First, let's not forget the benefits of a scalp scrub, because there are quite a few. It's the whole reason this new hair-care step started buzzing around in the first place. "Scalp scrubs help remove sebum and dead skin cells while cleansing, balancing and purifying the scalp," said Dr. Adams. "This is essential to maintain a healthy scalp which in turn promotes a healthy head of hair." Similar to the skin on your face and the rest of your body, exfoliation is key.
But if you notice an increase in immediate hair loss when you go to rinse the scalp scrub out in the shower, Dr. Adams confirmed it's nothing to be worried about. "Hair fall is a natural part of the hair lifecycle," he said. "Using a scalp scrub may dislodge or loosen hairs that are ready to fall anyway, making it appear like there is more hair collected in your drain."
Scalp exfoliators aren't causing healthy hair to fall out, but rather dead, loose hair that was going to shed anyway. "It is normal to lose around 50 to 100 strands per day and some of your loose hair strands tend to get held in place by styling products, so when you exfoliate the scalp your loose hairs will fall out," said Dr. Adams. He related it to the hair loss you see with regularly brushing your hair. "If you brush your hair every day you do not notice hair fall as much as would if you are only brushing every two-to-three days."