Here's How to Get a Healthier Scalp, According to Hair Specialists (2025)

Prioritizing a healthy scalp in your hair care routine will do wonders for your hair health. We forget that the scalp is skin and that it can experience a long list of skincare woes thanks to our environment and genetics.

Luckily, even if you're someone who suffers from dry scalp, scalp acne, or dandruff, experts say it's possible to give your scalp the reset it needs. But what does a healthy scalp even look like? We turned to hair experts, including a certified trichologist, to find out how to get a healthy scalp.

What Are the Signs of a Healthy Scalp?

"A healthy scalp is pink in tone, well-hydrated, smooth, and free of flakes and any redness," says hair specialist Abe Ayesh. "When brushing your hair, there also shouldn't be any pain or flakes." A healthy scalp should also be free of irritation or itchiness, have a balanced sebum production (not to dry or greasy), and feel supple to the touch.

An unhealthy scalp can show up as skin concerns on the scalp or issues with your hair. "An unhealthy scalp shows hair loss, hair breakage, dandruff, redness, pain, acne, and cysts," says Ayesh.

Tips for a Healthy Scalp

Certified trichologist Penny James says there are a lot of factors that can contribute to an unhealthy scalp. Hormonal imbalances, poor diet, genetics, stress, and even changes in prescription medication can all impact the look and feel of hair and scalp. If you're experiencing an unhealthy scalp, there are several things you can try to get it back on track.

Wash Your Hair

According to James, one way to have a healthy scalp is by washing your hair regularly. Depending on your hair type and texture, you may need to wash more or less often to restore balance to your scalp.

Be Gentle with Hair Care

Be gentle when washing, combing, brushing, and styling your hair. Use silk scrunchies and pillow cases to prevent hair loss, and avoid scrubbing at your scalp when cleansing as this can cause painful abrasions.

Use a Scalp Treatment

Just as you would treat your hair to a little TLC with a hair mask, you should also do the same for your scalp. Exfoliants and masks are beneficial to deeply clean, remove buildup, and moisturize your scalp. You can also make your own scalp treatment with ingredients from your pantry. Olive oil, coconut oil, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and peppermint oil are known to help condition, detoxify, and aid in scalp health.

Try a Scalp Massager

A scalp massager can also remove buildup and help to stimulate blood flow. It's also relaxing and a great way to decompress in the shower after a long day. To use a scalp massager, simply hold it in the palm of your hand and apply slight pressure. Move in circular motions around your scalp (you can massage with or without shampoo). Rinse the scalp massager and let it dry.

Use Heat Styling Tools in Moderation

Using hot tools regularly can deplete your hair of moisture, causing your hair and scalp to dry out. This excess heat can contribute to itchiness, redness, and irritation. When you do use hot tools, always apply a heat protectant to your hair, and don't place the iron too close to your scalp.

Apply SPF

"I tell all my clients to apply a spray SPF onto their scalps if they are going to be out in the sun all day," says James. "UV rays penetrate deep into the dermis, and if you have thinning hair on the crown area, your skin is very susceptible to getting burned and getting skin cancer in worst-case scenarios."

Avoid Harsh Chemicals in Hair Products

James and Ayesh recommend using gentle hair care products. "We also instruct patients to pay attention to the products they're using and switching to sulfate-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free products, which can have a significant impact on your scalp health," says Ayesh.

Try Act+Acre Cold Processed Cleanse formula, which puts scalp health at the forefront of its formula. To address itchiness, antibacterial haircare is a good option.

Evaluate Your Diet

Consider your daily food and water intake. Make sure you are drinking enough water to keep your body hydrated, and incorporate protein, omega-3s, fish oil, and fruits and vegetables packed with antioxidants into your diet. Berries, beans, sweet potatoes, dark leaf greens, nuts, and certain herbs are all great options to incorporate easily into your meals. Not only will eating these foods aid in your scalp health, they will also make your hair shinier and stronger.

Increase Your Antioxidants

Sometimes, you just need more antioxidants to get your body and scalp to a healthy state. "Antioxidants are good for all things hair, skin, and nails," says dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD. "The beauty of antioxidants is that they have the ability to neutralize free radical damage from the environment."

You can boost your antioxidant intake with supplements, foods, serums, or shampoos for your scalp. They all offer your bodyprotection when it‘s faced with free-radical damage, notes Nazarian.

"Some antioxidants also offer anti-inflammatory benefits, which can be calming to skin and scalp as well. Leave-on hair products that contain antioxidants offer better protection than many shampoo versions by increasing exposure to the beneficial ingredients," says Nazarian. "Most notably, there are really little to no side effects from the addition of antioxidants into your scalp care. Given the risk/reward ratio, I would absolutely support it."