Clarifying natural hair can make such a difference in the hair’s health, look, and feel. Depending on the types and amounts of hair products one uses, clarifying may be essential to keep hair looking and feeling its best. It can be easily integrated into any hair regimen. Moreover, depending on the clarifier, it can help to add vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants to your hair. In this post we will discuss clarifying’s potential benefits and some of the products available to clarify your natural hair.
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Clarifying Natural Hair 101
So, what is clarifying? Clarifying takes your cleansing activities to the next level by providing a deeper clean to your natural hair. A clarifier should remove any oil, products, dirt, or debris missed during the cleansing step. There are many items that can be used to clarify hair, including:
- Apple Cider Vinegar, or ACV (my regular clarifier)
- Bentonite Clay
- Baking Soda
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Lemon Juice
Clarifying is completely optional. However, I have found that clarifying natural hair once a week benefits me. I tend to be heavy-handed with my products. In addition, I add oil to my scalp throughout the week and remoisturize my hair 2-3 times during the week. So, by the time I get to wash day, my hair can be a dirty, product-laden hot mess. Moreover, I usually use sulfate-free shampoos. As such, I leave myself prone to product buildup if I don’t clarify. However, your hair type and product use may be different. As such, you may find you have to clarify less often.
Some Things to Note About Clarifiers
As with most things, the improper use of clarifiers can cause hair damage. For naturals, I would not recommend using clarifiers more than once a week. Remember, the purpose of the clarifier to remove oils, among other things, from the hair. Those on team natural should be working to preserve those oils to help us retain moisture.
Moreover, baking soda may be too abrasive for some naturals, causing mechanical damage to the hair shaft. Nevertheless, it’s been widely used and praised as a dry shampoo and/or no-poo alternative for those fed up with their results using traditional cleansing methods. Each natural should closely evaluate his/her hair condition and goals prior utilizing potentially harsh products.
Additionally, some individuals may choose to cleanse and clarify in one step, saving time. There are numerous clarifying shampoos on the market for this purpose. As with all hair products, be sure to do your research to make certain you are getting the proper product for your hair.
DIYs for Clarifying Natural Hair
As I stated above, my chosen clarifier is ACV. Not only does it help with deep cleaning my scalp and hair, it also has lots of vitamins and balances pH levels. So, how do I to it? Check out my steps below:
Ingredients
- 2-4 oz ACV
- 4-6 oz Water
Instructions
- In an applicator bottle, dilute the ACV with water in a 1:1 ratio. If you are prone to scalp irritation or sensitivity, dilute 1 part ACV to 3 parts water.
- Starting on freshly washed hair, use the applicator tip to direct the diluted ACV on your scalp.
- Use the pads of your fingertips in a back-and-forth motion to massage the ACV into your scalp.
- Once you have covered all areas of the scalp, use the remaining ACV to saturate your hair strands.
- Let ACV sit on hair for 3-5 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Check out Bragg USDA Gluten Free Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, With the Mother 16 ounces
! It has done wonders for my hair and has earned its staple status in my regimen.
Another wonderful clarifying natural hair and scalp treatment is bentonite clay. I have used this product occasionally, and I absolutely love the way my scalp and hair feel after it’s done. I use bentonite clay as a pre-poo mask, incorporating tea, tea tree oil, and avocado oil for added hair nutrition and shine.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Bentonite Clay
- 2 cups brewed Black, Green, or Herbal Tea of choice (cooled)
- 2 Tbsp Avocado Oil
- 10 drops Tea Tree Oil
Instructions
*Note: It is essential to use non-metal utensils with the recipe as metal will react with the clay.
- Place clay in a plastic bowl.
- Add ¼ of the brewed tea to the clay, mixing well with a plastic spoon until fully incorporated.
- Continue adding brewed tea in portions to the clay mixture, being sure to stir well between tea additions.
- Once all the tea has been incorporated (final mixture should be consistency of yogurt), add the avocado and tea tree oils to the clay mixture and mix well.
- Section hair and spritz water onto the first section until damp.
- Apply the clay mask to the hair to the section, working from ends to roots ensuring all hair strands are saturated.
- Apply a small amount of the clay to the section’s scalp area and massage.
- Repeat application steps on the remaining sections.
- After mask is fully applied to hair, cover the hair with a plastic processing cap or plastic grocery bag.
- Cover cap/bag with a towel (Turbie Twist Microfiber Hair Towel (2 Pack) Paisley
work well for this) or heating cap to warm the mask. - Process for at least one hour.
- Rinse with warm water, and shampoo as normal.
I have grown fond of the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Bentonite Clay
for my masks. I used this product on my face before I decided to transition back to my natural hair. It’s nice that I only had expand my use of a very familiar product to get good clarifying results on my hair!
Wrapping It Up!
Clarifying natural hair does not have to be a mystery. Moreover, the treatments can help you attain your hair goals when used properly. Whether you go the DIY route or opt for a commercial clarifying shampoo, your hair will be healthier when free of any old dirt, oil, products, or debris.
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