How to Create the Best Deep Cleansing Hair Routine

Are you ready for a cleanse? Don't worry; we're not talking about a juice cleanse. We're talking about revitalizing your hair! Deep cleansing is an essential part of hair care routine and a key component of managing all hair types from straight to curly. With all of the elements your hair takes on, cleansing is a way to refresh, rebuild, and restore. Maybe your hair has been through a lot of salon treatments lately or perhaps your curls are simply in need of a little TLC after the long, dry winter. No matter the condition of your hair, cleansing treatments are an important part of your weekly hair care routine.

Let's explore how to get the best results from your deep cleansing routine. Learn how to identify when your curls need cleansing, understand recommended techniques and products, and enjoy healthier natural hair.

How Can You Tell When Your Hair Needs Deep Cleansing? What Happens When Cleansing Is Neglected?

Sometimes everyday shampoo simply isn't enough to restore your hair to its silky, vibrant glory. Your hair is extraordinary and deserves a unique care regime tailored to suit its needs. A deep hair cleanse is a part of the magic. Experts recommend using cleansing shampoo once to twice a month on average. However, for those with hair that is frequently treated or prone to build-up, a 7-day hair care routine that incorporates clarifying is ideal. You'll quickly learn to identify the signs when your hair needs a deep cleanse. This will guide your natural hair schedule to determine when you need to clarify and how frequently to keep up the routine.  

Board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, defines deep cleansing as, "a hair treatment that exfoliates dead skin cells and breaks down buildup on your scalp and hair to prevent things like dandruff, scalp itchiness, and hair breakage. It ultimately preps your hair to absorb the ingredients and benefits of your other hair products, and gives you healthier and shinier hair overall."

Think of deep cleansing as a clean slate for your hair and scalp. When we neglect to deep clean hair, it has a lasting negative impact on our hair and scalp health. One of the first signs you'll notice is increased build-up and flaking. This is often followed by an itchy and inflamed scalp. You may notice increased shedding and more hair left in the brush. Without a consistent clarifying routine, natural hair becomes more brittle over time as the protein bonds degrade.

The weight of build-up, combined with increased dryness, causes split ends, slower hair growth, and ultimately breakage as your beautiful curls crack under the stress. If you use heavy styling products, have a bad habit of leaving protective styles in too long, or live in an area with high pollution rates and/or hard, mineralized water, you'll want to clarify more often to prevent toxins from clogging your pores and maintain optimal scalp health.

Don't leave your lovely locks to struggle. Get ahead of hair damage by implementing a reliable deep cleansing routine.

Recommended Techniques and Products for Deep Cleaning Hair

Get the most vibrant hair possible from your deep cleansing routine and make sure your technique is serving your goals. The right products can go a long way in mastering the deep hair cleanse. To simplify the process, we've broken down the essentials along with their essential products.

Start With a Scalp Massage

Great hair growth starts at the scalp. Your scalp is responsible for stimulating new hair follicles and adding length to natural hair. Acquiring a few tips and tricks for a healthy scalp can benefit your clarifying routine.

Do you love the relaxing bliss of a full head massage at the salon? Capture that peace at home during your deep hair cleanse. Start the routine with a scalp massage to improve circulation and unwind. You can also use your fingers or invest in a scalp massager. Work in a hair cleansing oil to provide hydration and nourishment during this part of the process. Natural oils work best and won't weigh down your curls. Oil-based scalp treatments work best for dry, dense hair types that require additional hydration to stay vibrant. Try primrose, coconut oil, or argan oil. You can gently massage the oil directly onto your scalp and let it sit for five minutes before rinsing.

To lock in hydration and soften the skin, complete your scalp massage with a steam treatment. 

Comb Your Scalp to Restore Fresh Skin

Sometimes our scalp needs a little extra help removing debris, build-up, and dead skin cells. Additionally, regularly combing your scalp with a gentle silicone brush is a great way to remove any material from the surface. We recommend doing this while your hair is exposed to a soothing steam treatment (or with the hot steam of the shower). This allows you to work through your scalp while the skin is softer and less prone to irritation. If you do find your scalp becoming sensitive or irritated, try a spritz of aloe to calm redness and inflammation before brushing.

Reset With Clarifying Shampoo

Grab your shampoo scrub and start the clarifying process! For this step, you'll want to key in on ingredients designed to cleanse your hair and scalp without stripping away the natural oils. This is especially important if you incorporate a deep hair cleanse as part of a 7 days hair care routine. The best-clarifying shampoo should be sulfate and alcohol-free, contain soothing natural ingredients, and work well on your hair type. Avoid any artificial additives as these will only leave behind further residue.

Good ingredients for a deep hair cleanse include charcoal, which draws out toxins and impurities, coconut oil or butter for hydration and antibacterial properties, aloe vera or apple cider vinegar for exfoliation and cleansing, and lastly, a refreshing herb such as menthol to leave your hair and scalp feeling phenomenal. 

When it comes to technique, start with the ends of your curls and work your way up to the scalp, using your shampoo scrub to exfoliate your pores. Rinse with bottled or cold water and gently wrap your hair in a static-free towel such as silk. If you're looking for a faster way to dry your hair without exacerbating the damage to your curls, try RevAir! Our unique reverse air design is a kinder way to style natural hair. Three times faster than conventional hairdryers with a fraction of the heat, learn how you can use your RevAir to perfect your hair care routine. 

Benefits and Other Helpful Tips for Deep Cleaning and Maintaining Healthy Hair

Incorporating a deep hair cleanse into your routine is one of the best things you can do for your curls. The benefits of clarifying include soft, shinier hair that's free of lingering residue. This in turn makes your hair easier to comb through and detangle. You'll also notice that once you've committed to a deep hair cleanse your locks will absorb color and product more effectively. Think of cleansing as a way to unclog your pores and make space for vitamins, nutrients, and moisture to penetrate the hair shaft. You might even find that your hair growth has been jumpstarted and you're adding inches to your locks without drastically changing your daily routine! It's amazing what the power of a little cleansing can unlock.

Tips and Tricks for an Effective Natural Hair Cleansing Routine

• Always rinse with filtered or bottled water. Hard, mineralized water leaves behind lots of residues that can weigh down on your curls over time.
• Opt for low-heat styling options! Bringing down the heat will alleviate scalp irritation, inflammation, and dryness.
• Try incorporating a DIY home spa treatment for clarification. This is a great technique for a once-a-month deep hair cleanse. Choose your favorite hair cleansing oil and massage a generous amount into your scalp. Let the oil nourish your pores for two hours before using a clarifying shampoo. Once complete, shampoo again and do a vinegar rinse. Apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle mixed with a dash of aloe or tea tree oil works well here. Rinse from scalp to ends and style for shiny, brilliant hair. If your hair is a bit more prone to dryness, condition the ends to seal in moisture.
• Do you use dry shampoo often? One quick hack to remove product build-up when you don't have time for a cleanse is a teaspoon of baking soda. That's right -- the secret to beautiful hair may be in your baking cupboard. Place a teaspoon directly onto your scalp to draw out impurities, massage, and rinse for a speedy cleansing routine on the go.

It's time to give your hair a refresh. Learn how to incorporate a deep hair cleanse into your weekly routine by using the go-to tips, tricks, and product recommendations from our natural hair community. Many report that their hair looks its best in the weeks following a clarifying routine. The shine, texture, and movement are strong, healthy, and vibrant. 

Add your tips and must-haves to the list and let our team know what your natural hair care routine looks like. Happy styling!