This One-Step Scalp Detox Transformed My Curls

At the beginning of the pandemic, with extra time to spare in lockdown, I began to pay more attention to my hair by way of a scalp detox ritual. I began with the power of touch with a good old-fashioned—and astonishingly cathartic—scalp massage. “Making space to slow down and simply touch the head creates an awareness of the amount of tension stored in the muscles of the scalp and head, as well as triggers endorphins that feel good and are good for our bodies,” New York City trichologist Bridgette Hill, also known as The Scalp Therapist, told me.

Once I started making the time to slowly knead my scalp for a few minutes at a time, I realized just how beneficial it was for melting away pent-up stress, as well as boosting blood flow to the hair follicles to promote hair growth and prevent hair fall. But what took these benefits to a whole other level is most favorite treatment of all: Act + Acre’s Cold Processed Scalp Detox treatment. It was recommended to me by my hairstylist and owner of East Village hair salon Treehouse Social Club Mischa G , and since using it weekly over the past few years, my scalp health—and in turn, my 3B curl pattern—has never been more robust.

Act+Acre Cold Processed Scalp Detox

Founded by hairstylist and trichologist Helen Reavy, plant-based hair care line Act + Acre is her solution for long-term hair wellness, which she believes is built on a foundation of scalp health. (Think: Skin care for the scalp.) The Scalp Detox pre-wash oil treatment is designed to swiftly dissolve away excess sebum and buildup while bringing the scalp microbiome back into balance to clear the pathway for optimal hair growth. A cocktail of hydrating moringa, strengthening baobab, and antioxidant-rich amaranth oils bolstered with a zing of soothing vetiver, the supercharged elixir is blended through a patented cold-processed technique (since traditional heat can compromise the potency) for maximum results. 

“I use it on all my clients at the beginning of their appointment because it clears the scalp of any dead skin or build up, so once they’re shampooed, cut, and styled, the scalp is as fresh as the new ’do,” explains Mischa G. It’s also an essential part of her own routine as she looks after her signature fluorescent yellow hair. “I don’t wash my hair often to prevent it from fading, so when I do, I use the Scalp Detox to exfoliate and rebalance the pH of my scalp,” she says. “My hair is bleached every two weeks, but since I’ve been using it, my hair has grown longer than it ever has in my adulthood.”