How to Layer Caffeine Scalp Treatment with Your Wash-Day Routine

Quick answer

Apply your caffeine scalp treatment directly to a clean, dry scalp at night, then leave it on until your next wash. If you also use a pre-wash exfoliating scalp treatment, do that first on dry hair, rinse it out, shampoo, and apply the caffeine treatment to the towel-dried scalp. The key is to keep the caffeine treatment as the last leave-on step so it stays in contact with the scalp overnight.

Your wash-day scalp routine, step by step

1. Start with a dry scalp check: Before you wet your hair, part it in a few places and look for flakes, redness, or heavy buildup. If you see flakes or feel a lot of product residue, plan to use a pre-wash exfoliating treatment. If your scalp looks clean, you can skip straight to shampoo. Mistake to avoid: assuming you always need to exfoliate. Over-exfoliating can leave your scalp feeling tight and irritated.
2. Apply pre-wash exfoliant if needed: On dry hair, apply the Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment directly to the scalp in sections. Massage it in gently with your fingertips, leave it on for the time stated on the label, then rinse thoroughly. This step is for flakes, oil, and buildup, not for every single wash. Checkpoint: your scalp should feel clean but not stripped after rinsing.
3. Shampoo and condition as usual: Shampoo your scalp to remove the exfoliant and any loosened flakes. Condition the mid-lengths and ends, but try to keep heavy conditioner off the scalp so it does not block the next step. Rinse well. Mistake to avoid: leaving conditioner residue on the scalp, which can make the caffeine treatment sit on top of product instead of skin.
4. Towel-dry your scalp: Gently pat your hair and scalp with a towel so the scalp is damp, not soaking wet. The caffeine stimulating scalp treatment is designed to be applied to the scalp, and a damp scalp helps you part the hair more easily and spread the product evenly. Checkpoint: no dripping water, but the scalp should not be bone dry either.
5. Apply the caffeine scalp treatment: Part your hair in rows and apply the caffeine stimulating scalp treatment directly to the scalp, focusing on areas where you want more thickness or where you notice shedding. Use your fingertips to massage it in for about a minute. Do not rinse it out. Mistake to avoid: applying it only to the hair strands. The product needs to reach the scalp to do its job.
6. Leave it on overnight: Go to sleep with the treatment in place. If you use a silk pillowcase or a towel over your pillow, that can help protect your bedding. In the morning, you can rinse it out or leave it in if your scalp tolerates it, but most people prefer to wash it out on the next wash day. Checkpoint: if you wake up with irritation, try applying it earlier in the evening and rinsing before bed instead.
7. Repeat consistently: Use the caffeine treatment every night, or as close to every night as your routine allows. The catalog facts note that consistent use over a 3 month period produces best results, so mark your calendar and take a photo at the start so you can track changes objectively. Mistake to avoid: judging results after one week. Scalp treatments need time.

Product facts

• Caffeine stimulating scalp treatment: An overnight hair growth serum that uses caffeine powder and RedensylTM to help reduce hair loss by stimulating the scalp and hair follicles, encouraging hair growth and helping to improve hair thickness. This is a leave-on treatment, so it belongs at the end of your wash-day routine, not before shampoo.
• Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment: A pre-wash treatment formulated to gently exfoliate and slough off dead skin cells on the scalp's surface to eliminate product buildup, reduce flakes, and minimize excess oil. Clinically proven to deliver visible results after one use. Use this before you shampoo when your scalp feels congested or flaky, then follow with your caffeine treatment on clean skin.