Easy Ways To Remove Hair Product Buildup and Keep Your Hair Healthy

If your hair looks thin, dull, or dry, the culprit may be product buildup. Product buildup can negatively affect the health of your hair and scalp. It diminishes your natural shine and clogs your hair follicles, which may impede hair growth. 

But what exactly is buildup, and what can you do about it? Read on to learn more about how to remove buildup in hair and keep your hair looking healthy.

Understanding Hair and Scalp Buildup

The styling products you use coat your hair to give it texture, style, and better manageability. Products are designed to stay on the hair all day, keeping it looking great. Unfortunately, though, products might leave residue on your hair and scalp. Buildup can make new growth from treatments like follicular transplants, Laser Hair Therapy, or EXT Extreme Hair Therapy^® look oily, flat, or limp.

What Causes Hair and Scalp Buildup?

Over time, styling products like gel, mousse, hair spray, dry shampoo, and even some regular shampoos and conditioners can leave residue on your hair that builds up. Sweat, pollution, and minerals from washing your hair in hard water can also cling to your hair and scalp. This combined residue can weigh your hair down, cause dryness, and make your strands more susceptible to breakage, creating the appearance of thinning hair. 

Common Signs of Hair Product Buildup

One of the most common signs of product buildup is hair that looks oily or greasy. This can be due to products lingering on your hair even after washing. You might also notice that your hair looks dull and lifeless and won’t hold a style. And your scalp might be irritated, or you may experience flakiness. 

How Hair Product Buildup Differs From Dandruff

Product buildup can affect the skin on your scalp, leading to flaking. This can look a lot like dandruff, but it’s not the same thing. Dandruff is usually caused by a chronic dry scalp or by a condition like eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, or psoriasis. 

Unlike product buildup, dandruff only affects the scalp, not the hair shaft. If you suspect you have dandruff, use a medicated shampoo to reduce flakes or consult a dermatologist for prescription-strength products. 

The Importance of Regular Hair Washing

Regular shampooing is the best defense against product buildup. A clean scalp, free of buildup ensures that topical hair loss treatments like EXT Extreme Hair Therapy^® can reach your scalp and stimulate new hair growth. Keeping your scalp and hair clarified is also a good way to care for the skin around hair transplants and new hair growth. 

Buying the right shampoo for your hair type — and the products you use — can prevent buildup from becoming a serious problem.

Choosing the Right Shampoo for Your Hair Type

Just like traditional shampoos, clarifying shampoos are available for all kinds of hair: curly hair, dry hair, oily hair, colored hair, and more. Using the right shampoo for your hair can help get rid of hair buildup.

Clarifying Shampoos

Regular shampoos are formulated to remove dirt and excess oil from your hair, but clarifying or anti-residue shampoos are specifically made to remove product buildup to help revive dull, flat hair. These shampoos are designed to exfoliate the scalp and provide a deeper clean than your everyday shampoo. They can also help soothe scalp itchiness. 

Sulfate-Free Shampoos for Sensitive Scalps

Sulfates are excellent for cleaning your hair and scalp, but they can be drying. Some people find that sulfates irritate a sensitive scalp, which may stimulate excessive oil production. Try a sulfate-free shampoo for routine washing to prevent oily buildup. 

Natural Remedies To Remove Hair Buildup

In addition to many products on the market that can help remove hair product buildup, there are also some natural ways to remove this pesky residue with ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. Keep reading to discover how to get rid of buildup and keep your hair looking healthy.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

This household staple is a natural way to remove product buildup left on your hair from styling products.

• Combine one part apple cider vinegar with one part water and use it to rinse your hair after shampooing.
• You can apply the mixture with a spray bottle or pour it directly onto your hair.
• Allow it to sit for a minute or two, and then rinse thoroughly. 

Apple cider vinegar also helps detangle hair and seal the hair’s cuticle (the outermost layer of the hair shaft). The result is hair that’s smooth and shiny. It’s also been known to help relieve itchy scalp and restore your scalp’s PH levels. If you dye your hair, it can also aid in retaining the color and keep it looking fresh and vibrant.

Baking Soda Treatment

Baking soda is another multi-purpose, everyday item that naturally removes product buildup from your hair. All you have to do is mix a tablespoon of baking soda into a small amount of shampoo, then wash and rinse your hair. 

Alternatively, you can try massaging baking soda directly onto your wet hair and scalp for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly, then shampoo and condition as usual.

Lemon Juice as a Natural Cleanser

Lemon juice is naturally acidic, which can help remove oils from your hair and scalp. It can also leave your strands shiny and smelling fresh and citrusy! Add the juice of two lemons to a cup of warm water and use the mixture to rinse your hair. Follow that with your usual styling routine.

Best Practices To Prevent Hair Buildup

You can remove product buildup in your hair by choosing the right products and adjusting your hair care routine.  

Proper Hair Care Routine

A regular hair care routine can reduce buildup and remove residue. Washing hair regularly removes product buildup, dirt, and oil that can accumulate on hair and scalp. 

Rotate Hair Products Regularly

Rather than relying on the same hair care products day in and day out, find a variety of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that work well for your hair. Switch up your routine from day to day so you don’t keep layering on the same ingredients. Add clarifying treatments a couple of times a month to strip away stubborn residue. 

Limit Use of Heavy Styling Products

Heavy styling creams, waxes, or butters may contribute to buildup. The rich ingredients that do such a good job of holding a style can cling to your hair even after washing. Lighter products like gels or serums are easier to rinse away. 

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help maintain scalp and hair health. Eat foods that offer plenty of nutrients — like vitamins B12 and D, biotin, riboflavin, and iron — such as berries, eggs, salmon, avocados, and sweet potatoes. You can also drink plenty of water, which helps with circulation and cell turnover for healthy skin and hair. 

When To Seek Professional Help

If you’re washing, conditioning, and clarifying your hair, but it still looks oily and dull, talk to a hair specialist about how to remove product buildup. The hair loss experts at HairClub can help you structure a care routine that keeps your hair looking its best.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I remove buildup in my hair?

If you’re experiencing severe hair product buildup, you can do a clarifying wash once a week until your hair looks cleaner and shinier. After that, use a clarifying routine to remove buildup once a month or so.

Can buildup cause hair loss?

Scalp buildup can contribute to thinning hair. When the scalp is congested with oils, dead skin cells, and product residue, it can clog hair follicles and inhibit healthy hair growth. 

Are there specific products to avoid for buildup prevention?

Certain ingredients in hair care products are more likely to cause buildup. Use products with mineral oil, petroleum, waxes, and silicones like dimethicone sparingly.

If you’re looking for tips on managing hair loss and keeping hair looking great, schedule your appointment to meet with a HairClub hair loss expert. We’re committed to helping you make sure your hair always looks its best.