Some women put themselves on a clarifying schedule only after they notice the patterns in their regimen.
If you are consistent with how you treat your hair then you can pretty much predict when your buildup will start which makes getting to the this step a breeze.
If you are an every 2 week type of girl and you like to just get it over with then, you might opt for a clarifying shampoo*.
There are shampoos that actually say clarifying, for example the Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo or you can just use any shampoo with sulfates in it.
Sulfates are bad when they are used often because they essentially strip your hair of the lubricating oils* that protect it during times when you hair does not need to be clarified.
But if you want a clean slate, then feel free to use a regular shampoo with sulfates for its intended purpose of deep cleansing.
If you are an all natural type of girl and you also want to get a good clarify without using harsh shampoos, then diluted apple cider vinegar* does a great job at getting your hair clean.
We would suggest that you keep your hair very organized when you clarify your hair, sectioning and washing in one direction to that you do not create tangles.
Remember that clarifying is stripping the hair of everything so your hair is very likely to tangle at this point. Do not attempt to detangle until your hair until it is covered with conditioner again. Keeping your mane organized makes the task just a little easier.
What Happens After You Clarify
Typically your hair will feel squeaky clean almost stripped after clarifying especially if you choose to use sulfates in order to get there. At this point it’s time to start conditioning again, deep conditioning* with heat with something moisture based is the best thing for your hair at this stage.
Your hair will be more receptive to your products after removing all the old gunk and grime you had in it, you will also experience a natural shine or sparkle. After deep conditioning*, it is still very important to add a leave in conditioner* and seal your strands with your favorite oil.
The Benefits Of Clarifying
It is hard to do a post about the process of clarifying without sighting the benefits so here they are, just in case you missed them:
1. It removes build-up from your strands and scalp caused from products, natural oils* and the environment.
2. Your hair responds very well to products afterwards so there’s no need to keep rotating your products.
3. When you have a job that requires you to be exposed to the natural environment excessively then clarifying is really great for getting rid of dirt, pollutants and sweat.
4. It’s great for women who have naturally oily hair and scalps as it leaves your pores clean which may improve your growth.
How often do you clarify your hair?
Laci Youngblood says
Once a month and thats only if i put build up products in my hair
Antonia Williams says
Not a lot, but I don’t use many products either. Trying to keep up with weekly DCs
Joya Felton says
Once a month. Try not to dry out my hair and scalp as much as possible.
Cerissa Marie Dusuau says
Once a month
NaKisha Harvey says
I would say once a month also but in between ill wash with conditioners/co wash.
Yelly CherryLips ßackus says
I wash my hair twice a month.
Gloria Johnson says
Two or three times .
Schymira Simmons says
Every 2 weeks 😀
PrettiGurl KeyKey says
I was once a month and condition every 2 weeks
Gina Mangum says
Whenever I’ve applied a lot of product to it I clarify it.
Raven Marie Lopez says
I cowash once a week…I rarely clarify unless I style my hair a lot. Maybe once a month.
Shelia Hoover says
Once a week , due to using greentea products and condition each wash.
Carmen Ferrer says
twice a month. except with certain shampoos, i may be able to shampoo more often.
Naomi Meijer says
What? Am i the only one who washes my hair every week with shampoo en allot of conditioner??
Kristin Patrick says
No you are not I do too.
Vee Smith says
its just not necessary to do that for alot of ppl. i only have 2 use shampoo twice a month. shampoo tends to strip alot ppl hair and drying.conditioner works just fine. now that i go thru
Cookiesue Sweetz says
I do also i wash every saturday at the salon
QueenEyeCee says
I do a Bentonite Clay (blended with ACV & Water) Treatment once every month religiously!!!
Debbie Reynolds says
I use a Clarifying shampoo once per month, and I shampoo my hair weekly with Joico.
Shawnnita Larkins says
Every 2-3months
Jamila Kelly says
Naomi Meijer there is a difference between clarifying and just washing it wiry basic shampoo ^^;;;;;;;;
Jamila Kelly says
I clarify maybe twice a month :>
Christa Colquitt Harris says
What does clarify means?
Janine Pierre says
A clarifying shampoo. Deep cleans the hair.
nappy headed black girl says
I just started incorporating clarifying into my routine. I’ve been averaging about once every 4-6 weeks. This may change, though. I think it may be too much because I barely use any products and I wash often.
Tiffany Laurice Cummings says
Once a month because I wear quick weaves while transitioning because I do not want to deal with my hair at all and the molding process calls for a lot of products that causes build-up but it works for me bc I wear my weave for a month and wash it out and I notice sooo much growth,,, and I don’t have to deal with doing hair… Here is a Pic
Loralee Isidore Wiltz says
Great informative articles
Toni Edwards Lee says
Once every two weeks
Kristin Patrick says
I use a clarifying shampoo once a week along with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
MEshell Green says
Once a week in winter twice a week hot summer days.
Michelle says
Once a month regardless of whether it’s rainy season or dry season.
Monique Martinez says
5 times a week is dt healthy for my hair i did the big chop
Toni says
Once a month for me (sometimes twice). I do it whenever I think about it or when my hair starts looking funky.
Toni says
But I cowash every couple of days.
QueenEyeCee says
Even though I clarify once per month using Bentonite Clay, I wash & dc my hair every 4 days alternating between an Ayurvedic Poo Bar Bobeam) or a Cleansing Ayurvedic Herbal Hair Pack/Mask (Shikakai, Amla, Neem & Hibiscus)!
Theresa M Anderson says
What r some of the brands?
Envy Myii Sunshyne says
Every 3 to 4 days a week at the longest ..wish I could go once a month my scalp would feel Like fleas in it
Ni-Ni Patterson says
Once a week or any time I wash my hair in general. So in addition to the products I use for what y’all call the LOC method, my sebaceous glands produce a whole lot of oil, so clarifying is a must for my hair.
Monique Walker says
Thanks for this information! I needed it!
Sherry Miles says
I clarify once a month. That seems to be the answer to my clarifying needs.
Shelia Massey says
Great article☺
Carmel Munroe says
We like this article, very good