How To Tell If Your Hair Has Product Build Up

4 signs your hair is suffering from product build-up, and what to do about it

If you’ve noticed your hair is looking dull, limp or lackluster, chances are you could be suffering from a case of product build-up. Product build-up can happen over a period of time, and it happens when all the serums, sprays, creams, oils, dry shampoos – and everything in between – you’re using leave behind a non-soluble, sticky residue on both hair strands and the scalp.

Most products don’t leave huge traces behind so product build-up takes time. But over a few days or weeks, it gradually increases and can have a negative impact on the look and feel of your hair.

While you might think simply washing your hair – maybe with a little more force as you scrub in your shampoo – will sort it out, the truth is, it won’t. Product build-up binds itself to individual hair strands and to the scalp, and traditional shampoos simply can’t cut through it. Enter: clarifying shampoos and conditioners, which are formulated to break down and remove product build-up specifically. So, what exactly are the surefire signs you need to start incorporating clarifying products into your routine? Keep reading to find out…

When your hair looks dull

One of the most obvious signs that your hair has a case of product build-up is if it looks dull. No matter what you do, it feels like your normal shine just won’t appear. This dullness occurs because the layers of product stuck on hair prevent moisture from entering your strands, so any shine-enhancing products that you usually use – such as conditioner – will sit on top of hair, rather than absorbing into it. Products like Nexxus’s Clean & Pure Nourishing Detox Shampoo and Conditioner are the answer to your shiny hair prayers, though. Used in place of your regular shampoo and conditioner daily, they gently cleanse hair and restore natural shine, while cutting through the grease, oil and product build-up to leave hair feeling nourished and looking glossy once again.

Your hair won’t hold its natural texture

This one impacts anyone who has textured, afro, curly or coily hair. If you’re noticing it’s suddenly tricky to find your natural curl pattern, or if your hair isn’t holding its natural texture quite as well as normal, chances are it’s time to hit the reset button. These are all signs the products or styling tricks you’re using to embrace your natural texture are no longer able to work due to a layer of product build-up. Nexxus’s Clean & Pure Invigorating Detox Scalp Scrub is a good product to use if this applies to you; it’ll rebalance the scalp and get rid of any impurities in one fell swoop, and the PROTEINFUSION blend revives and hydrates hair to give it back its natural gloss and bounce.

Your hair feels dry and breaks easily (but it’s greasy, too)

Hands up if this sounds familiar: your hair feels dry and breaks easily, but you’re also dealing with a greasier-than-normal scalp. This tension between dry ends and an oily scalp may sound strange or confusing, but these are actually three very common and obvious signs there’s a build-up of product. In this case it’s causing an imbalance on your scalp; hair strands can’t absorb the much-needed moisture, so your scalp is going into sebum-producing overdrive to try and counteract the problem. The solution? Regularly incorporating a clarifying shampoo and conditioner. Not only will it ensure the moisture can reach the places it needs to be, but it’ll also help regulate the sebum production to balance everything out.

Your hair looks limp and is lacking in volume

One of the most frustrating signs your hair has fallen victim to excessive product build-up is that it looks perpetually limp and is seriously lacking in volume – no matter how many root-boosting products you use. The reason for this is because the products you’re applying simply can’t work – there is a layer of build-up standing in their way. Plus, there’s likely also a build-up of natural oils at the roots to contend with, too. However, clarifying products will work immediately to diminish that build-up and restore hair back to its lighter, fully, voluminous self.