A dreaded day for many
Wash day can be a dreaded day for many a natural hair girl. That’s why a lot of us prolong it or go way too long in between wash days! After all, we’ve all been told that kinky or curly hair doesn’t need to be washed as frequently as straight hair so why even bother that often? Well, honestly, clarifying your natural hair regularly is one of the most important things you can do for your curls. Whether your goal is growth, reduced shedding, hydration or length retention, clarifying your curls is an incredibly important step. Keep reading as we get into all the ins and outs of clarifying your hair for healthy, happy curls!
Why clarify your curls?
You probably already know it’s important to wash your hair – I mean, it’s pretty simple right? Hair gets dirty! However, don’t think that just because your hair isn’t itching or feeling sweaty that it means you can skip wash day! There are many signs your hair needs clarifying, including it feeling weighed down, your products not working like they usually do, excessive shedding, breakage or frizz as well as oily roots and a lack of shine and luster. You don’t want your curls and follicles trapped under a layer of dirt, grime and oil and you’d be amazed at how quickly these can build up in your hair.
Many women opt to only co-wash, and while co-washing has its place, it is no substitute for clarifying your hair. A good clarifying shampoo will give your hair and a scalp a deep, thorough clean, clearing any build-up without stripping your hair completely of the good oils. That’s why it’s important to look for a shampoo that does not include sulphates, mineral oil, parabens, alcohols etc. that will completely strip your hair.
If you are on the hunt for a great clarifying shampoo, we love Aunt Jackie’s Grapeseed Style and Shine Recipes Power Wash Instense Moisture Clarifying Hair Shampoo, especially when used with a scalp massager like this one, to stimulate blood flow and hair growth! You can also make a clarifying hair mask at home to get your hair clean but moisturized and hydrated at the same time!
How often should you clarify your hair?
The truth is, a lot of us go way too long between washes, thinking that if our hair isn’t itching and smelling, then it’s fine. For most of us, clarifying once a month will be sufficient; however, it really does depend on the state of your hair, the type and quality of your products, the season/climate and other factors. For instance, if you use a lot of products that include synthetic or drying ingredients, then you might want to clarify more often. In the summer, or hot/warm climates it might be necessary to clarify more often due to the increased sweating in your scalp area as opposed to cooler seasons and climates. And of course, if you notice your products are suddenly not working like they used to, it’s probably time to clarify!
Overall, it is important for you to get to know your hair, so you can create a clarifying routine that works best for you. Clarifying is a step that simply cannot be skipped and so the more you know about your hair’s needs, the better!
Need help understanding your hair and how often you should clarify? Book a private, one-on-one session with our founder Selam, who has over 10 years of experience in natural hair consulting.
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This is great information. I’m going to make sure I clarify everyone’s hair!
We’re glad you found the blog helpful. Let us know what other topics you are interested in!