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. And my scalp itches and flakes a lot and may even smell. 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 build-up 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 it 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 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 buildup 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 lack of moisture, but from my hair follicles being clogged or from product buildup.

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 Shampoowhich 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?