For those with curly hair, you are probably aware by now that good wash days are not a given; it’s not too long before your go-to routine suddenly has you dealing with dull, frizzy, flat, weighed down curls and an itchy scalp, to name a few. And you know that googling a solution is like going on Web MD to figure out why you have a headache only to receive 100 possible causes.

Recommended Video As overwhelming as it all seems to be, the solution may be a lot simpler than you think. Have you heard of clarifying shampoo?

Why You Need to Clarify Curly Hair

If your go-to products are unexpectedly failing you, clarifying shampoos should be your starting point for troubleshooting most hair issues. They work to completely strip off any severe buildup from dirt, oils, products, hard water minerals that have accumulated in your hair and scalp over time.

Now you may be raising your eyebrow here and wondering: “Isn’t that what a traditional shampoo already does?” Well, yes and no. Traditional shampoos and clarifying shampoos differ in their ability and strength to remove buildup. For instance, traditional shampoos typically include gentler cleansing ingredients safe enough to use on a regular basis. For a deeper clean, clarifying shampoos are formulated with stronger cleansing ingredients, so think of it as a reset button for your curls.

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How Often Should You Clarify?

For best practice, incorporate a clarifying treatment in your curly hair regimen at least once or twice per month, or when your hair feels dirtier than usual after washing it. Have you gone swimming at the pool or beach? Tried a temporary color wax? A hairstyle with a ton of product and hairspray for hold? Go clarify. These are a few examples that cause instant buildup in your hair. Washing hair with a regular shampoo will remove some of the residue, but let’s be honest, it’ll be like using an eraser that just smudges your page.