How to Apply Clarifying Shampoo

How to shampoo your hair
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Q: I have researched everywhere and have not found an answer. I know normally we are not supposed to put shampoo on the ends of our hair. Only on our roots, and then let the shampoo drip down to the ends, to prevent damage. The same, put only conditioner on the hair at the ends, not on the roots, so it does not clog the hair.
 
However, when swimming, should we be putting the clarifying shampoo on the ends as well, so it will get the chlorine out? Or use the same method and just let it drip to the ends? The same for the conditioner. Should I apply it to the roots only, given that area is also exposed to the chlorine? This is for my 5-year-old daughter and myself as well. Thank you so much for your help!
 
A: To be honest, most people usually just apply shampoo and conditioner to the total length of their hair to make sure that it all gets washed thoroughly. Even in salons you'll find that the apprentices and stylists wash the whole length of the hair, to make sure that it is all clean.
 
Remember that clarifying shampoo cleanses the hair on a much deeper level than other shampoos, which means that the whole hair shaft will need conditioner to be applied to it. Also, clarifying conditioner is designed to coat and nourish the length of the hair, but to not clog it up and make it look tacky.
 
Since you're obviously sensitive to the fact not to dry out your hair, and neither to clog it up with conditioner, I would suggest washing it less. If you currently wash your hair every day, try to only wash it every second or third day. Most people only need to wash their hair twice per week. Your hair may be a bit more oily at the beginning than normal, but your hair will adjust its oil-secretion soon enough.
 
Most people don't realize that by washing your hair every day, you're over stimulating your hair follicles to produce more and more oil, which makes the hair look dirty and tacky very fast. Washing your hair less also has other plus sides such as healthier hair that grows stronger. Since you're not stripping your hair of its natural oils every day or second day, your hair gets the chance to use its own oil to strengthen and nourish itself.
 
This is especially the case in scenarios where we use clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoo is specifically designed to deep-clean the hair from all the products that we apply to our hair that can make it look tacky and lifeless. But you have to remember that this "deep-clean" quality of the shampoo can also dry out the hair if it's used too often.
 
I would suggest that you only wash your and your daughter's hair twice a week, especially when using clarifying shampoo. Wash the hair from the root to tip, but concentrate on the roots when you’re massaging the shampoo into your scalp with your fingertips. When you apply conditioner, you can apply it to the total length of the hair, but concentrate on "rubbing" it into the ends especially.
 
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See also:
 
How to wash your hair
 
How does shampoo clean the hair?
 
How often should I change my shampoo?