How I Know It's Time To Clarify My Relaxed Hair

Every once in a while, my hair and scalp feel dirty, full of product, and weighed down, or they may feel really dry. Whenever they feel any of those ways, I have a hard time styling my hair, including holding a curl for any length of time. My scalp itches and flakes a lot, and I may even smell it. When any of those things happen, I know it's time to break out my clarifying shampoo to clarify my relaxed hair.

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Don't get me wrong, I cleanse my hair and scalp once a week, sometimes twice a week, but I don't always clarify. When I clarify my hair and scalp, I'm giving them a fresh start because a clarifying shampoo removes dirt and product build-up from my scalp and hair strands better than a regular shampoo. Depending on the formula, a clarifying shampoo can also remove product buildup and mineral deposits from hard water and swimming pool chlorine.

Related read: The Best Shampoo Ingredients For Healthy Hair

After I clarify my scalp and hair, they always feel so much better. My hair tends to be more manageable, holds moisture longer, looks better, and is easier to style. My scalp itches less, isn't dry, and just feels cleaner. Additionally, it promotes healthier hair growth and even length retention.

I try to clarify my hair every four weeks, but sometimes it needs to be done more often. Here are the five ways I know it's time to clarify my hair

1. I've been sweating a lot

There are times when I work out on a regular basis, and when I work out, I sweat. This can give me a really sweaty scalp, and when my scalp gets really sweaty, it feels awful and dirty. When that happens, nothing other than a good deep cleansing helps.

Related read: How I Take Care Of My Relaxed Hair After A Workout

2. It's been a while since I clarified

I don't need to clarify my hair every week, but I've found that I need to do it every once in a while. Especially when I co-wash several weeks in a row. This allows me to give my hair a fresh start.

3. I've been spending a lot of time outdoors 

This could be spending time at the beach, whether I got in the ocean or not. The wind, sun, and sand can do a number on my hair. If I go for a dip in the pool, I have to clarify my hair so I can remove all the chlorine.

4. I have product build-up 

This happens when I use a lot of product on my hair between washes. Such as moisturizing and sealing daily with heavy creams and oils. I also tend to find I get product build-up when I co-wash several weeks in a row.

Related read: How To Remove Product Build-up From Your Hair

5. My hair and scalp feel dry

Sometimes my dry hair or scalp issues aren't from a lack of moisture but from my hair follicles being clogged or from product build-up.

When I do decide to clarify my hair there the one shampoo I tend to reach for is the ORS Olive Oil Creamy Aloe Shampoo. Another shampoo I've used to clarify my hair is the Ion Hard Water Shampoo. It does more than clarify; it also removes mineral build-up from hard and well water.

Additionally, I will sometimes rinse my scalp with diluted apple cider vinegar when I co-wash as it's a natural way to clarify.

How often do you clarify your hair?