Question Regarding Scalp Washing

**UP Lisa** · February 14th, 2012, 06:40 AM

Hi. I've recently started doing scalp washes to try to save the length from so much detangling. I'm wondering if I need to add anything to the length in between washing it such as more leave-in or serum, or oil? Does what's on there wear off, or anything? Should I just go by how it feels?

**Amber_Maiden** · February 14th, 2012, 07:49 AM

I put oil in my hair after I wash it, I find it does help my hair- but then again I have dry hair.

**UP Lisa** · February 14th, 2012, 07:59 AM

What I meant was this - after I wash it, I have been putting a serum in it to try to help with tangles. Do I need to add more of it during the time before I wash it again?

**littleizz** · February 14th, 2012, 08:02 AM

I've been washing only my scalp for over a year now - any length that gets washed is just due to runoff. I've tried oiling and found that my hair just can't take that much. It gets lank and stringy very quickly. Most of the time I just water- or baking soda-wash the scalp and condition from the nape of my neck down and that's enough to keep it soft until the next time I shower. My hair is relatively curly, though.

If I feel like having it be wavier/straighter, I will use a serum after I wash and, occasionally in between washes whenever I feel like it needs a little refresh. Right now I'm using an "argan oil treatment" from DermOrganic which I kind of felt conned into buying because I thought it was actual argan oil, not a cone

BUT, it smells great and my hair really seems to like it. So whatever works!

**HintOfMint** · February 14th, 2012, 08:15 AM

The problem with adding product like oil or serum on dry hair is that it is not sealing in any moisture since the hair is dry. Adding occlusive products (products that seal moisture in) over dry hair is likely to lead to crunchy ends. However, if the ends are a bit damp, then using a little bit should be fine.

However, if you're adding some sort of product that has humectants, which absorb moisture from the air, then it should be fine. However, if the air is dry, then humectants will draw moisture out of the hair and will dry out your hair even more.

**MsBubbles** · February 14th, 2012, 08:37 AM

I have to use the lightest oil I can find and mix it with water and mist it onto my ends. But this really only works well if I'm not planning on wearing my hair down at all. If I want to wear my hair down and have it look nice (and not like stringy rats' tails) I do a full wash with cones. Yes, I cheat, but I like it

.

The misted camellia oil + water is good for about a day and a half in updos. But eventually, especially in the winter, I have to re-apply. However, this usually means I feel like I need to wash the ends more regularly because the oil tends to attract fluff, dirt, the odd bit of dandruff, etc.

**UP Lisa** · February 14th, 2012, 09:02 AM

I figured if I added more serum I would have to wet the hair first. I thought maybe brushing, fingercombing, etc. would remove some of it over time.

**littleizz** · February 14th, 2012, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by UP Lisa

I figured if I added more serum I would have to wet the hair first. I thought maybe brushing, fingercombing, etc. would remove some of it over time.

If ever I add oil or serum in between washes I put a few drops in the palm of my hand, rub them together, and lightly run my hands down the length of my hair on either side. The only difference is whether I'm curly or straight (wavy). If I'm going curly I will lightly spritz my hair with a water bottle right after to bounce some life back into the curls. If I'm going wavy/straight, I will brush with a BBB to distribute a little better.

**Deborah** · February 14th, 2012, 09:48 AM

You don't need to add anything to the length of your hair when you scalp-only wash, as you are not removing anything to begin with. Conditioners, serums, etc., are mostly needed to replace moisture that one removes from the hair by washing.

**MsBubbles** · February 14th, 2012, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Deborah

You don't need to add anything to the length of your hair when you scalp-only wash, as you are not removing anything to begin with. Conditioners, serums, etc., are mostly needed to replace moisture that one removes from the hair by washing.

For the most part I find that to be true but the older my ends get, the more they need tending to, scalp washes or not! But you're right, there certainly is less need to oil between full washes.