If you think clarifying shampoos is the end of the line for cleansing your hair, think again. There is another level to it all. Chelating shampoos.
Chelating shampoos are designed to remove buildup of chemicals, minerals and metals that can be left behind from things such as chemical processes, harsh hair coloring, chlorine from swimming pools, hard water and a whole host of other non-natural processes we may put our hair through.
Chemicals such as the ones mentioned, were not intended to take up residency in the strands of your hair. They absolutely need to be removed. If left over time, your hair may weaken and fail to respond to processes as simple as adding moisture or protein.
Chemicals, minerals and metals are not washed away with water, shampoos or even clarifying shampoos. Although clarifying shampoos agitate the hair and loosen up dirt and debris that may otherwise remain in the hair, it cannot remove harmful additives in any effective way that is comparable to what a chelating shampoo is designed to do.
If we return to the carpet analogy, a chelating shampoo would be akin to having a professional carpet cleaner come in with equipment that will penetrate, agitate and lift harmful irritants all the way from the padding of your carpet.
Chelating shampoos are extremely powerful, to say the least.
Do I need a chelating shampoo*?
If you live in an area with harsh water or if you are a regular swimmer, you may need to work a chelating shampoo* into your routine. The buildup of minerals that result from harsh water and chlorine exposure, is something you want to address if you want to enjoy your hair at its healthiest.
However, if you want to simply remove product build up such as hair sprays or edge control type products, a clarifying shampoo* should be fine.
In either instance, be mindful not to use either a chelating or clarifying shampoo* to frequently and always follow either with a moisturizing treatment of some kind.
nJoiNmeNaturaly says
very interesting article. i was so clueless. i think this might be what i need due to my terrible water at home. how often should i use a chelating shampoo?