Do you feel like your hair just isn’t as vibrant, shiny and bouncy as it could be? If so, it may be time to consider using a clarifying shampoo. But how do you know when you should use a clarifying shampoo or if it’s what your hair truly needs? In this article, we’ll discuss the top five signs you need a clarifying shampoo.
1. Your Hair Looks Limp and Lifeless
One significant sign you need a clarifying shampoo is if your hair looks limp and lifeless. This lack of body can result from product buildup accumulated gradually on your scalp and hair. Wax, mousse, leave-in conditioners, silicone serums and even hairspray can lead to the accumulation, but it’s more likely if you use heavier products or apply styling aids more often.
Product buildup add weight to your hair and cause it to look flat and dull. If you’ve noticed that your hair just isn’t as bouncy and voluminous as it used to be, it may be time to give it a deep clean with a clarifying shampoo. Try washing your hair with clarifying shampoo once or twice a week, adjusting the frequency as you see how your hair reacts.
2. You’re Having a Hard Time Managing Your Hair
Another sign that you need a clarifying shampoo is if you’re having difficulty managing your hair. When product and oil buildup accumulates on your scalp and hair, it can be more challenging to style your hair how you want. Your hair may become unruly and difficult to control, leaving you frustrated and discouraged.
A clarifying shampoo can help strip away this buildup and make your hair lighter and easier to manage. It can also help improve the surface quality of your strands by restoring the cuticle layer.
Follow shampooing with a lightweight conditioner to help improve manageability without adding excessive amounts of oil back into your hair. Look for products with argan oil and other gentle moisturizers for the best results.
3. You Can’t Seem To Get Rid of Product Buildup, Even When Shampooing Regularly
Do you feel your shampoo doesn’t really lift serums and other products off your hair? Regular shampoos may not be able to remove stubborn buildup, especially if you use many styling products regularly. A clarifying shampoo, on the other hand, is specifically designed to remove buildup and leave your hair feeling clean and refreshed.
Adding clarifying shampoo to your weekly routine may help cut through old styling products and create a cleaner base to work with afterward. Consider using clarifying shampoo once a week for oilier hair or heavier styling, dropping it to a few times a month for dry hair or scalps.
4. Your Hair Feels Greasy After Washing It
If you’ve noticed you have greasy hair soon after washing it, it may be a sign that you need a clarifying shampoo. It could also be a sign that the shampoo you currently use isn’t strong enough for your hair.
The most likely culprit in this situation is a hydrating or moisturizing shampoo being used on oily or even normal hair. Because these products don’t work as well to remove oil, they’re typically only good for dry hair.
Another cause can be the way you wash your hair. Shampoo twice and follow with conditioner. The first shampoo helps break the surface tension of water and oils in your hair, allowing the second application to lift oil, dirt, and product buildup away. Use a quality conditioner to replace lost moisture instead of only shampooing once or washing with a shampoo that’s too weak to get the job done.
Very oily hair may simply need a clarifying shampoo a few times a month, no matter what you do. Try washing with one twice a month in addition to your regular shampoo to help cut through the excess oil.
5. Your Hair Reacts Inconsistently to Dyes, Perms or Bleach
Finally, if your hair reacts inconsistently to dyes, perms, or bleach, it may indicate that you need a clarifying shampoo. Product buildup can impair hair dye absorption, making it difficult for your hair to color evenly. Hard water minerals can also react with the chemicals in these products if not removed from your hair with a clarifying shampoo.
One of the tell-tale signs of mineral buildup in your hair is if it heats up excessively or reacts very quickly and unevenly to hair lighteners. This happens because iron and other minerals act as catalysts, speeding up the bleach reaction. Try using a clarifying shampoo before bleaching for mild cases or a chelating shampoo for more extreme mineral buildup. You may find that your hair is much easier to dye and lighten evenly.
A clarifying shampoo can help remove buildup, leaving your hair feeling clean and refreshed while dealing with the five most common signs of product buildup. They help improve your hair’s overall health and appearance when used correctly, so go ahead and give your hair the deep clean it deserves!