Learn how to tell if your hair has product buildup, what causes product buildup in hair and how to remove buildup from hair.
In This Article:
- How to tell if your hair has product buildup
- How to get rid of product buildup?
- Is product buildup harmful for the hair?
- Why You Should Trust Us?
Product buildup are the layers of residue left behind from hair styling products like gels, creams, sprays, cleansers, hairsprays, etc. that settle on the hair and scalp.
Most hair styling products contain ingredients like silicones, wax, mineral oils etc. that can, with regular use, the stick to the hair and shine and keep adding up with every application as they do not get washed off easily.
Here’s how to tell if your hair has product buildup and learn what does product build-up in hair look like.
How to tell if your hair has product buildup
Apart from getting gunk stuck in your fingernails or seeing while blobs in your parting, there are many other signs that will tell you that your hair has succumbed to product buildup. Here are some of them:
Your hair feels less voluminous
Well, once your hair strands get weighed down by all the locked in layers of residue and buildup, it loses its lustre and shine, making the hair waxy, greasy, and limp.
At this point, there is not much you can do to bring back its volume unless you completely get rid of the excess buildup.
Lack of moisture and dry hair
Like I’ve mentioned earlier in the article, hair that contains product buildup will not allow conditioners, serums and moisturizers to penetrate into the hair strand.
Therefore, the hair will not be able to get the necessary moisturizing it requires and it could be one of the signs of silicone buildup on hair.
You need to shampoo your hair more often
Once your hair contains excessive buildup, your hair will feel greasy quickly within a day or two of a hair wash. You will never feel like your hair is completely clean. Sometimes, if shampoos contain heavy ingredients like creams, butters, oil, etc. or silicones that can cause buildup, washing too often can be counterproductive. (Punyani, Supriya et al. “The Impact of Shampoo Wash Frequency on Scalp and Hair Conditions.” Skin appendage disorders vol. 7,3 (2021): 183-193. doi:10.1159/000512786)
Your hair is very difficult to style and shape
Hair with product buildup will make it harder for you to style your hair. And even if you’ve probably managed to style it, you will realize that the style will not stay or hold in place for a long time.
You may develop scalp conditions
While your hair may feel dry and rough, your scalp will feel sticky and greasy. This may also result in the development of dandruff, scalp conditions, redness or soreness.
Well, if you have a few or all of these signs, then note that they are all indicative of product buildup issues you need to resolve as soon as possible!
How to get rid of product buildup?
Some of the best ways to get rid of product buildup from the scalp and hair is by using the following methods
1. Using hair clarifiers or clarifying shampoos
Well, clarifying shampoos are known to be one of the most effective methods in getting rid of product buildup and cleansing the scalp completely.
Clarifying shampoos have the ability to cut through the layers of the buildup in order to detoxify the hair. That is how strong and effective they are for the hair.
While these shampoos can do the best job of getting rid of the buildup, they can also damage your hair at the same time as they can be harsh on the hair.
Such shampoos contain harsh chemicals like SLES and SLS that can damage the hair by stripping the hair off its moisture and making the hair become weak and brittle.
So clarifying shampoos cannot be used on a regular basis and should be limited to use only once in a month to once in forty-five days.
Using a clarifying shampoo on your scalp and then over the hair is advisable, while also deep conditioning your hair after its use, to regain the lost moisture and moisturize your hair.
2. Washing your hair with micellar water
Like I’ve mentioned earlier, using a clarifying shampoo on a regular basis can damage your hair beyond repair and therefore, it is not advisable to use it too often.
Well, of course there are other methods you could also use to get rid of product buildup and this one’s using something called ‘micellar water’. The name may be new to many, I’m sure, so here’s what it is.
Micellar water is a product used to help get rid of product buildup, just like clarifying shampoos, but use micellars instead of harsh chemicals to get rid of the buildup.
The micellar molecules draw the impurities towards them and attach to them in order to dissolve them, in turn breaking down the buildup and eventually washing it away.
Since micellar water doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, it can be used on a regular basis, even up to once every week. It will help cleanse your hair and scalp and also nourish it at the same time.
3. Use home cleansing hacks like baking soda and apple cider vinegar
Well, I’m sure there are some of you guys out there who always look for simple home hacks to solve most of your problems and guess what, we have you covered!
Here are some effective home hacks you can try, to get rid of product buildup from your hair:
Baking soda: Dissolve ½ tablespoon of baking soda in half a cup of warm water and rinse your hair with this mixture after your hair has been shampooed and washed, but before conditioning your hair. Baking soda has properties of mild abrasion and can help loosen up and get rid of product buildup.
Apple cider vinegar: Rinse your hair with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with half a cup. Since apple cider vinegar is acetic, it can help get rid of product buildup.
Lemon juice: Mix 1½ teaspoons of lemon juice in 1½ cups of water and rinse your hair with this mixture after you’ve shampooed your hair. Leave it on for 2 to 3 minutes before rinsing off. Then, condition your hair. Lemon juice may not completely get rid of the buildup, but it can help revive the hair damaged due to excessive product buildup.
Homemade scalp scrubs: Scalp scrubs help exfoliate the hair and therefore mixing cane sugar (or semi-granulated sugar) or even coffee grounds with any oil of your choice in order to make a paste to use as your scalp scrub will help get rid of the product buildup.
Is product buildup harmful for the hair?
Yes, of course! It most definitely can be harmful to your hair and can also hinder your hair growth.
One of the main problems of product build up is the clogging of the hair follicles on the scalp, apart from causing scalp irritation, dandruff formation, scalp conditions, itching and redness.
When this product buildup clogs the hair follicles, the normal hair growth process gets hindered.
This product buildup can also make it an unfit environment for the hair to grow and can lead to hair loss in the long run. Or it may even result in improper or no hair growth as well.
Another problem people with product buildup in their hair can face is their hair becoming dry, frizzy and having split ends.
This is due to the residue forming layers over the scalp that do not wash off easily.
So the conditioners we use to moisturize the hair do not penetrate into the hair strand and this makes the hair become dry, brittle, rough and of course, more prone to damage and breakage.
Why You Should Trust Us?
The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.
The final takeaway
Well, I hope this article gave you all the answers you’ve been looking for with regard to getting rid of product buildup from your scalp and hair.
I’d definitely suggest trying out the home hacks before going in for the others and I hope you can soon say goodbye to product buildup!
For those who have scalp conditions due to the buildup, it is important to consult a doctor in order to get professionally treated.
Also Read:
How To Use Malibu Crystal Gel Treatments
To Summarize