How to tell if you need clarifying shampoo?

Author: Tillman Marks V  |  Last update: Monday, August 4, 2025

6 signs that you might benefit from a clarifying shampoo Your hair looks and feels oily or greasy, even after washing. Your hair feels heavy or sticky. Your hair looks dull, limp, or lifeless. You hair has difficulty holding different styles.

How do you know if your hair needs clarifying shampoo?

A great way to tell if your hair needs clarifying is if it looks especially dull, if it's struggling to absorb moisture and products, or if you can visibly see the buildup or oil excess--as though it's just sitting on top of your strands.

Do I really need a clarifying shampoo?

``A clarifying treatment is essential in removing the build-up in your hair from product residue, metals, minerals, chlorine, hard water, and more. I recommend incorporating a clarifying treatment into your routine every other week to give your hair that feeling of a fresh start,'' Anderson says.

How often should you clarify shampoo?

How Often Should You Clarify? The average person should clarify once or twice a month, but if you use a lot of hair styling products or have hard water, you may need to clarify weekly. Be careful not to overuse clarifying shampoos as they can strip the scalp of the essential oils that keep hair healthy.

How do I know if my hair needs to be clarified?

A great way to tell if your hair needs clarifying is if it looks especially dull, if it's struggling to absorb moisture and products, or if you can visibly see the buildup or oil excess--as though it's just sitting on top of your strands.

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How to tell if your hair has buildup?

How Do You Know If Your Hair Has buildup?
  1. An oily scalp coupled with dry hair.
  2. Hair that appears dull.
  3. Hair that feels heavy.
  4. Hair that feels rough.
  5. Hair that feels unclean, even after washing.
  6. Uncharacteristic dandruff or a very dry scalp.

Do you use regular shampoo after using clarifying shampoo?

Yes, after using a clarifying shampoo, it's advisable to use a normal shampoo to help maintain moisture in your hair.

What is the curly girl method?

Here's how to do the Curly Girl Method step-by-step.
  • Step 0: Reset Wash. First up, do a reset cleanse to remove product build-up from your strands. ...
  • Step 1: Cleanse. Wash your hair with a co-wash conditioner or a sulfate-free, low-poo shampoo. ...
  • Step 2: Condition & Detangle. ...
  • Step 3: Style. ...
  • Step 4: Plop. ...
  • Step 5: Repeat.

In which situation would a clarifying shampoo be recommended?

Too much sebum, though, can cause your scalp and hair to appear oily. Since clarifying shampoo is specifically formulated to provide a deeper, more thorough cleanse than other types of shampoos, it's especially effective at removing excess sebum, which helps maintain a healthy scalp.

What are the disadvantages of clarifying shampoo?

Excessive use of clarifying products can cause hair breakage and scalp problems. With the deterioration of the balance of oils in the scalp, the hair becomes dry, frizzy, rough, uncontrollable and fragile.

Is Olaplex a clarifying shampoo?

Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo, Deep Cleans, Softens, Restores Shine, & Clarity, For All Hair Types Experiencing Product Buildup or Excess Oil, 8.5 fl oz. Amazon's Choice highlights highly rated, well-priced products available to ship immediately.

What can I use instead of clarifying shampoo?

Clarify hair with apple cider vinegar

Mix a few tablespoons with warm water, apply to your hair after shampooing and conditioning, and let it sit for a little while before rinsing out. Use this as a once-a-week detoxifier for softer, shinier, healthier looking hair.

Should I use conditioner after clarifying shampoo?

A weekly application can help maintain volume and a fresh feel. Thick or Coarse Hair: For thick or coarse hair, using a clarifying shampoo can help remove heavy product buildup that may weigh your hair down. However, it's crucial to follow up with a rich conditioner to maintain hydration and softness.

What is low porosity hair?

‌Low porosity hair is human hair that doesn't readily absorb water and treatments. Your hair may be low porosity if it takes a long time to wet and dry. If you use hair care products, they tend to stay on the surface of your hair rather than being absorbed. This makes hair care treatments less effective.

How do you know if you need a detox shampoo?

Signs You Need a Scalp Detox

Luke says that mild flaking, itching, or visible product buildup are the major signs that your scalp could benefit from a detox. But Hill says that most people should think about incorporating a scalp detox twice a year to prevent those scalp issues from popping up in the first place.

What do you avoid for Curly Girl Method?

For hair care products to be considered as Curly Girl-friendly is their ingredients to avoid in the INCI list of the hair care products. A Curly Girl-friendly hair care product must not contain sulfates, silicone, drying alcohol, parabens, and certain waxes and mineral oils.

What is the Irish curl pattern?

Irish curls, also known as Irish waves or Irish hair, are a unique and sometimes challenging hair type. Unlike uniform curl patterns, Irish curls have a distinctive dual texture: straighter on top with waves or curls hiding underneath.

How to know when to use clarifying shampoo?

Use a clarifying shampoo on your hair when:
  1. It's greasy - Can you physically feel the buildup of products on your hair? ...
  2. Your scalp itches - If you have a dry or itchy scalp, it could be caused by product build up. ...
  3. Your hair is dry - Dryness can be a sign of product build up, as moisture isn't able to penetrate through.

How many washes does it take for clarifying shampoo to work?

"Do three to four shampoos, not just one, and always follow up with a good treatment," suggests master colorist Melanie Smith. Depending on the amount of buildup and oils on your hair, the shampoo may not lather much, but that doesn't mean it's not working. Rinse very well.

Can I use baby shampoo as a clarifying shampoo?

If you have sensitive skin on your scalp, extremely dry hair, colored hair, or damaged hair, a normal clarifying shampoo may be too harsh. Instead of causing more damage to your hair, you may want to try using a baby shampoo.

Does Dawn dish soap clarify hair?

Can you use Dawn dish soap as a shampoo? Yes, it's clarifying, but it should be considered a last resort and should be done so sparingly. It can also strip color from your hair.

What is the best home remedy for clarifying hair?

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

This household staple is a natural way to remove product buildup left on your hair from styling products. Combine one part apple cider vinegar with one part water and use it to rinse your hair after shampooing. You can apply the mixture with a spray bottle or pour it directly onto your hair.

What does vinegar do to hair?

It works as a clarifying agent to refresh your hair, imparts plenty of shine, and it also helps facilitate hair growth. That's all thanks to the pH of apple cider vinegar, which is about 3—meaning it's on the acidic side of the spectrum.

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