I know what you’re thinking right now? Salicylic acid is a powerful ingredient that’s found in your favorite skincare products, but not in haircare products. But believe it or not, when it comes to hair, the scalp is almost always forgotten. This is of course a shame, because the roots of the hair follicles determine the overall health of your hair, and taking time to care for your scalp and split ends should be one of our top priorities. So, we decided to focus on today’s topic, since salicylic acid is surprisingly found in many shampoo formulas, especially those designed to combat oily hair and dandruff issues.
The reason salicylic acid is so beneficial for hair and scalp health is that it exfoliates the skin and sloughs off dead skin cells. This happens not only on the face, but also on the scalp, because salicylic acid breaks down the bonds of dead skin cells to the outer surface. These cells are the cause of dandruff and other flakes. You may find that salicylic acid provides relief, but be careful: if you have a dry or sensitive scalp, it’s best to avoid salicylic acid altogether. Now that you know how salicylic acid works on your hair, let’s take a closer look at whether salicylic acid is good for oily hair.
Does salicylic acid help with oily hair?
Yes, she definitely knows! Salicylic acid can help improve oily hair in a variety of ways. Here are some of the key benefits of using a clever BHA on your scalp and hair.
Salicylic acid can penetrate the scalp
Since salicylic acid is oil-soluble, it can penetrate deep into the skin and remove layers of dead skin cells to reveal a layer of healthy skin cells underneath. You’ll find your scalp feels more comfortable, but it’s best to avoid using high levels of salicylic acid at first, as it can be too drying to the scalp. Instead, gradually work your way up to your skin’s tolerance for an effective BHA.
Salicylic acid can reduce dandruff
Dandruff often occurs when a layer of dead skin cells on the scalp is left untreated. This can cause an itchy and flaky scalp, and in some extreme cases, can lead to hair breakage. Introducing hair care products with low salicylic acid content can not only stimulate scalp exfoliation, but can also treat dandruff at the same time.
These are some of the main benefits of using salicylic acid for oily hair, but if you find that salicylic acid is too strong for your scalp, don’t hesitate to ask your hairdresser for alternatives.
Does salicylic acid damage your hair?
Not really. As effective as salicylic acid is for your skin, you’ll find it to be a completely safe addition to your hair care routine. You’ll find that it effectively removes dry skin from your scalp, reducing signs of dandruff and any irritation or itching caused by this condition. Salicylic acid is also paraben-free, meaning it won’t balance or damage your scalp or hair follicles, making it an easy and effective addition to your daily hair care routine. In fact, after a few weeks of using salicylic acid, you may notice an improvement in hair growth as well, proving that salicylic acid or its natural alternative, willow bark, won’t damage your hair.
Which ingredients are bad for oily hair?
The key ingredients to avoid when dealing with oily hair, or any other type of hair, are as follows.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Formaldehyde
- Parabens
- Diethanolamine (DEA)
- Triethanolamine (TEA)
- Monoethanolamine (MEA)
- Propylene glycol
- Synthetic fragrance
If you use traditional shampoo and conditioner, you will find it difficult to avoid the ingredients listed above. However, nowadays more than ever, natural shampoos are available in liquid or solid form. As they grow in popularity, many people are benefiting from beautiful curls without harmful chemicals.
Does Salicylic Acid Cleanse Hair?
Yes, as effective as exfoliating BHA is in treating blemishes and keeping skin clear, it can also keep hair healthy and prevent dandruff. It does this by breaking down the bonds of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin and forming a residue. In this residue, you will also find excess sebum, the skin’s natural oil, which can cause the roots of hair to become greasy and difficult to style if left untreated. In some cases, it can also cause acne on the scalp, also known as folliculitis.
Is Salicylic Acid Bad for the Scalp?
Not at all, in fact, using salicylic acid is very beneficial for your scalp as its exfoliating properties keep your scalp clean and healthy, and the signs of dandruff are significantly reduced. Before you go out and buy hair products containing salicylic acid, think about the health of your scalp. If it is too dry, it will be too sensitive to the use of BHA, and instead experience side effects such as itching, dryness, and flaking. Always consult your doctor before using new products in your daily routine.
What to do with oily hair?
There are some simple ways to effectively treat oily hair without causing too many problems. If your hair is oily, here are some examples of home treatments you can try.
Use products formulated specifically for oily hair
These include salicylic acid or alternatively willow bark, which, as you know by now, can effectively treat oily hair and keep it clean.
Wash your hair less often
It may feel like hell for those with oily hair, but washing too often will cause all the oil in your hair to be washed away. This only leads to the production of more oil, creating a vicious cycle.
Make sure to rinse your hair properly
The residue from hair care products will only prevent your freshly washed hair from staying fresh for long. Be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly so you have more time between washes.
Avoid touching too often
If you have oily hair, you should minimize twirling as much as possible, as this will only make the problem worse, as touching or even combing your hair can stimulate the sebaceous glands and draw excess oil into the hair itself.
