The Path to Silky Strands: Removing Build-Up for Healthier Hair

Buildup hair can cause bad effects on your hair such as; hair dryness, brittle and drizzling, etc. In this condition, your hair stocks the shampoo, conditioner, and other hair styling creams on your hair and does not allow other styling products to work well, So, how to remove build up in hair?

Here we will discuss the five best methods you can use to remove buildup in your hair and make hair soft and silky again. How the build-up happens in the hair and what are the main causes of it. Some of the methods are natural remedies and you can use them by making them in your home.

1. What is Scalp Build-Up?

Scalp Buildup occurs when you find dead cells or flakes in your head and they constantly drop on your shoulders, you might think that this is normal dandruff but be careful, it may be seborrheic dermatitis also known as scalp buildup.

Build Up in hair causes many problems such as dryness and dandruff. These things can make your hair hard and difficult to carry. The symptoms of dandruff and scalp build-up are similar to each other but not the same.

Here is the complete video on washing out build up in hair. You can watch it to understand the problem and the solution to it.

1.1. Symptoms of Build-Up in Hair

You can check whether you have the symptoms of the scalp build-up or not. Here are some symptoms of build-up hair which are as follows:

• Dryness
• Dandruff
• Greasy Hair
• Itchy Scalp
• Flakes
• Redness 

1.2. Causes of Build-Up

There are multiple causes of the build-up in normal hair. And these causes might be your daily hair care routine.

Some of the main causes of build-up are as follows and also determine which cause exists in your life and how you can tackle it.

i. Dead Skin Cells

In some people when some cells are dead, the new cells can be replaced by the old ones. But in some cases, the old cells don’t go away and when they stay on the surface of the scalp, they can cause buildup in your hair and you have oily hair.

ii. Silicone Shampoo

if you use the detox shampoo which contains the silicone¹ in it. It can cause damage to your hair and can cause build-up. It indirectly damages your hair health. Make sure to switch your dry shampoos to recover this issue.

iii. Dirt

If you mostly travel on a bike or the area where you live is dusty. And, your hair stays in the dust for a long time. Then you must wash your hair regularly and do it properly to clean the dust and excess oil from your hair and scalp to avoid build Up

iv. Not washing regularly

If you use multiple hair products and don’t wash them regularly, then you can damage your hair worse. Hair styling products such as pomade, clay, and gel can harm your hair and also the scalp, if you don’t wash it properly on time.

Staying these hair products on your hair for a longer duration of time can cause buildup which ultimately damages the hair’s health. But if you have an oily scalp then you can wash your head frequently.

Excessive Hair Oils and Butters

The use of hair oils, or hair products that contain oils or butter, is popular. Many people like using hair oils to soften a gel cast or to lock humidity out of their hair and prevent frizz.

Hair products containing oils and butter are great for helping to lock in moisture to keep our hair from getting dry between wash days. 

However, if we use more oils than our hair needs, or aren’t using a strong enough cleanser, these can build up on our hair. If these products get on the scalp during styling, it can cause scalp buildup as well.

Emily E, Blogger, Wavy Hair Care

v. Sebum

Sebum Production² is another cause of buildup because in this process the scalp can produce oil from the head and when the amount of this natural oil becomes too high it causes the buildup to happen.

vi. Chlorine

Chlorine is extremely bad for your hair health because hair buildup very quickly. This chemical is located in the swimming pools. So, make sure to use a shampoo after swimming to avoid extreme damage to your hair.

vii. Product Buildup

Many hair products contain oiliness in their ingredients. And, these types of ingredients cause scalp buildup.

Hard Water and Product Accumulation

Over many years of dealing with thousands of hair loss cases, I’ve noticed that scalp buildup is a bigger problem than most people realize.

A shocking number of the patients—I’d say hundreds for sure—ended up losing a lot of hair due to severe buildup on their scalps.

Most folks know the regular causes, like not shampooing enough or using too many heavy products. 

But I’ve found some underrated causes that the patients never suspected. One overlooked cause is hard water buildup.

If you wash your hair with hard water, which contains high mineral content, it can leave deposits on your scalp and hair follicles, causing buildup and contributing to hair loss.

The second one is the buildup from hairspray and dry shampoo that just keeps compounding over time. Sweat is another reason for scalp buildup. If you exercise a lot but don’t rinse your scalp well, you can end up with a mix of sweat, dirt, and natural oils stuck in your hair.

The same thing can happen to people with oily hair or scalp conditions who don’t clean their hair enough.

It makes me confused why these kinds of buildup problems that could have been stopped ended up causing so much hair to fall out. That’s why cleaning your hair regularly and properly is crucial to keeping the hair follicles clear and healthy.

Tamim Hamid, Owner, Theradome Inc

2. 5 Methods on How to Get Rid of Build Up in Hair

How to wash off build up in hair shaft by using the five best methods. But these methods will vary on your hair type and also the length of your hair.

You can use a natural method or buy ready-made products from the store. Whatever the method is, the important thing is to make your hair and improve scalp health.

2.1. How to Wash Off Build Up Using Clarifying Shampoo

If you already have the problem of hair care product buildup in your hair, then you must consider clarifying shampoos to avoid this problem at the early stage.

Use this clarifying shampoo once a week if your hair condition is worse. This shampoo will help you to get off buildup and make your hair healthy with strong.

After your hair product buildup problem fades a little bit, then you can use it once a month. You must add this shampoo to your hair care routine.

This can help you to reduce the oil on your scalp and remove the extra styling products that you can use to style your hair and improve your hair and scalp.

i. How to Apply:

Here is the method on how you can use the clarifying shampoos on your hair.

• The most important thing is to buy the best-clarifying shampoos for your hair. You can google search to buy the best product for your hair type.
• Apply a decent amount of shampoo on the wet hair. The amount of the shampoo will depend upon the length of your hair.
• Apply on the hair and scalp of your hair and apply the shampoo from top to bottom of your hair length. Make sure to gently massage for a couple of minutes.
• Then rinse off and remove the shampoo from the hair properly.
• But don’t use regular shampoo in your hair routine.

Using a clarifying shampoo will help you to remove scalp buildup from the hair, but apply the amount and the time duration according to the length of your hair. This thing will help your hair to grow healthier.

2.2. Use Apple Cider Vinegar to remove Hair Product BuildUp

The first method on how to get rid of hair build up in hair is not the natural method to solve this problem. But this vinegar solution is natural and you can make this product on your own. The ingredients you can find in the kitchen and you can make it.

This method will make your hair smoother and silkier than ever and also maintain the texture and pH value of your hair. But if you have color-treated hair and damaged hair then the rinse is not the recommended method because it can damage the colored hair and make it fade.

i. Ingredients you Need

Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe:

• 1-2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Cup of water.
• Bottle of the Rinse

ii. How to make the Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Here is the step-by-step method to make this vinegar rinse:

• Pour the water into the mug.
• And, pour the apple cider vinegar.
• Mix the vinegar with the cool water with the help of a spoon.
• Mix it well as all the ingredients combine properly.
• If you have long hair then you can double the amount of all the ingredients in the recipe.

iii. How to apply?

After you make the apple cider vinegar, rinse. Then there is the method on how you can apply this;

• You can also add some other essential oils to make your hair healthier and smoother.
• Add this mixture to the scalp completely and massage it well.
• Rinse this with the clarifying shampoo and wash the recipe properly with cold water.
• Make sure to add this to your hair care.

2.3. Use Lemon Juice to Get Rid of Hair BuildUp

Here is another natural hair remedy to remove the hair buildup. This method is best if you treat this problem and also want some extra benefits. Lemon will provide a shine to your hair and also get rid of dullness and remove dirt from your hair and scalp.

i. Ingredients:

• Three Cups of Water
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

ii. How to Make:

You can make this hair remedy at home with lemon juice and some cool water.

• Pour one tablespoon of lime juice into three cups of water.
• Now, after lime juice is mixed with the water.

iii. How to Apply:

• You can simply apply it with the help of a spray bottle on your hair. Make sure to gently massage it on the hair and scalp to the top of your hair for better results.
• Do it for two to three minutes.
• After this, you can rinse off the lemon juice from your hair and scalp with the help of a conditioner or a medicated shampoo.

This method is extremely helpful if your hair shaft remains dry and you are open to the sun at the time.

You can use this to provide shine and silkiness to your hair with natural ingredients. Add this thing to your hair routine for better results if you are experiencing hair buildup in the hair follicle. 

2.4. Use Baking Soda to Remove Hair Product Buildup from the hair

Baking soda is generally used in bakery items but there are also other good uses of this. You can also use the baking soda paste to remove hair product buildup. This is extremely helpful if your hair and scalp are frequently in contact with chlorine.

i. Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoon Baking Soda
• ½ cup of Warm Water

ii. How to Make?

Baking soda solution removes hair buildup, excess oil, and dullness in your hair and gives a new life to it.

Here is the method by which you can easily make the baking soda thick paste and apply it on your hair are as follows;

• Combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1.5 Cup of warm water
• A bowl in which you can make this paste.
• Pour some warm water into the bowl and add the baking soda to it.
• Mix it well until it becomes a thick paste.

iii. How to Apply?

• Make sure to use it after hair washing apply the paste on your scalp properly and don’t apply it on the hair top.
• Apply it on the scalp for a couple of minutes.
• Now, it’s time to rinse this off from your hair with the water.
• You can use a shampoo or a conditioner to wash it and remove all the paste.
• It will help you to get rid of hair buildup and make a healthy scalp.

The amount of the ingredients will depend upon the hair type and the length of your hair. If you have oily hair, then the amount of baking soda will increase. So, be careful and estimate the ingredients on your own.

2.5.  Using Scalp Scrub to Wash Build-Up From Hair

The hair buildup is dependent on the scalp condition of your hair. Then, make sure to remove hair buildup before it can become worse. This can make dull hair and dry and sometimes the dandruff appears in your hair.

You can also use a scalp scrub to improve the scalp condition and avoid hair buildup in your hair. Mostly you can use it before applying the shampoo on your hair.

It removes the dead skin cells on the scalp of your hair which causes all the hair problems.

i. How to use Scalp Scrub?

• You can buy a scalp scrub from any store physically or you can buy it online. There are many scalp scrubs available in the market to buy from. Make sure to choose a good one that is suitable for your hair type.
• This is a very simple method of doing the scalp scrub message.
• You just have to apply it on your head in a circular motion. It can remove all the dead skin cells and dust: excess oils.
• Then, wash your hair with cool water.

There are different types of scrubs available which have different features. One type of scrub can help to remove hair buildup, remove dirt and other types of scrubs are used for different hair problems.

Check for Sulfate-Free and Silicone-Free Products

Differentiating between hair care products that contribute to buildup and those that effectively cleanse without causing it can be challenging for consumers.

One key factor to consider is the ingredient list. Look for sulfate-free products, as sulfates are known to strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and potential buildup over time. 

Additionally, avoid products containing silicones, which can create a coating on the hair shaft that may trap dirt, oils, and other product residues, contributing to build-up.

Instead, opt for products formulated with gentle cleansing agents such as coconut-based surfactants or natural botanical extracts that effectively remove dirt and impurities without overly stripping the hair.

Furthermore, consumers should pay attention to the pH level of the products they use. Ideally, hair care products should have a pH level close to that of the scalp, which is slightly acidic, to maintain the natural balance of the scalp and hair.

Products with excessively high or low pH levels can disrupt this balance, leading to issues like dryness, irritation, and potential buildup.

By carefully reviewing ingredient lists and opting for products with gentle cleansing agents and balanced pH levels, consumers can make informed choices that promote clean, healthy hair without the risk of buildup.

Ben Davis, CEO, The Gents Place

3. Seek a Dermatologist

If your problem is still there and these methods don’t work well on your hair health and make it worse. Then, this is the right time when you must seek a professional and get a good piece of advice for scalp treatment. 

A dermatologist can help you with your query of how to get rid of build up in hair. They see your hair condition and ultimately the appropriate treatment by checking the type of your hair and also your genetics.

4. Conclusion

Here is the natural method by which you can easily get rid of Build Up and make your hair healthy, shiny, and silky again.

You can use one of the methods for scalp buildup which I mentioned above if you want to get rid of it. You can also try natural remedies to solve this issue. It can also prevent the buildup from occurring again and give you nice and healthy hair.

The main cause of product buildup in hair is dead skin cells, dry scalp³, and the hair products that remain on the surface of the scalp that can cause irritation and make hair dry and itchy.

But you can use the apple cider vinegar solution, baking soda, scalp scrub, or clarifying shampoo to remove the product buildup in your hair. Using these methods makes your hair dry at first, but when you apply these methods regularly, then you feel the difference.

5. FAQs

5.1. Can heavy Build cause damage and hair loss?

Yes, it can if your build-up problem becomes worse and has an irritated scalp health. Then, it can cause dryness and damage the roots of the hair, which can lead to hair loss.

5.2. How does silicone in products damage the hair?

Silicone is a non-water soluble resistant product that can damage your hair when you apply that product in which silicone is present.

5.3. Is washing your natural hair every day good for your hair health?

It depends upon the hair type. If you have natural oil in your head or a greasy scalp then you can wash your hair daily. But if you already have dry hair then you can avoid wash frequency.

5.4.  How to get rid of Build up?

You can use the clarifying shampoo or baking soda mixture method which I discussed in this article to cure the build-up and treat frizz.

One way to stop build-up in hair is avoiding the usage of styling products that contain harmful ingredients.

5.5. Brushing your hair frequently can remove build-up.

The effect of brushing your hair very frequently only provides a good blood flow on your head and a good transformation of natural oils on the scalp of your head.

5.6. Which method is best to get rid of Build Up?

The best method depends upon the type of your hair. Some methods work well on different types of hair. You can try multiple methods to tackle your problem. 

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

1. Li, Qinghua, Susan Zou, and Linda Wei. “Silicone to Reduce Combing Force, Control Flyaway, Repair Damage in Transparent Shampoo.” Journal of Cosmetic Science 73.6 (2022). ↩︎
2. Blume, U., et al. “Physiology of the vellus hair follicle: hair growth and sebum excretion.” British journal of dermatology 124.1 (1991): 21-28. ↩︎
3. Oshima, Mika, et al. “Improvement of Scalp Condition and Quality of Life through Proper Skin Care of Dry Scalp.” Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications 4.04 (2014): 284. ↩︎

Last Updated on August 17, 2024 by Sathi