View Full Version : Obvious question?
Jessleigh
March 5th, 2014, 11:14 PM
Maybe there is an obvious answer to this. How do you know if you have build up? And if you were to drop shampoo and do conditioner only, how do you know when you need to clarify? And does a sulphate shampoo automatically qualify as a clarifying shampoo?
As far as I know, I don't have build up. But my main routine has been s&c with herbal essences long term relationship. School me with your knowledge o wise LHCers.
Synnovea
March 5th, 2014, 11:29 PM
For me, one of the tell-tale signs is dry, crunchy ends that have no splits. I used to think my ends were just damaged from being so old, but I learned here that what I described is usually associated with protein overload. Clarifying made my ends right as rain.
Ambystoma
March 6th, 2014, 01:24 AM
How do you know if you have build up?
For me, it's like Synnovea said, no splits or damage but velcro, crunchy ends and hair that is dull, feels dry and doesn't seem to "drink" up conditioning treatments and tangles easily and looks rough or fluffy/frizzy rather than smooth and sleek.
And if you were to drop shampoo and do conditioner only, how do you know when you need to clarify?
It really depends on what conditioner and products you are using, and also what your water is like. If you have hard water then this will add to the problem and needs to be removed by chelating. I'd try keeping a log for a while until you work out how often is best for you.
And does a sulphate shampoo automatically qualify as a clarifying shampoo?
Nope! Hopefully firefox looks in on this thread since she's the one to ask about specific products, but in general just because it has sulphates doesn't mean it will effectively clear build up since there may be extra ingredients in there that interfere with deep cleansing. I recommend getting a combination clarifying/chelating shampoo (Joico K-pak is wonderful, I don't find it that drying but of course always follow a clarify with nice moisture treatment) and that way you're tackling all sources of build up in one wash.
tlover
March 6th, 2014, 01:28 AM
For me, one of the tell-tale signs is dry, crunchy ends that have no splits. I used to think my ends were just damaged from being so old, but I learned here that what I described is usually associated with protein overload. Clarifying made my ends right as rain.
then maby I need to clarify (My ends are not superdry but dryer than the rest of my hair, I have also thought that it's becouse they are old.
I hope our homemade schampoo can clarify my hair.
jg260290
March 6th, 2014, 04:21 AM
My hair shows buildup by looking greasy as hell at the roots and dry and tangly at the ends. I just use pantene "classic clean" shampoo and my regular conditioner (silicone free) and it's slightly dry but fine when dry and then looks amazing the next day :)
Nebulae
March 6th, 2014, 05:09 AM
I can tell when I need to clarify when I see build-up on my Tangle Teezer.. I wash the TT on average once a week, so that it is clean, so I can easily tell when I'm brushing my hair if it transfers build-up-looking stuff onto it several times in a row.
If my roots get greasy faster than normal or if my ends are broom-like those are signs as well. But the TT-trick is most reliable for me.
It might not be the sciency kind of clarifying but a silicone-free sulfate shampoo gets rid of the residue in my case. :)
Firefox7275
March 6th, 2014, 05:11 AM
Build up from conditioner only washing is often products, hair can be limp, dull, frizzy, waxy or greasy ... Really anything that doesn't look or feel or behave right anymore. Different ingredients and curl patterns give different outcomes.
Crunchy or Velcro ends is usually minerals from hard water, hydrolysed protein, over oiling particularly with coconut, and is often related to damaged ends. It's not specific to conditioner only washing by any means, in fact I don't often see it on curly hair forums, but mainly on long hair forums where other practices (stretching washes/ CWC/ soaps) are as or more common than co-washing.
A clarifier is rich in sulphates, olefin sulfonates or cocoamidopropyl betaine AND is non conditioning/ clear type. That means no silicones, polyquats, proteins etc. if you pick your products and ingredients right, and don't pile them onto unwashed hair you may never or rarely need to clarify. Chelating is for removing mineral deposits.
ositarosita
March 6th, 2014, 09:26 PM
Fellow Herbal Essences long term relationship-per ...I'm a CO washer (so I just use the conditioner - I use the Long Term Relationship + tousle me softly + honey I'm strong conditioners) .. signs of build up for ME are tangles, knotting, dullness, dryness and my curls turn into wurls from the extra weight. Now for me because I also have hard water I need to chelate instead of clarify as clarifying will only do half the job so I use Paul Mitchell Shampoo number three Clarify (which is actually a chelator).. I do this rarely maybe twice a month
**Herbal Essences drama clean is a clarifier I believe
rowan fire
March 6th, 2014, 09:58 PM
I think not also is it a concern of having product build up, but mineral build up as well.
A few times a month, I break from my natural shampoo and use a chelating one. I use Kenra Clarifying Shampoo.
I know it's time when it looks dull, a bit hard (I think what other ppl call crunchy), and feels "grabby" instead of being able to run my fingers through it smoothly.
I ran out and haven't been to Ulta to pick up a new bottle. I really need to get there this weekend. My hair is not looking or feeling it's best.
jeanniet
March 7th, 2014, 01:04 AM
I clarify when my hair just doesn't feel right anymore. I CO, and clarify maybe every few months. I usually use a sulfate-free shampoo first, and then clarify if that doesn't do the trick. I also have hard well water, so I use a chelating shampoo once a year or so. I find that I don't get much buildup if I'm using the right products for my hair.
Jessleigh
March 7th, 2014, 03:10 PM
I haven't thought of chelating. I do have well water. Does that mean I need to chelate? I don't get rings in my toilet bowl that I've heard means you have hard water. And our water tastes delicious!
swearnsue
March 7th, 2014, 03:17 PM
Whenever you think you need to trim your ends, clarify instead. 95% of the time it fixes the yucky ends and you don't need to trim after all.
Well, don't clarify too often. Once a week it probably too much.
tlover
March 8th, 2014, 01:55 AM
I haven't thought of chelating. I do have well water. Does that mean I need to chelate? I don't get rings in my toilet bowl that I've heard means you have hard water. And our water tastes delicious!
Having well water don't mean it have to be hard. We have well water and we have tested it and it super mega soft. You can take samples of you're water and send it to analyse. It cost some but it's Worth it :)
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