Nope, Scalp Treatments Aren’t Just a Beauty Trend

I have an embarrassing story to tell. But here’s the thing—it’s not about me!—so I feel comfortable sharing it for all the internet to read: My sibling has a troubled scalp. Like, keep-you-up-at-night itchy, “is that a snowflake on your shoulder?” troubled. Lucky for him, one of this year’s biggest beauty trends is scalp treatments. “One of the most common reasons is to treat a dry, flaky scalp and itching,” says Dr. Karyn Grossman, celebrity dermatologist and co-founder of Raf Five Skincare. The other reason is hair loss, she adds.

“Depending on what is happening with your scalp, there are a few great ingredients to look for in your treatments,” Grossman says. “Always remember that scalp treatments do best with leave-on products, for example, ones that you either put on before the shower for 10 minutes or so, or overnight then wash out in the morning.” And don’t forget—they’re called scalp treatments, not hair: “Scalp treatments need to be massaged into the scalp—not the hair—for them to work.“

Below are the internet’s best-reviewed treatments to give you a healthy scalp, which means thicker, shinier hair—happy massaging.