FUNdamentals 31: Why does clean hair matter?
You know what's FUN-damental? When your product works. We'll be breaking down key info + recommendations to help you get the most out of K18.
Read MoreRoutine not working like it should? Hair looking duller and drier than usual? This could be a result of all the stuff that can build up on hair—keeping it from being clean and keeping your hair from looking great. Based on the science, clean hair = healthy hair…
what is clean hair?
A clean slate may not look like what you expect. Shampoo commercials show off glossy, smooth locks as the picture-perfect version of clean hair. In reality, truly clean hair looks more matte and feels soft and airy—not slick and shiny like traditional advertising has taught us. An easy way to tell is when you go to wet it. If your hair feels buttery soft like you already applied conditioner, there might be some buildup going on.
Here’s another way to think about it. If your clean hair is a fresh piece of paper with nothing on it, it doesn’t look as shiny. When you go to laminate it, it now feels smooth and reflects more shine. That lamination is like buildup on your hair, acting as a roadblock to anything you put on top.
Truly clean hair might even give a little squeak from friction between the hair cuticle and your fingers—a fun experiment you can try on your next wash day.
what if my hair isn’t clean?
To get your hair back on track, we first need to understand the culprits behind dirty hair. These can come from your routine, the environment, and even just living with hair. Here’s the break down:
Yeah, we put our hair through a lot. Without even trying, your hair can accumulate buildup that blocks anything you put on top from reaching your strands and working properly. Hence those subpar routine results we mentioned earlier.
clean canvas = better results
With a clean base, treatments perform more effectively, styling products work better, and hair color applies more vibrantly in the salon. So whether you’re working on perfecting your at-home routine or are ready to change up your look in the salon, starting with clean hair will deliver better results.
So let’s get you there.
You might be wondering “do I just need to shampoo and I’m good to go?” Well, sort of. The ironic thing is that most shampoos aren’t made with your hair and scalp health in mind. The average shampoo is not pH optimized, causing a higher degree of cuticle swelling and letting excess water get into your hair. This causes damage, dullness, frizz, and tangling—which we usually fix with styling products, and perpetuates the buildup cycle. Hair + scalp pH being thrown off balance can also contribute to excess sebum and oil buildup. Our shampoos are made with your hair’s optimal pH in mind to minimize cuticle swelling. This protects your hair color and keeps your moisture levels in check for healthier hair and scalp after just one wash.
And how about shampoos that claim to style while they clean? We’re talking things like volumizing and curl-enhancing shampoos. They’re usually packed with filler ingredients that leave deposits behind (read: more buildup) to give you that promised look. Our no-filler shampoos are formulated with our K18PEPTIDE™ to effectively cleanse and maintain hair strength without leaving fillers or deposits behind. So when you’re in need of a heavy-duty detox shampoo or our smoothing DAMAGE SHIELD pH protective shampoo, our shampoos have your back.
keep clean hair going
Now that you got a better cleanse, how about the other things impacting hair cleanliness? It can feel impossible to avoid environmental irritants and metals and minerals from your water. Good news, there’re a few ways to get holistically clean and healthy hair.
Try a shower filter that keeps metals + minerals out
Look for products optimized for the hair + scalp environment
Try limiting hair’s sun exposure
Ask your stylist for a chelating treatment to remove stubborn metal + mineral buildup
See ya soon for more FUNdamentals.
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