NGL, I Rolled My Eyes at the Idea of Scalp Scrubs Until *This* One Completely Transformed My Hair

I have no problem admitting my hair was a total mess before I started using this scalp scrub once or twice a week. It seemed like no matter what I did, it would never quite behave the way I wanted it to. My 4a curls are naturally extremely dry, so my way of combatting that was to use heavier-hitting hydrators on my hair. This seemed to help at first, but the more time that went on, I noticed my hair was feeling dull and weighed down. Plus, it was harder to brush and seemed to get even drier the next day after using a heavier conditioner.

Before trying this product, my expectations were pretty low. I'd tried scalp scrubs in the past that didn't really do much, but the formula sounded interesting to me, so I decided to give it a go. Altogether, it contains a 10% AHA blend of glycolic, tartaric, lactic, and citric acid to really penetrate deep into the follicles. It's more than just your average physical scalp scrub—it really goes in and dissolves any product buildup that could be hindering your routine.

Celebrity hairstylist Travis Ogletree also says there are some other benefits to using a good scalp scrub. "[It's] great for anyone who works out often, uses a lot of styling products like gels or dry shampoo, or pushes washday one day too far," he shared. "Life happens, and not every day is an 'everything shower' day. If your haircare routine suddenly feels less effective, you might just have buildup on your scalp that needs a deeper cleanse."

I used this product once and immediately saw exactly what Olgetree was talking about. I didn't realize how much product buildup was wreaking havoc on my hair until I took 10 minutes out of my day to use a scrub. The brand recommends using it on dry hair before hopping into the shower. I like to use it before washday and apply it on a dry scalp, leave it on for 10 or even 15 minutes, and then hop into the shower to shampoo it all out. Initially, I was a little worried a chemical exfoliating blend might dry out my hair even more, but that was not the case at all here. As soon as I wash it out, I immediately notice how soft my hair is, and it even detangles it with a blend of marula and mongongo oil, which hydrate the hair and add shine. I actually could not believe the immediate difference in the feeling of my hair. After washing and conditioning, there was a huge improvement in shine, softness, hydration, and even my curl pattern. I was shocked because I wasn't expecting it to make such a difference after one use.

No matter your hair type, adding a scalp scrub like this to the mix can really help boost your entire routine. Ogletree says, "Remember when apple cider vinegar rinses were trending? They became popular for a good reason. Everyone was trying to train their hair to need fewer washes, but that often created buildup." Product buildup really is the culprit for so many hair issues. I honestly wish I'd known sooner.

I have really thick hair, and Ogletree says that a scrub like this is perfect for my hair type. "Thick hair can make it harder to reach and cleanse the scalp properly," he explains. "I love using a scalp scrub to make sure nothing is getting trapped between washes. I section my hair and apply the scrub directly to my scalp so it really gets in there for a deep clean."

Even if you don't have thick hair, Ogletree has a bit more advice on application. "If you use a lot of styling products or dry shampoo, weekly exfoliation can help keep your scalp balanced," he says. "For color-treated or highlighted hair, every other week might be better to avoid over-cleansing. I like to pair scalp scrub day with a mask or treatment because once you've removed impurities, it's the perfect time to nourish and replenish your hair."

Now that I use this twice a week, I've noticed that I can use my deep-conditioning masks and leave-in treatments with absolutely no issues. My hair also seems to absorb a lot of my products better. While some reviewers have said that this product is hard to wash out, I think it works best if you pair it with washday to really get all the remaining product out of your hair. I personally don't find it hard to wash out compared to other scalp scrubs, and I usually struggle with other, physical scrubs.

Now, I love scalp-scrub day because it's such a treat for my hair. I genuinely look forward to it because it's satisfying knowing that I'm getting all the extra gunk out of my hair. Take a look below for a few more scalp products I love.