What Is Clarifying Shampoo and How Often Should You Use It?

Having your hair remain greasy or dull despite a good wash is a common struggle in Pakistan’s hot and humid weather. The dusty environment during drier seasons does not help either. Regular shampoos aren’t enough to remove all the gunk completely. That’s why you need a clarifying shampoo. 

What Is Clarifying Shampoo?

A clarifying shampoo does more than ordinary shampoos. It eliminates the deposits of accumulated sebum, styling products, minerals, and dust that build up over time. These materials cause hair to appear dull or greasy.

Regular shampoos are for frequent removal of sweat and surface dirt. Clarifying shampoos use stronger cleansing agents. Thus, they are typically great for an occasional deep cleanse. 

Clarifying shampoos remove residue from hair strands and release buildup. Hence, they must be followed with a good conditioner to smooth the cuticle and rehydrate the hair. 

Clarifying shampoo will add vibrancy to your hair. Your hair can also regain volume after a clarifying wash because all the residues weighing it down are gone. 

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Signs You Need a Clarifying Shampoo

Here are some signs that buildup is the issue and your hair needs a deep cleanse:

• Dullness: Buildup coats your hair and robs it of its natural lustre. 

• Greasiness: The humid Pakistani weather and sweat can lead to greasy roots. Product buildup can also trap oil. So, if your scalp still feels oily after wash day, you need a clarifier.

• Flatness: Residue weighs hair down. This can cause blowouts or ponytails to fall flat quickly. A clarifying session can get rid of the weight and restore your hair lift. 

• Scalp Issues: An itchy scalp is not always just dandruff. Sometimes, it’s product overload. Flaky residue can appear when there’s too much hair product or oil blocking your pores. Applying a clarifying shampoo can get rid of the clog. 

• Sticky Hair: When your hair appears coated after washing, it may be mineral deposits in hard water. 

• Limp Curls: Buildup can stretch out or weigh down your curl pattern. This results in the loss of curl definition. Removing hair residues can help your curls pop back into shape. 

• Ineffective Products: Have your favourite conditioners or styling creams suddenly “stopped working” as well as they used to? It may not necessarily be the product’s fault. The residue on your strands might be preventing new products from penetrating. 

Best Shampoo for Build Up Removal

The ideal clarifying shampoo will remove buildup without wrecking your hair’s moisture balance. This is where GK Hair’s pH+ Shampoo comes in.

Unlike many clarifying shampoos that contain harsh sulphates, the pH+ Shampoo is sulphate-free. It also clarifies coloured hair without stripping its colour. Meanwhile, it contains Juvexin, which is a keratin-based protein that protects and strengthens your hair. So you’re getting two-in-one benefits: It cleanses your hair and cares for it. 

How to Apply: Apply to wet hair. Massage properly until it lathers. Allow to sit for 1–3 minutes, and rinse out thoroughly. 

How Often Should You Use Clarifying Shampoo?

Excessive usage of a clarifying shampoo can dry the hair. The correct frequency is determined by the environment and your hair type. The guidelines are broken down below:

Normal Hair

Clarifying once or twice a month is enough for the average person. If you apply styling products moderately, a monthly clarifying session is sufficient to keep your hair fresh without stripping it of its oils. 

Oily Scalp

If you have very oily hair, you’ll need to clarify more often. The same goes for those who use lots of styling products. Once every two weeks might be beneficial in this case. Ensure you condition well afterwards. 

Curly Hair

Curly hair already struggles with moisture. Therefore, you want to clarify sparingly. The ideal frequency is once every 4–6 weeks. You can extend the time between clarifying sessions by choosing water-based products that don’t accumulate as much. 

Climate Consideration

Pakistan’s hot, humid monsoon season prompts your scalp to produce more sebum. This means your scalp gets greasy and sweaty faster. In highly polluted cities such as Karachi and Lahore, dust sticks to oiled hair more easily as well.

All these must be washed properly to avoid dandruff. So, you may need to clarify twice a month to deal with the constant buildup. Nevertheless, don’t go overboard, and pair it with a hydrating mask to nourish your strands.

 

Pre-Treatment Sessions

Clarifying before certain hair treatments can help them penetrate better. Examples of such treatments are deep conditioning treatments and hot oil treatments. Clarifying removes the barriers and lets these treatments have an optimal effect. 

Similarly, having a clarifying wash a few days before colouring your hair is good. It frees your hair of buildup so the colour works evenly on your hair. 

Note that colouring should not be done immediately after clarifying. This is because cuticles are usually very open after applying a clarifying shampoo, and extremely open hair can grab colour more intensely in odd spots.

Best Clarifying Shampoo Practices

Here are a few tips to get the most out of your clarifying shampoo:

• Do not use a clarifying shampoo in addition to your usual shampoo; rather, use it as a replacement.

• Wet your hair completely and then apply clarifying shampoo to distribute the amount evenly and to enhance lather.

• Focus on the scalp and roots. That’s where most of the buildup accumulates. 

• Massage the shampoo into your hair softly with your fingertips.

• Let it stay on your hair for 1–3 minutes before rinsing.

• Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water to flush out all the loosened impurities. 

• Repeat if you have virgin hair or you’ve had tons of buildup. 

• Never skip post-clarifying conditioning. GK Hair’s Moisturising Conditioner is a great option; it will help restore moisture to hair.

• Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle after clarifying, as your hair is fragile in this wet state. 

• Avoid heat styling immediately after cleansing. If you have to heat style, apply a heat protectant like GK Hair’s ThermalStyleHer Cream.

• Use clarifying shampoos with caution if you have known scalp conditions. It might aggravate it.

Cleanse Your Hair in a Healthy Way

Hair care is all about balance. Clarifying shampoos are great, but you do not have to use them daily. So, space your clarifying sessions based on your hair needs. Use the clarifying shampoo along with other products from GK Hair. Cheers to keeping your hair clean and gorgeous.