What Does Glycolic Acid Do for Hair?

March 24, 2023

By: Truly Beauty

Can using glycolic for hair really increase shine and revive dry, damaged hair?

According to experts, yes. As an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), it exfoliates and removes dead skin cells, removing scalp buildup and excess oil for stronger, shinier strands. Best of all, it's effective for most hair types including dry, oily, and flaky. 

Ahead, we share everything you should know about glycolic acid for hair.

BENEFITS OF GLYCOLIC ACID FOR HAIR

According to dermatologists, glycolic acid may have some benefits for your scalp and strands. Here are the top benefits of applying glycolic acid on your scalp.

Prevents Greasy Hair

Since glycolic acid exfoliates, it sloughs away dead skin cells, excess oil, and product buildup on the scalp, which translates to less greasy hair and less flaking. While your shampoo is designed to cleanse away dirt and oil, it can only do so much. From time to time, it can be beneficial to perform scalp exfoliation just to buff away any buildup on the scalp. By removing this buildup, it not only promotes a healthy scalp, but stops hair from getting greasy.

Over time, between hair masks, conditioners, and styling products, hair can end up getting weighed down, which leaves it looking limp and greasy. Glycolic acid scalp exfoliation can help prevent this and keep your strands looking fresh.

Reduces Dry Scalp

Glycolic acid is both a humectant and an exfoliant, meaning it attracts hydration while removing buildup to prevent dryness and flaking. It may be an effective way to incorporate gentle exfoliation into your scalp care routine, and keep your scalp and hair moisturized.

Promotes Healthy Hair Growth

By gently removing dead skin cells and dirt, glycolic acid used as a scalp scrub may help promote healthy hair growth. Of course, if you have a condition such as alopecia, it shouldn’t be used as a hair growth treatment. Speak to a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing hair loss. However, since exfoliation promotes a healthy scalp, it can also promote healthy hair growth. 

May Alleviate Dandruff

TikTokers swear by glycolic acid for diminishing dandruff. Since dandruff is typically caused by a buildup of dead skin on the scalp, sloughing it away with a gentle exfoliant may be able to help.

DISADVANTAGES OF GLYCOLIC ACID FOR HAIR

While glycolic acid does offer many benefits for the scalp, there are some less desirable effects of using it as a hair treatment.

It May Irritate the Scalp

Applying a glycolic acid based product to the scalp should be safe as long as the product is designed for the scalp. However, dermatologists warn against using glycolic acid skincare products on the scalp, as they may end up causing irritation. 

It May Cause Hair Loss

As per the derms, long-term use of glycolic acid can actually weaken the hair and lead to hair loss. It’s best to limit use to once a week and after that only once every month to enjoy the benefits and none of the side effects. Or to be on the safe side, use a product with a very low concentration of glycolic acid.

It May Cause Breakage

Glycolic acid may also dry out the hair and lead to breakage — especially if you use it regularly. If you have dry hair or are prone to frizz, glycolic acid can make things worse. For that reason, it’s best to limit use of the active ingredient or use a completely different product altogether.

IS GLYCOLIC ACID GOOD FOR HAIR?

There are both advantages and disadvantages of using glycolic as a scalp exfoliator. If you would like to give it a try, make sure you use a product designed especially for the hair and scalp to avoid any unwanted side effects.

Those with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis should consult a dermatologist before using any acids on their scalp, as they may worsen your symptoms.

If you’re on TikTok, you’ve no doubt seen everyone ranting and raving about glycolic acid as a dandruff treatment. Like with all TikTok trends, always do your research before trying it at home to avoid any undesirable side effects.

When it comes to using glycolic acid on your scalp, make sure you purchase a gentle formula that’s made for the scalp rather than applying a glycolic acid-based skincare product. And if you have any questions or concerns, always consult a professional.

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