The road to a full head of hair and less thinning is often paved with a multi-part strategy. It’s not only the shampoo you use or the vitamins you take, but rather a well-rounded and more holistic approach that will deliver the best results. And, according to experts, it should start at the scalp.Dr. Divya Shokeen is a board-certified dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon specializing in non‑surgical hair restoration. She said that scalp health is foundational to healthy hair growth because it’s a living environment made up of thousands of follicles, each of which relies on clean, well-oxygenated, inflammation-free tissue to function properly.“When the scalp is balanced and healthy, follicles cycle normally and produce stronger, more resilient hair,” Shokeen said. “When the scalp is compromised through excess buildup, chronic inflammation, or poor circulation, it can disrupt the hair growth cycle and contribute to thinning or shedding.”Scalp scrubs, Shooken agreed, are one simple product addition that, while not normally a direct hair growth treatment, do help create more favorable conditions for optimal hair growth. She said that they can even enhance the effectiveness of topically applied hair loss treatments that you may be using, like minoxidil, peptides or perscription treatments, because they can penetrate more effectively. In terms of use, scalp scrubs might prove to be the lowest-maintenance (and most affordable) part of your hair-growth routine since Shooken said that, for most individuals, using one just once weekly is adequate.Of course, like with all beauty goods, different formulas will suit different hair and scalp types better than others, so keep reading to see the specific ingredients and scalp scrubs that Shookeen and other board-certified dermatologists suggest in the list ahead.The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.TargetA budget-friendly scrub with soothing ingredients"Soothing ingredients like aloe, tea tree, or peppermint help calm irritation and support a balanced scalp environment," Shokeen said. She also said she prefers sugar-based scrubs over large, coarse physical exfoliants because they dissolve easily with water, which helps prevent over-scrubbing, and provide controlled mechanical exfoliation without being too abrasive. Based on Shokeen's guidance, we selected the Mielle rosemary mint clarifying sugar scrub, the brand behind the ultra-viral hair-strengthening oil that many users claim has improved their hair growth. Just like the reviewer-beloved oil, the scalp scrub also contains rosemary oil, which can potentially accelerate hair growth by improving blood circulation in the scalp, thereby stimulating hair follicles, as well as nourishing hydrators like shea butter. AmazonA scalp and body scrub that's good for hair on the drier sideAnother great sugar-based option is this multitasking scalp and body scrub by Ouai that was recommended by board-certified dermatologist and founder of Radiant Dermatology Associates, Dr. Dara Spearman. "[This is] a great pick if your hair tends to be on the drier side," Spearman said. "it has key ingredients like panthenol and glycerin, which are very hydrating, [and] it’s free of harsh ingredients like sulfates, SLS and SLES."Infused with the addictive rose scent of which many of Ouai's products are known, this clarifying scrub gently removes dead skin, product buildup and oil from the scalp as it delivers moisture back into the surface so hair and scalp are both soft and clean. AmazonA micro-exfoliating shampoo containing charcoal Dr. Mona Foad, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology, said that scalp products from Briogeo "are well-formulated and tend to balance exfoliation with scalp comfort."This particular Briogeo Scalp Revival shampoo formula uses plant-based micro-exfoliants to gently remove dead skin and build up gently and effectively through physical exfoliation. The once-a-week treatment also contains detoxifying charcoal, hydrating coconut oil and a blend of tea tree and peppermint oil to help soothe troubled scalps and manage inflammation. AmazonAn exfoliating scalp mask by a trusted name in hair growthSpearman suggested the Nutrafol Build-Up Blocker Exfoliating scalp mask, which she said is suitable for all hair types, especially those prone to oily scalp or hair thinning. You may already be familiar with the Nutrafol name, as it's a brand that's become a fast favorite for treating hair loss with its line of supplements. "It's formulated with [fruit-derived] alpha hydroxy acids and jojoba esters to control oil production and remove dead skin cells," Spearman said, which are typically glycolic or lactic acids that gently exfoliate dead skin cells, encourage cellular turnover and improve overall scalp texture. Intended to be used more like a rinse-off mask rather than a scrub, this treatment also contains expert-recommended glycerin for hydration and amino acids, which can help strengthen hair strands. AmazonAn exfoliating scalp mask by a dermatologist-loved brandSpearman previously mentioned her appreciation for panthenol in scalp products for its hydrating properties, but Foad also suggests it for its ability to soothe and calm scalp inflammation, which often leads to excess shedding. That's one of the reasons why we selected this purifying scalp mask by Jupiter, a hair care brand that's been previously suggested to HuffPost by dermatologists.This foaming exfoliant cools as it clarifies troubled, flaky scalps using volcanic ash to remove dead skin, without the need for harsh scrubbing. It also contains hydating argan oil and biotin, an ingredient that may improve hair thickness and strand luster. TypologyA scrub that combines both chemical and physical exfoliationAll of the dermatologists we spoke to regaled the benefits of choosing a scalp scrub containing chemical exfoliants, specifically glycolic and salicylic, because, as Foad explained, it's more gentle and can soften the scalp while disolving buildup. This pre-shampoo exfoliation treatment by Typology caught our eye because it uses a 5% blend of poly hydroxy acid, which is even gentler than alpha hydroxy acids. The brand claims that these PHAs can dissolve dead skin cells while also increasing the scalp's natural moisture. It also uses ultra-gentle micro-mineral exfoliators as well as biodegradable jojoba beads for added physical exfoliation, but because the beads have no jagged edges, they won't cause micro-tears in the scalp. The dual-action treatment is finally rounded out with soothing oils that the dermatologists also suggested for helping to calm and reduce inflammation. SephoraA scalp exfoliator that features a blend of derm-recommended acidsAnother chemical exfoliant that we chose to include on this list for many reasons is this pre-shampoo treatment by HuffPost beauty editor-beloved brand, Living Proof, which takes a skin care-inspired approach to scalp care. Suitable for all hair types, this serum is the only product on this list that contains a blend of AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs to offer all of the specific benefits that these acids have to offer. It's also miraculously gentle enough to use up to three times per week, thanks to its inclusion of soothing botanical extracts and humectants that draw moisture into the skin, as well as a skin barrier-boosting prebiotic. AmazonA well-known purifying sea salt scalp scrubChristophe Robin is a recognized name in scalp scrubs and a brand that Foad also recommends. This deep-cleansing formula for buildup-heavy and itchy scalps can help rebalance oil production so roots and less greasy and hair looks fuller. It uses sea salt crystals to physically exfoliate flakes and buildup, bisabolol to soothe and a complex that the brand claims adds hydration back into the scalp.AmazonA purifying scalp scrub for more hair volumeKérastase, though pricy, is another brand whose scalp scrub Foad recommends. This sea salt-based formula promises to whisk away impurities and add volume to roots so hair looks fuller, even after the scrub has been washed out. Also targeted for oily hair types and flaky scalps, the Scrub Énergisant contains salicylic acid and vitamin B6 to balance sebum production to prevent clogged follicles that are unable to grow hair.The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.