Hair clarifying treatments are effective at preventing build-up in the hair. While regular shampoo also helps prevent build up, clarifying treatments are often milder than standard shampoos. However, they should only be used twice a month, due to its ability to strip oils from the hair.
Specifically, I use the Redken Hair Cleansing Cream for All Hair Types. This product contains specific chemicals that directly target oils & residues. One ingredient is AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) as discussed in my recent article Exfoliating Your Skin: How Does It Work?. This exfoliant “essentially loosen[s] the bonds between the stratum disjunctum (outer-layer of the skin), [which] encourag[es] cells to shed” (Menchaca 1). This process not only helps remove dead skin cells from the scalp but also creates an optimal environment for hair growth.
Additionally, the Redken product contains sodium laureth sulfate, which promotes emulsification. The molecules in sodium laureth sulfate have hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (oil-loving) ends, enabling them to bind to oils in the hair. The hydrophobic end attaches to the oils, while the hydrophilic end binds to water, allowing the oils to be effectively washed away.
References:
Wood, Miranda, and Melissa Leyden. “Department of Chemistry.” Chemistry.as.virginia.edu, chemistry.as.virginia.edu/news/story/8681.
Science with Carly 
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