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How Do Clarifying Shampoos Work?

Most of us don't think twice about washing our hair; it is just something that we do because we want to both smell good and look good. Having clean and healthy looking hair is a sign that you take pride in your appearance and it also suggests that you want to present yourself in a specific way, one that suggests confidence and a sense of self-assurance.

It's no secret that many of the big shampoo companies spend a fortune on making products that help to give us the healthy hair that we are looking for, as well as making our hair look as healthy and as attractive as possible. Of course, these same companies also make a lot of money from the sales of shampoo and other hair care products. The clarifying shampoo is just one of the health and beauty products that are intended to make you look as good as you can look.

The Advantages

A clarifying shampoo is designed to get rid of any excess residue that your regular shampoo or conditioner may have left in your hair, and in this respect they differ from regular shampoos. It also removes any remaining residue from gels, hairspray, mousse and other styling products. If you have just had a dip in the swimming pool and are trying to get rid of the last traces of chemicals from your hair, a clarifying shampoo can do a much better job of this than a regular shampoo.

Other Considerations

Different clarifying shampoo brands can contain distinct types of ingredients but in general, they contain more ingredients that are suited to the cleaning action, and contain fewer conditioning agents than regular shampoos; these are two of the biggest differences.

The Disadvantages

However, a clarifying shampoo has the drawback that it tends to strip your hair of its natural oils, despite the fact that it removes the unwanted residue. You actually run the risk of over drying your hair or scalp, although the prospect of having hair that is squeaky clean certainly sounds appealing to most of us. You should take extra care when using one of these clarifying shampoo brands if your hair is brittle and especially prone to breaking.

If healthy hair is your goal, you should definitely consider one of these shampoos that clarify, despite the disadvantages. If you need to prep your hair when going for a color treatment, they can be ideal, and anyone who swims frequently can also benefit from them. Your hair really can be new and shiny, although you should keep in mind that using these shampoos can leave your hair dry.

How to Repair Swimming Hair Damage

Chlorine and Your Hair

Imagine your hair as a sponge absorbing water. Before you get in the pool, wet your hair with fresh water. With non-chlorinated water on board, your hair won't be able to soak-up as much chlorine while you swim. And always rinse your hair with clean water after swimming; chlorine in pools not only dries-out your hair, but will fade the colour too.

Chlorine in swimming pools can cause sebum - oil that lubricates your hair shaft - to start building up in your hair follicles. As time passes follicles can become blocked, creating further hair damage. After Swimming use a good 'clarifying' shampoo. The main ingredient to look for is EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid). It's like a chemical claw, removing chlorine from your hair.

Baking soda is a wonderfully inexpensive home remedy. Shampoo as usual, but add ¼ cup baking soda to your shampoo. Using this mixture once a week can remove water impurities and lighten your hair. Also consider mixing baking soda with hair conditioner in your hand to condition the ends of your hair. It'll give your hair more volume, body and health.

Protect Your Hair from the Inside

Drinking plenty of water every day is a good way to lubricate damaged or excessively dry hair. Other liquids such as herbal teas and fruit juices also help. Be moderate in your use of coffee and colas, as they can cause dehydration to your hair and skin.

A healthy diet and recommended use of vitamins will help the overall health of your hair by providing a boost of minerals and nutrients. Besides feeding hair with vitamins, minerals and amino acids you can crank up the moisture by adding daily Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) supplements. Flax Seed is reported to be a great EFA that softens a woman's hair and skin.

Be Gentle

Don't mangle your hair by brushing it when wet. Instead, comb it with a wide-tooth comb. Work out tangles as you move from the ends toward the scalp. Don't over dry - leave some moisture in to prevent static. Use care when styling. Your hair will be better-off if you don't use styling appliances; but if you must, don't let your hair get too hot and avoid aggressive manipulation of your hair.

Hats Best to Stop Damaging Rays

UV-radiation from the sun can damage your hair, fading colour and making it brittle. Although some hair care products claim they contain sun protection, wearing a hat or cap around the pool or beach to is the simplest, most effective way to look after your hair.

Deep Conditioning Hair Treatments

If you already have damaged hair, perhaps it's time for intensive treatment to turn the tide for your bruised hair cuticles. Whether you whip up your own recipe, go to your favourite salon or buy an off-the-shelf product, you may need to perform intensive conditioning at least once a week.

Salon treatments are more expensive and usually involve the application of a healing hair masque or deep conditioning product to return your hair to its natural, healthy appearance.

Keep these tips in mind next time you're at the pool or beach. With a little care and know-how, you can maintain great-looking hair while enjoying the benefits of outdoor exercise.

How to Use Clarifying Shampoo to Make Soft Shiny Hair

Our body is exposed so many kinds of chemicals every day. We use hair gel, facial creams, and other beauty products all the time. Modern shampoos will have some form of chemicals that will create the "build up" in your scalp and obviously it affects the health of your hair.

Clarifying shampoo should be used to clean all such chemicals and other kinds of build up. It will make your hair clean and shiny again. This is sort of a "power wash" for your hair.

Clarifying shampoo is not supposed to replace the regular shampoo. Instead, it is supposed to be used once every 2-3 weeks. If you use these kinds of shampoos repeatedly, you may see strange results. After all these shampoos will also have some sort of strong chemicals and excessive usage will adversely impact your scalp's health.

If you live in a area where the water is found to be hard, you will definitely need to use clarifying shampoos. Hard water supply will bring in lots of chemicals and you don't want to keep it in your heard for long. To check if you have hard water, you can employ several tests. Look for clues to check if your water has an overabundance of minerals. When you do dishes, if you see water spots on them, then it is an indication of hard water supply (sometimes it could be due to dish washer mechanical problems too)

Other indicators are when your soap won't lather well, or when the white clothes look dingy. Sometimes you will see white, crusty sediment on your fixtures, silverware, or clothes. If you still cannot make out, you can call your local water supply company, county office, or local department of health to direct you to a lab that will test your water hardness.

There are other reasons to use clarifying shampoo as well.

Sometimes, you may feel that your hair is heavier or you might notice white residues building up on the scalp. One of the common reasons is the water from swimming pool. If you swim regularly or use the water in a fitness club, you might see such problems. Generally it is the Chlorine and other mineral deposits from the swimming pool water, or the hot water supply.

No matter how hard you try, you cannot avoid the buildup, as you will be exposed to many beauty products every day and most of them are harmless. However, you can definitely make your hair shine by using some of the clarifying shampoo products.

Make Your Own Environmentally Friendly Shampoo and Cleaning Products and Save Money

Commercial shampoos and beauty products can contain chemicals that have adverse effects on our hair and skin as well as on the natural environment. For example, sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate, both widely used in shampoos, dry skin and hair and irritate the eyes in high concentrations. Furthermore, sulphates used in their manufacture are harmful to marine life and the environment.

What is the alternative? Natural or organic beauty products are available but they are often more expensive than traditional products. The good news is that you can make your own natural beauty products at a fraction of the cost with non-toxic ingredients that are cheap and easily obtainable.

I have found it is pretty easy to make your own natural shampoo - you just need to combine pure soap flakes with water, add some glycerine, shake to dissolve, then add your favourite essential oil. So simple and cheap.

Like shampoo, commercial cleaning products for the home also often contain chemicals that have adverse effects on the natural environment. Recently, Lake Windermere suffered from overgrowth of blue green algae which led to a sponsored swimming event, the North Swim, being cancelled due to toxicity in the water. Overgrowth of blue green algae is associated with phosphates in detergents.

While there are environmentally friendly products on the market, you can make your own eco cleaning products at a fraction of the cost.

I have explored the use of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar for cleaning my home and discovered that you can make a multitude of cleaning materials out of a few traditional and non toxic ingredients that our grandparents used to use. For example, here is a recipe for oven cleaner:

1 tbs bicarbonate of soda

water

pinch salt

1 cup water

1 tbs soap flakes

1/2 tbs glycerine

First, make the liquid soap by mixing the soap flakes in the water then adding glycerine. Next, sprinkle water on the base of the oven. Cover with bicarbonate of soda and allow to sit overnight. Wipe off and apply the liquid soap with a scouring pad. Rinse.

Find the Best Chlorine Removal Shampoo For Your Hair

Swimming is not only a fun and leisurely activity, but it is also a great way to burn calories and tone your body. Having said that, swimming in chlorinated pools can be quite detrimental to one's hair. The chlorine and other chemicals that are added to pools to kill potentially harmful bacteria and viruses also wreaks havoc on your hair. Fortunately, there are a number of great shampoos that are designed to remove chlorine from your hair.

The shampoos listed below are specifically designed to not only remove any damaging chlorine from your hair, but to restore its natural beauty and shine. Here are some of the more popular shampoos specially formulated to remove harmful chlorine from your hair.

Ultra Slim Shampoo

Ultra Slim is a popular shampoo choice for many regular swimmers. It effectively removes chlorine and its odor to keep your hair soft, silky, and easily manageable. It also does a great job of moisturizing your hair with its added vitamin E and aloe vera.

TriSwim Shampoo

TriSwim is specially formulated for people who love swimming, but hate how chlorinated water negatively affects their hair. This shampoo contains aloe vera, vitamins A & E, and Pro-Vitamin B5, which helps to remove copper deposits that causes many swimmers' hair to look green.

Barracuda Aquia

Barracude Aquia dechlorinating shampoo is another popular shampoo designed to dechlorinate and clarify the hair of swimmers. It is not only designed to remove chlorine and other harmful pool additives from your hair, but it also works to protect your hair from future chlorinated water exposure.

These are just a few of the many different dechlorinating shampoos available for sale today. Whichever shampoo you choose, be sure to take a quick shower or bath immediately after swimming. The longer you wait with the chlorine still in your hair, the more damage it can do.

Many of these chlorine removal shampoos do not have to be used every day for them to be effective. Typically, shampooing twice a week will help to remove any harmful effects that chlorine might have on your hair. Discover how a dechlorinating shampoo can help to reduce the negative impact swimming in chlorinated pools can have on your hair.