Detox or Clarify? What your hair needs to get super clean.

Hair feeling overloaded with product build up and in need of a good, deep, clean? Here’s how to I.D the difference between Clarifying and Detoxing your hair, and which one your hair needs.  

What does clarifying the hair mean? 

You know that squeaky clean feeling? That’s clarified hair. Clarifying is the process of deeply cleansing the scalp, removing product build up, excess natural oils and scalp debris. The process of clarifying leaves the scalp feeling refreshed which in turn improves the health of all hair types from the follicle, encouraging hair growth and renewing scalp vitality. 

Why you need to clarify your hair:  

Frequent use of Hair Styling Products like Hair Wax, Gel, Hair Spray and Mousse leads to build up. These daily products - combined with excess oil – clog the hair follicles and really mess up your Hair Health. 

If you have Coloured Hair and use pigmented Shampoo and Conditioner, these Hair Products can also create build up at the roots, which leads to hair colour deepening or becoming dull.  

Natural Hair Oil is important to lubricate the scalp but, in excess, oil can hinder clog the Hair Follicle, hindering Hair Growth and absorbing natural shine along the Hair Cuticle. This leads to dull, lifeless, thinning lengths and can exacerbate dry, flaky skin which if not exfoliated away, leads to dandruff.  

How to clarify your hair:  

Regular Shampoo doesn’t eliminate this build up on the scalp, so Clarifying Shampoos are an essential addition to your Hair Care routine.  

If you have coloured hair, use a Clarifying Shampoo sparingly in a light lather to significantly brighten chemically treated hair types. Always look for one that has colour-safe properties and use your Clarifying Shampoo in between days you use your Colour-Safe Shampoo.  

If build-up on the Scalp has caused dry, scaly skin, look for a Clarifying Shampoo that caters to this, cleansing, exfoliating, and hydrating the Scalp. You may have to step up and invest in a Dandruff Shampoo if Clarifying Shampoo doesn’t do the trick.  

My favourite Clarifying products:  

• ⁠Olaplex No.4 Clarifying Shampoo re-links broken bonds to protect and repair damaged hair, split ends, and frizz. The more frequent the use, the increase in shine and clarity on all hair types.  
• ⁠Redken Hair Cleansing Shampoo is great on all hair types as it cleanses away build up and hard water minerals, excess oil and even pollution residue. 
• ⁠Coco and Eve Like a Virgin Clarifying Detox Shampoo contains a 3D chelating formulation which is great for reducing super heavy residue and as it’s dermatologically tested, I find this one gentle on the Scalp.   

What does ‘Detoxifying’ the hair mean? 

The aim of detoxifying is to deeply clean the hair and scalp via a concentrated hair product from the follicle to the ends of the hair, removing residue and fortifying the entire Hair Cuticle.  

Why do we need to detoxify the hair?  

Over time, chemical treatments including colouring your hair create harsh build up on the Hair Follicle which then causes it to become fragile. Detoxifying Shampoos and Hair Care products can help strengthen vulnerable hair.  

Swim much? You need to detoxify your hair fast. Chlorine is not your hair’s friend, so detoxifying with a focused dechlorination Shampoo can really save waterlogged Hair.  

A regular Hair Detox is a great way to reset Hair Health. Like with giving up alcohol or doing a juice cleanse, Hair Detoxification is key to removing the invisible toll pollution, product, sweat, changing seasons and scalp sensitivities takes. Add it to your regular ‘to-do’ to get your Hair mojo back.  

How to Detoxify your hair:  

• If colouring your hair has taken a heavy toll, you need to look for a Detox Shampoo that removes heavy metals from your hair while also promoting strength and resilience.  
• ⁠Step up your Hair Care routine to include Styling Products that are vegan, free of sulphates and harsh chemicals. This can assist in eliminating product build up and maintaining a healthy Hair Cuticle. Hair Detoxification is important for all Hair Types and can be particularly important on Curly Hair and Thick Hair that can hold more build up, as well as Oily Hair that is prone to congestion at the Hair Follicle. 
• ⁠A healthy Scalp always leads to Healthy Hair so if your Scalp needs more than a cleanse, add a Scalp Detox product to your Hair Care program in addition to your Detox Shampoo and Conditioner.  

My favourite Detoxifying Products: 

• Paul Mitchell Shampoo Three helps prevent ‘swimmers green’. An essential for spring and summer.  
• L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo detoxes and hydrates colour-treated hair.   
• K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo contains charcoal and salicylic acid for a powerful detox that removes 99% of product build up and 96% of sebum in one wash.  

Discover the detoxifying or clarifying products for you. Head in-store to HAIRHOUSE today for a free expert consultation.