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Hair-care guide

Scalp Buildup: How to Tell and How to Clear It

TheWashDay editorial · Updated · From the American Academy of Dermatology · How we compare

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Scalp build-up is product, oil and sweat that a regular wash isn’t fully removing. It shows up as waxy or dull roots, an itchy or coated feeling, and flakes that look like dried gel or cream. It is common with curly hair because of leave-ins, creams and gels and longer gaps between washes. A clarifying shampoo on the scalp, in place of your regular one, removes most product residue, so it is the simple thing to try first. If the coating and flakes stay away afterwards, keeping product off the scalp and washing often enough may be all you need.

How to tell

  • Roots feel waxy or coated even right after washing.
  • Flakes look like dried product and come off the hair as much as the skin.
  • Products seem to stop working, or hair feels heavier than usual.
  • It builds up over weeks of the same routine, rather than appearing overnight.

How to clear it

  • Use a clarifying shampoo in place of your regular shampoo on the next wash.
  • Massage it into the scalp with your fingertips and rinse until the water runs clear.
  • Condition the lengths as usual.
  • Keep leave-ins, creams and oils off the scalp afterwards.
  • Then shampoo the scalp often enough that it doesn’t build up again.
Clarifying shampoos for curly hair, compared How to clarify curly hair

When it isn’t build-up

If a clarifying wash doesn’t change anything, the flakes may be dandruff or something a dermatologist should look at.

Dandruff vs dry scalp Find a dermatologist (American Academy of Dermatology)

Updated · The sources for this guide are on our Sources page. Report a changed detail.

Your next step

Signs of product build-up on hair →

Scalp exfoliation →