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Last Updated on April 9, 2023 by Verna Meachum
If you’ve been experiencing breakage and frizziness and just can’t seem to pinpoint the cause, it might be time to invest in a good old fashioned chelating shampoo.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Chelating shampoo, really? Do I really need that?” And my answer to that is: probably not. But it’s nice to have around just in case!
You see, chelating shampoo is one of those products that you don’t really need until you need it, but it’s nice to have around just in case. Just like duct tape or WD-40.
But like all things in life, there is a time and place for them! So if your hair has been feeling a little bit lackluster lately, and you just can’t seem to put your finger on the problem, a chelating shampoo might be the answer you’re looking for.
A chelating shampoo accomplishes more heavy lifting than your regular shampoo or clarifying shampoo.
It helps to remove minerals from hard water, such as calcium and magnesium, from the hair. These minerals can build up over time and cause the hair to become dry, brittle, and difficult to manage.
A chelating shampoo has active molecules called chelating agents that do the bulk of the work. These agents latch on to “impurities” and remove them from the hair.
In other words, they form a cage around the “gunk”, so the shampoo can rinse the entire complex from your hair.
Hair chelating products are often packed with powerful antioxidants and remove the filthy minerals and fight free radicals from attacking your hair.
A chelating shampoo can also be beneficial for people with normal water, as it can help remove any product build-up or residues that may have been left on the hair.
In the end, a chelating shampoo is definitely something that you should consider adding to your hair care routine if you have hard water, or if you simply want to give your hair a deep clean.
Did you know that minerals can raise the pH level of tap water to around 8.5?
“Alkaline pH may increase the negative electrical charge of the hair fiber surface and, therefore, increase friction between the fibers. This may lead to cuticle damage and fiber breakage. It is a reality and not a myth that lower pH of shampoos may cause less frizzing for generating less negative static electricity on the fiber surface.”
Source: The National Center for Biotechnology Information
EDTA is an abbreviation for Ethylamine Diamine Tetraacetic Acid, which is a color-less water-soluble solid that dissolves limescale and ions. It is a type of man-made synthetic amino acid.
EDTA has to be in the ingredient list for the shampoo to be considered a chelating shampoo. Chelating shampoos can come in both drugstore and salon products.
The higher the percentage of EDTA in the product, the stronger the removal of minerals and impurities.
There is a lot of confusion about chelating and EDTA-containing products. Just because a product contains EDTA doesn’t mean it is a chelating product.
Some shampoos use EDTA at a very low level as a preservative. So, look for shampoos that are specifically designed as a chelating shampoo.
When citric acid is used in a shampoo, it’s used to adjust pH and may have no impact on minerals in your hair. It’s less gentle because it’s acidic.
Chelating shampoos are much more potent than clarifiers because they work below the surface of the hair shaft.
Clarifying shampoos are meant to remove build-up on the surface of the hair.
Chelating shampoos are also great for removing chlorine and salt build up from the hair. If you spend a lot of time swimming, using a chelating shampoo is the best way to get your hair back to feeling like you just stepped out of the salon.
Both shampoos are relatively strong and can compromise your hair with repeated use. So, make sure to follow up with a moisturizing conditioner or deep conditioner.
If you find these shampoos to be drying and continue to have chronic issues with hard water, purchase a water-softener or water-filtration system which may benefit your hair in the long run.
If you live in an apartment, obviously you will not be able to install a water softener or filtration system, but here’s a mineral filter shower head that I swear by. I own two of them (one for each bathroom) and absolutely love them.
It softens hard water, which benefits not only the health of your hair and scalp but also your skin.
It will boost your water pressure like no one’s business. It’s like taking a shower at the spa! It’s so invigorating.
– Wet your hair and apply the chelating shampoo, massaging it into your scalp and hair.
– Leave the shampoo on for about three minutes before rinsing it out.
– Repeat this process until you see improvement.
-Use chelating shampoo approximately once a month (or as needed) to keep the minerals at bay.
You should use a chelating shampoo if you have any of the following issues:
Chelating shampoos are not meant for everyday use and should only be used when needed.
To avoid drying out your hair, you should limit chelating shampoos to no more than two times per month.
Once your chelating shampoo has removed the minerals from your hair you will want to switch back to a regular shampoo so as not to strip your hair of all of its natural oils.
This is a popular choice among many salons. It’s also very gentle, making it a good choice for those with sensitive scalps.
This shampoo is specifically designed to remove minerals and chlorine from hair.
This shampoo is designed to remove build-up, including hard water minerals. It also brightens highlights, bleached, or gray hair.
This is another popular choice among those with hard water issues. This is a vegan formula and my favorite! It helps to remove minerals, chlorine, and salt from the hair.
This shampoo uses plant extracts to help remove minerals and chlorine from the hair.
This shampoo is designed to remove all traces of chlorine, salt water, and hard water from the hair. It also contains keratin to help strengthen the hair.
This shampoo helps remove chlorine, minerals, hard water deposits, and chlorine from hair. Its non-stripping citrus extracts break down and remove build-up without depleting curls’ essential moisture.
This shampoo helps keep hair from turning “chlorine green” and helps removes chlorine, minerals and build up.
This is a popular choice among swimmers. It helps to remove chlorine and other chemicals from the hair.
Yes, they are good for your hair, however, chelating shampoos are not meant for everyday use and should only be used when needed.
No, not if you are using it as directed. Chelating shampoos are very strong and should only be used when your hair needs the extra cleaning power.
No, you should only use a chelating shampoo once or twice a month.
Yes, you can safely use chelating shampoo on color-treated hair. Read and follow the directions carefully.
No, chelating shampoos will not strip your hair of its natural oils. In fact, they will help to remove any unwanted build-up, which can actually make your hair look and feel healthier.
Yes, you can use a chelating shampoo on both your natural hair and extensions. Follow the directions carefully to ensure the best results.
Vinegar may chelate minerals somewhat differently than citric acid or EDTA, but I would not rely on it alone.
Chelating shampoos will not remove toner from your hair. They are designed to remove minerals and other build-up.
It varies depending on the chelating shampoo. However, you should not expect immediate results. Most products recommend leaving them in for at least five minutes.
You may be thinking, “That’s it?” Well, the answer is yes! That was a short and sweet blog post about chelating shampoos.
We hope that this article has helped you figure out what a chelating shampoo is, when to use it, and what the benefits are.
If this article helped you, please share with it your friends who also may need to hear this!
Thanks again and see ya next time!
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