The FRO Guide to Scalp Health

SCALP WELLNESS

WASH DAY ROUTINE FOR THE DANDRUFF & SEBORRHOEIC DERMATITIS GIRLIES

Managing dandruff on textured hair can feel like a delicate balancing act. You want a clean, calm scalp, but traditional anti-dandruff advice often leaves our coils feeling stripped, brittle, and dry.

Flaking and persistent itchiness can often be caused by seborrhoeic dermatitis — a common skin condition linked to an inflammatory reaction to naturally occurring yeast on the scalp. To tackle flaking without sacrificing your hair’s hydration, the secret is separating your scalp care from your hair strand care.

Here are 7 steps to a healthy scalp, designed to clear flakes while preserving every bit of your hair's moisture.

Step 1: Scalp Prep & Pre-Poo

Before adding water, reach for our FRO Scalp Serum. Apply it directly to a dry or slightly damp scalp and gently massage it in. This essential pre-wash treatment helps to soften and lift stubborn flakes, break down product build-up, and soothe the skin barrier before you go in with active cleansers.

Step 2: Gentle Finger Detangle

Never jump straight into a wash with matted curls. Apply a slippery leave-in conditioner to dry or slightly damp hair to melt away knots, using your hands to gently detangle with your fingers rather than a comb. Finger detangling gives you total control to feel out tangles and prevent unnecessary shedding when applying targeted treatment shampoos later.

• Current favourites: Camille Rose Moisture Milk or the Enitan Leave-In Conditioner.

Step 3: Targeted Scalp Wash

This is where you address the root cause. Apply a targeted shampoo directly to your scalp. Depending on your hair and scalp needs, some may benefit from active ingredients like Ketoconazole, Coal Tar, or Salicylic Acid. If you're unsure which active ingredient your scalp needs, seek support from a healthcare professional or dermatologist for tailored advice.

• Focus: Keep this shampoo exclusively on your scalp — treatment formulas can be drying for textured hair strands.
• Technique: Shampoo and rinse using cool water only to avoid stripping your scalp or aggravating inflammation. Massage into the roots, follow the instructions on the pack carefully (most active shampoos need a few minutes to sit), and rinse out thoroughly.
• Current favourite: Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.

Step 4: Hydrating Shampoo

Now that your scalp is treated, turn your attention to your hair lengths. Apply a rich, moisture-restoring shampoo through the mid-lengths and ends to clean the strands without disturbing the scalp treatment you just applied.

• Monthly reset: Once a month, swap this hydrating shampoo for a clarifying shampoo to clear away stubborn product build-up across your strands. Top-rated for textured hair, Curlsmith Wash & Scrub Detox Shampoo or As I Am Curl Clarity Shampoo work brilliantly to reset the hair without leaving it parched.

• Technique: Work through lengths and rinse out with cool water to keep the hair cuticle smooth.
• Current favourite: KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo.

Step 5: Deep Conditioning

Restoring moisture balance is non-negotiable after active treatments. Apply a rich deep conditioner from mid-shaft to ends, avoiding direct contact with the scalp so you don't clog freshly cleaned pores.

• Technique: Follow the instructions on the pack, gently detangling with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, then rinse cleanly with cool water.
• Current favourites: Enitan Deep Conditioner or Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioner.

Step 6: Cool Drying

Excessive heat and trapped moisture can both agitate scalp conditions. Air dry where possible, or dry your scalp on a cool setting only to remove excess moisture without scorching the skin.

• Heat protection: Always use a heat protector if you plan on applying any heat to your hair.
• Current favourite: Design Essentials Agave & Lavender Blow-Dry & Style Primer (Steps 3 & 4).

Step 7: Nourish & Seal

Finish your routine with targeted hydration. Apply a few drops of FRO Scalp Serum directly to the scalp to soothe and comfort the skin after wash day. You can also lightly smooth a drop through your hair shaft for light moisture and a healthy seal where needed.

FRO Grounded Baddie

Disclaimer: This guide is intended for educational purposes. If you are experiencing persistent, severe, or painful scalp irritation, please consult a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist for personalised medical advice.