Do you use dry shampoo? Or texturizing hair products? (Same.) Well then, your scalp might just look like it’s covered in anthills of… gunk.
At least, that’s what our video producer Ella Dove discovered about her own head when a scalp facialist took a very, extremely close-up (and personal!) look at it in our latest episode of What the Wellness, Well+Good’s video series that explores whether the most out-there health practices are weird or worth it. This magnified head selfie is just the normal first step of getting a scalp detoxifying treatment, which Dove goes on to experience at Blow Me Away salon in Los Angeles.
These facials for your scalp are just what they sound like—a treatment meant to address buildup at the roots—and they’re popping up all over the U.S. as we realize just how important having a healthy scalp is in order to have healthy (and pretty and shiny) hair. Head spas that provide treatments for your scalp have actually been popular in Japan for a long time, but we’re just now becoming keen to the trend here.
During the 60-minute treatment, Dove’s head gets cleansed, massaged, given its very own aromatherapy sesh, and then steamed and exfoliated. It’s honestly a lot like what would happen in a facial for your face. As her scalp gets the TLC it deserves, we learn some pretty fascinating stuff about what it takes to have good hair. Watch the whole thing go down in the video above, where you’ll witness what a scalp facial entails, learn #hairhealth facts like why shampoo is overrated, and see the big reveal… which, I must say, is probably the shiniest, most luscious head of hair I’ve ever laid eyes upon. (You’re welcome, Ella!)
To see what else is out there in the wide world of wellness treatments, here’s what happens in a crystal light therapy treatment that supposedly aligns your chakras. And this is an inside look at cupping therapy and how it can help your wellness game.
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As someone who romanticizes every part of the getting-ready process, you’d think I love styling my hair. Think again—I dread it. Over the years, I’ve made every haircare mistake in the book, and I’m especially hopeless at using hot tools on my curls (no matter how many TikTok tutorials I watch). Halfway through every attempt at a sleek blowout or polished waves, I run to my roommates for help rescuing my over-fluffed, full-of-crimps disaster.
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Apparently, I’m not alone. According to Maria McCool, hairstylist and founder of Calista, I’m making a mistake she sees *all the time* on the job: using professional tools that simply aren’t designed for me. This common issue dates back to the 1980s, McCool says, when people began buying the hot tools their stylists used on them and putting them to work without ever learning how to use them. The issue? “[The tools are] made for somebody who's standing on top—not us, underneath our hair,” McCool says. “It’s obvious that they're not made for the consumer. They're made for hairstylists.”
Hearing this was a major aha moment for me. (Finally: The awkward creases after straightening and the blowouts that make me look more electrocuted than effortless, explained!) McCool’s realization was a lightbulb moment for her, too, and it eventually led to Calista. All of Calista’s tools are designed specifically for people doing their own hair, eliminating the awkward mechanics that can make styling feel impossible.
FAUXblo Airless Thermal Blowout Brush
$110
Calista is one of a handful of popular hot-tool brands that has turned its focus to accessibility for the average at-home, DIY styler (um, me) in recent years. Unlike professional tools designed for the salon, many new devices are now built with intuitive features that take the guesswork out of styling.
If you, like me, have spent years struggling with hair tools, it might be time to stop pushing yourself to become an expert at a device that wasn’t made with you in mind. McCool recommends starting with user-friendly hot tools like the FAUXblo Airless Thermal Blowout Brush and Perfector Pro, which are designed to be simple, effective, and beginner-friendly.
And beyond user accessibility, McCool says that hair texture can be a major factor in the hot-tool struggle. A flat iron that glides through fine, straight hair may not have enough grip or heat to smooth thick curls, while a high-temperature curling wand built for coarse hair could damage delicate strands. Choose devices that cater to your texture, she says, and you’ll usher in a getting-ready process that’s smoother, faster, and much less frustrating.
I’m not claiming to be a wizard with the curling wand, now or anytime soon. But McCool has helped me realize that my styling struggles aren’t unique to me, and they don’t come down to my lack of skill. With that in mind, I’m replacing my made-for-the-salon hair tools with ones that are actually designed for me—and replacing my discouraged getting-ready process with a hair routine that actually works, isn’t complicated, and doesn’t come with dread.
Shop More Hot Tools for Your Hair Type Below:
Perfecter Pro Swap Top 3-in-1 Heated Round Brush w/ Pouch
$156
Body Waver Hair Styler
$77
TrianglPro Heated Detailer Brush
$88
AirGlide Pro Cool Breeze Styler
$99
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Real talk: your hairbrush is probably overdue for a cleaning. Between dead skin cells, oils, and leftover product, it’s a breeding ground for grime that can mess with your scalp. But how often should you be cleaning it? Spoiler alert: more often than you think. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your brush—and your hair—fresh and clean, including when it’s time to trade your trusty brush in for a newer model.
Lindsay Zubritsky, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical dermatology at Premier Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
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How often to clean your hairbrush
As a general rule, you should clean your hairbrush every one to two weeks, but it really depends on a few things, says Lindsey Marie Zubritsky, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburg, PA.
Clean your hairbrush more often if:
You use heavy styling products
You have long hair
You deal with dandruff or an oily scalp
How to clean your hairbrush
The method for cleaning a hairbrush depends on the type, but no matter the brush, always start by pulling out the hair with tweezers, scissors, or just your hands, Dr. Zubritsky says.
If you have a brush with synthetic plastic bristles (which are easiest to clean, BTW), follow these steps, per Dr. Zubritsky:
Put some shampoo, dish soap, or body wash in a large bowl of water and soak your brush for 15 minutes
Rinse thoroughly afterwards, shake or squeeze the brush to remove excess water, and then allow to air dry
For extra cleaning, you can spray the brush with isopropyl alcohol for disinfecting.
If you have a brush with natural bristles and/or wooden handles, you need to handle them with a little more care. After removing all the hair from the bristles, follow these steps, per Dr. Zubritsky:
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Add a gentle, mild shampoo or soap to a large bowl of water.
Only dip the bristles in the water (keeping the wooden handles dry).
Lather up the bristles (either with your hands or a toothbrush). You really want to give these natural bristles a thorough scrub since they have more nooks and crannies.
Rinse thoroughly afterwards, shake or squeeze the brush to remove excess water, and then allow to air dry.
What happens if I don’t clean my hairbrush?
If you’ve ever let a bunch of hair accumulate in your brush, you probably noticed it doesn’t work as well. But that’s not the only problem. A dirty hairbrush can also have consequences for your scalp.
1. It can clog hair follicles
Hairbrushes often collect dead skin cells, oils, and product buildup, Dr. Zubritsky says. This combination can clog pores and harm your scalp, leading to issues like scalp acne or folliculitis (i.e., when your hair follicles are infected or inflamed), she says.
2. It can lead to dandruff
“Your hairbrush is a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, including Malassezia (a yeast known to trigger dandruff),” Dr. Zubritsky says. Even if you’re using anti-dandruff shampoo, yeast can still build up on your brush, and every time you use it, you’re basically putting that gunk right back on your scalp, she says.
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3. It can irritate or damage your scalp
“Nothing good comes from using a dirty hairbrush, especially if you have a sensitive scalp,” Dr. Zubritsky says. “Dirt, debris, bacteria, old product, and dead skin cells can be transferred back to you scalp through your brush, leading to irritation and sensitivity issues.”
When to replace your hairbrush
We know–it can be hard to let go of your go-to hairbrush. But the health of your scalp depends on it. In general, it’s a good idea to replace your brush every six months. Here are some signs that your brush needs an upgrade, per Dr. Zubrtisky:
The bristles or handles are damaged, bent, cracked, or missing
Your brush isn’t working as well (when your brush isn’t working right, it creates more friction and traction on your scalp and hair, which can lead to damage)
Your brush has a persistent odor (despite regular cleaning)
Your hair appears more oily or greasy
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