp – particularly if you’re using products like dry shampoo to stretch out your washes.

 

When determining how to remove scalp buildup, start by assessing your washing schedule. Washing too often can remove your scalp’s natural oils, but certain hair types – like fine, straight hair – may need washing every day or every second day. However, if you have curly or colour-treated hair, you might only need to wash it once or twice a week.

 

If you notice increased buildup on your scalp, it may be time to increase your washing schedule. Remember, there are a lot of external pollutants that can accumulate, and regular washing is your scalp’s best defence.

 

4. Cleanse your scalp thoroughly 

 

How you cleanse your scalp is just as important as how often. The best washing technique for how to get rid of scalp buildup is to focus on your scalp rather than the lengths and ends of your hair. Here are some of our top washing tips for a deep cleanse:

 

• Start with wet hair – shampoo needs water to emulsify properly, so ensure your scalp is thoroughly wet before you apply shampoo.
• Shampoo twice – the first shampoo is going to remove initial buildup and residue, but the second shampoo will further cleanse the scalp.
• Use lukewarm water instead of hot – excessively hot water can dry out the scalp and disrupt your sebum levels.
• Avoid harsh scrubbing – use your fingers to gently massage the shampoo into your scalp; this can also help prevent hair breakage.

5. Incorporate a scalp treatment 

 

Shampoos are designed to cleanse buildup, but a serum can help deliver targeted ingredients to the scalp to manage your concerns.

 

Formulated to care for your scalp between washes, the Dercos Anti-Dandruff Serum 10 has been developed with a range of anti-dandruff ingredients to address a myriad of scalp concerns: including dryness, visible flakes, discomfort, excess sebum, and microbiome imbalances. What’s more, its lightweight texture leaves zero residue on the scalp, so you can enjoy a non-sticky, non-greasy finish.

 

6. Limit your hair styling products

 

One of our biggest tips for how to get rid of product buildup on scalp is to cut back on hair styling products that contribute scalp residue.

 

Dry shampoo tends to be the biggest culprit – especially if you are using it two or more days in a row – because it clogs your sebaceous glands. Styling products like curl creams, gels, volumisers, and hairsprays can also cause scalp buildup, so we suggest taking a break where possible. If you’re using a hair oil, avoid applying to the scalp and focus on your mid-lengths to ends instead.

 

Heat protectant is important for safeguarding your strands from heat damage, but we suggest finding a lightweight product that won’t leave residue behind.

 

Once you’ve developed your routine for how to get rid of scalp buildup, you can seek out ingredients that nourish and hydrate. So explore our guide on the use of ceramides for hair next – or read up on the benefits of vitamin E for hair.