Choosing the right clarifying shampoo

A collection of tips and advice to help you find the shampoo most suiting your needs and expectations

Almost everyone has heard of clarifying shampoo, however not everyone knows what it is and the proper way to use it.

The purpose of this kind of shampoo is to deep clean the hair and remove product buildup. Products that are used for styling such as mousse, gel, hair spray, and even shampoo and conditioners that are used daily can build up over time.

As these products build up, they can add weight to the hair making it appear flat.

These products can also make hair appear lifeless and over time, the hair will begin to lose its shine.

Using a clarifying shampoo periodically can work to remove the buildup and restore the bounce and natural highlights to hair.

Ingredients
The key ingredient that is found in most types of clarifying shampoo products is acetic acid. This chemical compound is relatively mild and will not cause damage to the hair. Vinegar is one example of a household product that has acetic acid in it. Vinegar is commonly used as a cleaner for coffee makers to remove buildup and residue. It works to remove buildup without causing damage to the coffee maker, the same way that this product works to remove buildup without damaging the hair follicles.

Another ingredient that is found in many brands of this type of shampoo is lauryl sulfate. This product, contrary to popular belief, is one of the safest cleansers that are available on the market today. It is known to cause dry scalp in some people, especially those that live in a dry climate, however most people do not have a problem.

There are several other products that may be found in some brands.

Non-sulfate cleansers include ingredients such as sodium cocoyl isethionate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl, and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate.

Many people find that shampoos that contain non-sulfate cleansers normally do not work as well to clarify the hair but are usually safe enough to be used daily.

These products are formulated to be used daily without drying the hair or the scalp.

How to use
Although each brand of shampoo will have its own set of recommendations, it is common practice to use it monthly. Some people prefer to use it bi-monthly or even once a week, depending on how many styling products they use on a daily basis. Clarifiers are known to dry the hair and scalp and so they should be used sparingly.

After clarifying, a deep-conditioning treatment is recommended to help nourish the hair. Many people skip the deep-conditioning treatment and use their regular conditioner. This will also work, however many people find that they must use more of their normal conditioner than usual immediately following the clarifying shampoo. Those that color their hair might notice that their color fades sooner if they use a clarifier too frequently.

This shampoo is used the same way as any other shampoo. It is lathered into the hair, rinsed, and then can be repeated if desired. Many brands recommend that the user allows the clarifying shampoo to sit in the hair for a few minutes before rinsing it away to help remove the buildup.

» Go to Part 2: Using Clarifying Shampoo

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Media

How to Condition Hair Prior to Coloring : Applying Hair Clarifying Shampoo


Links

Hair Care - Wikipedia