Banish Buildup
Natural Ways to Clarify Hair Does your hair feel weighed down or look limp and lifeless? Dull, greasy strands with flaky residue may indicate product buildup. Read on to learn natural methods to revive fresh, clean locks.
Introduction
Modern hair care regimens involve an array of styling products – from thickening mousse and smoothing serums to thermal protectants and texturizing sprays. While these solutions produce picture-perfect styles, they leave behind sticky residue that accumulates over time. Removing this oily film restores bounce and shine.
The Causes of Compounded Residue
Today’s potent styling products contain silicone, waxes, and oils that coat the cuticle to temporarily improve texture, frizz, and volume. However, these ingredients are not water soluble. They require strong detergents to wash away completely. Daily cleansing with standard shampoos fails to remove all traces effectively.
Over weeks and months, remaining waxy deposits fuse with sebum, dead skin cells and pollutants to create a thick film impeding moisture and weighing down follicles. This buildup not only makes hair appear dirty, it can clog follicles leading to growth issues.
Spotting Buildup Clues
How do you know if residue accumulation is damaging your strands ?
Telltale signs include:
-Accelerated greasiness and limpness -White flakes around the scalp -Changed texture and diminished shine
-Increased tangling and breakage -Slow moisture absorption -Reduced volume
-Faded color
If your once bouncy, vibrant mane seems perpetually dirty, buildup removal is in order.
Deep Cleanse with Clarifying Shampoos
Powerful clarifying shampoos dissolve oil, sweat, dirt and product using degreasing surfactants not found in daily formulas. Strong anionic detergents like sulfates cut through accumulations, emulsify oil and strip away years of accumulated impurities clogging follicles.
For best results, massage clarifying shampoo directly onto dry hair before washing as usual. The solution’s skin-safe acids will induce foaming as they dissolve deposits. Rinse thoroughly before conditioning as normal. Stick to clarifying once a week at most to avoid excessive drying. Those with color-treated or dry hair may prefer milder sulfate-free options.
Baking Soda Blast
For a completely natural deep cleanse, plain baking soda effectively removes buildup without harsh detergents. Simply stir a tablespoon of baking soda into palmful of water until dissolved into a thin paste. Gently massage the paste into hair, concentrating on oiliest regions around the crown. Allow to soak five minutes before rinsing cleanly. The baking soda will deodorize and restore a healthy pH balance. Use this treatment monthly avoiding direct contact with eyes.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Rinse Acetic acid in raw apple cider vinegar serves as a natural cleansing, detangling and shine-boosting rinse. Once a month, shampoo hair as usual then carefully pour equal parts cool water and vinegar over strands. Allow the solution to soak two to five minutes before rinsing. Vinegar’s antimicrobial properties will further detoxify the scalp. Lightly towel dry and style as desired.
Deep Scrub Magic
Eraser Clarifying For stubborn buildup, reach for the Deep Scrub Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. This mighty melamine foam block contains no harsh chemicals – only water, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen in an open-cell structure that lifts deposits with minimal friction. Gently rub damp eraser across oily areas and watch it magically lift dirt and oils keeping strands looking squeaky clean between clarifying shampoos.
Detox Healthy Scalp
Avoid future buildup by washing diligently, protecting hair at night, minimizing daily products and incorporating clarifying solutions into your routine. Focus on scalp health using exfoliating scrubs and microneedling tools to prevent dead skin cell/sebum buildup that travels down the follicle. Keep your mane clean, fresh and flowing with natural detoxifying tricks.
The Takeaway
Don’t ignore lackluster hair weighed down by accumulation. Periodically clarify using surfactants, acid rinses and physical scrubs to lift oily residues without damaging delicate strands. Detox helps restore body, shine and scalp health between colorings. Natural methods prevent buildup so locks flow freely.