Despite the name, facials aren’t limited to just your face; in fact, they can benefit your scalp, too.
asserted
they → limit → scalp
The Korean scalp facial is the latest in a long line of trending K-beauty routines, and for good reason: Those who’ve tried it rave about how it benefits their overall hair and scalp health.
asserted
it → trend → health
To find out more about what a Korean scalp facial does, I spoke to Madeline June, a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic medicine at The Well Westlake, and Christina Kim, a board-certified esthetician and founder of dupï studio.
asserted
I → find → studio
I also compiled a list of expert- and NBC Selected editor-recommended cleansers, exfoliants, conditioners and treatments you can use to get one at home.
asserted
you → compile → home
Cleansers in a Korean scalp facial should be able to remove buildup without stripping the scalp, says June.
asserted
June → remove → scalp
This shampoo comes recommended by dermatologists in our guide to K-beauty hair because it’s stimulating and gentle.
asserted
it → recommend → hair
It has biotin to help reduce breakage and rosemary oil to stimulate blood flow to your scalp, which brings more nutrients to your hair follicles and helps grow out your hair, according to the brand.
uncertain
which → have → brand
It’s free of parabens, sulfates and silicones, and it’s safe for color-treated hair.
asserted
it → ’ → hair
A gentle scalp exfoliant is a key step in a Korean scalp facial, and this Aromatica scalp scrub helps to detox your scalp by removing dead skin cells and oily residue.
asserted
scrub → help → cells
It has rosemary leaf extract, which helps to reduce itchiness and dryness and stimulates blood flow to help your hair grow healthier, according to the brand.
uncertain
hair → have → brand
It also has natural sea salt, which removes dead skin, making it great for dry, flaky scalps.
asserted
it → have → scalps
If you’re not a fan of physically exfoliating your skin, a liquid exfoliant is a great alternative to a scrub.
asserted
exfoliant → ’re → scrub
This one is made to help balance your scalp’s oiliness and remove sebum, dead skin and other buildup, according to the brand.
uncertain
one → make → brand
You can apply it directly to your scalp before shampooing, massaging it in gently, and rinse it out as normal.
asserted
You → apply → it
It also has rosemary extract to stimulate your scalp, along with vitamin E and citric acid to help soothe the skin.
asserted
It → have → skin
We can help you find
Best conditioner
asserted
you → help → conditioner
Conditioners help to strengthen and add moisture back to your hair after shampooing, and this one from Ryo is designed to reduce breakage and thicken hair, according to the brand.
uncertain
one → help → brand
It has caffeine extract to reduce hair loss and Korean ginseng to help treat signs of aging on the scalp, according to Ryo.
uncertain
It → have → Ryo
It’s also free of mineral oil, fragrance and sulfates, is also pH-balanced to help protect your scalp’s biome, making it great for sensitive skin.
asserted
it → ’ → skin
It’s also free from mineral oil, fragrance and sulfates.
asserted
It → ’ → oil
Best hair serum
Ampoules are highly-concentrated serums that are very popular in the K-beauty world.
asserted
that → concentrate → world
This ampoule in particular is great for dry or irritated scalps because it has an exosome complex that helps keep your hair and scalp moisturized, according to the brand.
uncertain
hair → have → brand
NBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin loves how easy the serum is to apply; it has a built-in, gua sha-inspired scalp brush that helps you massage the serum deeper into your scalp and roots.
asserted
you → love → scalp
The brush has comb-like bristles that Malin says makes it easy to work through her hair, and she likes that the twist-top keeps too much product from spilling out.
asserted
top → have → product
Although most conditioners are best concentrated on the lengths and ends of your hair, Kim suggests using this mask specifically for treating your scalp.
uncertain
Kim → concentrate → scalp
It has biotin, hydrolyzed keratin and peptides to help strengthen strands and improve hair elasticity, which is your hair’s ability to stretch and bounce back into shape, according to the brand.
uncertain
which → have → brand
It also includes amino acids to help retain moisture, and can be used daily since it’s lightweight, making it especially good for dry or thinning hair.
asserted
it → include → hair
This Mise en Scene option is a great finishing oil to use on your hair before styling it because it doubles as both a moisturizing oil and a heat protectant.
asserted
it → use → oil
It can protect your hair against heat up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the brand, and it has seven kinds of oils, including olive, coconut and jojoba, to moisturize.
uncertain
it → protect → olive
It’s also lightweight enough to prevent any greasy residue, layers well with other products and works for all hair types.
asserted
It → ’ → types
This scalp leave-in serum from Dr. Groot, one of our favorite K-beauty hair care brands, helps keep your scalp hydrated between washes.
asserted
serum → leave → washes
It has biotin and rosemary oil to strengthen and thicken your hair from the roots, plus it works for all hair types.
asserted
it → have → types
It’s highly rated with a 4.5-star average rating from nearly 200 reviews at Sephora, and reviewers say the oil is lightweight, non-greasy and doesn’t leave any residue.
asserted
oil → rat → residue
Scalp massages are great for supporting your follicle health, and this gua sha tool is made from a smooth, natural jade that helps to massage products deeper into your skin.
asserted
that → support → skin
It also helps stimulate blood flow and release tension around your scalp.
asserted
It → stimulate → scalp
The brand recommends dividing your hair into sections after washing and drying, then massaging the product into your scalp using long, gentle strokes of the tool.
asserted
brand → recommend → tool
A Korean scalp facial is basically a skin care-focused treatment for the scalp, according to my experts.
uncertain
facial → focus → experts
“A Korean scalp facial applies the same principles used in Korean facial care, including gentle exfoliation, hydration, barrier support and massaging, but to the scalp,” says Kim.
asserted
Kim → apply → scalp
“This is often described as the ‘skinification’ of scalp care because the scalp is skin and deserves more than shampoo alone.”
asserted
scalp → describe → shampoo
Depending on the treatment, scalp facials can address issues like product buildup, excess oil, dry or flaky skin, congestion around the follicles and scalp irritation, says June.
asserted
June → depend → follicles
…and 42 more, not listed.
The Aporia
