Should i maybe clarify?

[hannabiss]

I switched a few months back to sulfate free shampoo. This last week my ends seem slightly crunchy and "piecey" ive tried a few vinegar rinses. While they helpes i think i may need to clarify the ends. So i was wondering if any other sulfate free users use sulfates once in a blue moon to clarify. im wondering if using sulfates will trigger my scalp to make more oils again.

[Entangled]

I don't know about the oils part, but crunchy ends would be a good time to clarify.

[Nique1202]

If you have to ask the question, chances are it's a good idea. Almost everyone who does sulfate-free or even CO has to clarify every once in a while, and vinegar does NOT properly clarify even if it helps some people to get by. I admit I don't do sulfate-free but every scalp is different so it might or it might not cause more oil production for you personally, and even if you find that sulfates trigger more oils temporarily it should go back to where it is now after a couple of washes, same as when you first transitioned to sulfate-free.

[Kherome]

It may also be that a chelating would be more beneficial.

[Hurven]

I have been using sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner since about January. Last Friday, I clarified for the first time ever and it made my hair look great! So I think you should definitely try it! :)

[ravenreed]

I use the CO method every other day. My hair does best when I use an SLS shampoo from the ears down about once a month.

[hannabiss]

I was thinking of chelating. We have nasty hard water in my city. i dont know almost anyone wholl drink our tap water. i may look for a shampoo that does that. Not sure where id find one close buy unless walgreens or walmart has one. (dont know as ive never looked) But ill get a really cheap clarifying shampoo and see if its the cure for my crunchy hair. I guess i was wondering since i had never thought to clarify before joining LHC i figured that was what shampoo was supposed to do everytime. So on my own account ive never clarified my hair.

[Kitten1030]

I've found I need to clarify about once a month no matter what I'm using. Vo5 vanilla mint tea is cheap, smells good and does the trick for me :)

[elsieivy]

Clarifying or chelating sounds like a good idea. If you're really concerned about it messing up your scalp you could try only putting it on the length. Sometimes I just clarify the last inch or two of my hair if that's the only part that's being weird.

[catasa]

I normally use sulfate free and/or diluted shampoo, and I need to clarify about once/twice a month at least or my ends get crunchy, tangly and my curl pattern is messed up (more than usual...). My scalp is naturally oily and I have found in the past that regular use of harsher shampoo/sulfates does make it even oilier (will need to wash every day as opposed to every second day which I can do now) but this effect comes only after a little longer period of harsher washing, so once in a while clarifying/chelating shouldn´t have this effect hopefully.

Clarifying only the lengths as elsieivy mentioned could be a good idea if you don´t feel that also your scalp needs a more thorough cleaning, thanks for the tip, I´ll also try it sometime!

Hope you find a solution for your crunchy ends! :blossom:

[LeMimi13]

Dhould you deep condition after clarifying wuth baking soda?