Can You Use Neutralizing Shampoo Anytime?

When your hair has been chemically treated, either by relaxing, perming, dyeing, or bleaching, it is critical that you take extra care of your freshly colored strands.

And there is one thing you should do, but many people overlook, which is to  apply a neutralizing shampoo.

The neutralizing shampoo is known for its many benefits for treated hair, but can you use neutralizing shampoo anytime? In today’s post, we will go over this topic briefly. So if you want to learn more about it, let’s get started!

What Is A Neutralizing Shampoo?

The neutralizing shampoos, which are also called counterbalancing shampoos, are essentially a product with a composition that returns the pH balance of your hair and scalp to normal levels. 

In addition to restoring the hair’s natural pH balance, this shampoo also assists in deep cleaning. 

It thoroughly cleans your scalp, eliminates the majority of chemicals from the roots, seals the hair cuticles, protects the hair from further damage, and maintains it in good shape.

Most neutralizing shampoos have a hue-changing lather that lets you know if any chemicals are left in the hair.

Can You Use Neutralizing Shampoo Anytime?

The neutralizing shampoo helps balance moisture for both the hair and the scalp, rather than just the hair or the scalp separately. Additionally, high pH has a detrimental effect on hair and scalp. Therefore, it is necessary to use a neutralizing shampoo to balance it.

However, because neutralizing shampoo has a higher acidity and cleaning capabilities than conventional shampoo, it should only be used on alkaline hair, which means hair that has been chemically treated.

In addition, remember not to use it on a daily basis. If you utilize them too regularly, they will significantly reduce the pH of your hair and scalp. And, without a doubt, it will bring more harm than good to your hair.

See also: The Best pH-Balanced Shampoos And Conditioners For Alkaline Hair

Is It Required To Use Neutralizing Shampoo After Dyeing Your Hair?

If you got your hair dyed at a hair salon, your stylist most likely recommended a neutralizing shampoo treatment, which is a good idea. 

The reason is that this shampoo helps restore the hair’s natural pH balance, that is why it is a vital step in maintaining your hair health.

In addition, it also helps remove any excess remnants of the chemicals utilized, as well as prevent overprocessing.

A lot of individuals ignore the neutralizing shampoo procedure. When they get the hair color they like, all logic goes out the window, and all attention is focused on the hue and the joy of new locks!

However, utilizing a neutralizing shampoo after dyeing your hair should not be considered a luxury. Instead, it should be your main priority, particularly if you enjoy the appearance and feel of healthy, lustrous hair.

Can You Use Neutralizing Shampoo After Having Your Hair Bleached?

Like after the dyeing treatment, you can definitely utilize the neutralizing shampoo after having your hair bleached.

Bleach is known as a technique that removes all pigments from the hair, both natural and artificial, using bleaching agents.

Bleaching begins with very alkaline chemical compounds. They help open your hair cuticles, allowing other oxidative components to get deep into the hair cortex as well as break down the melanin, which is essential for the natural color of your hair.

Because of the extensive usage of extremely alkaline components, the pH of the hair and scalp rises. As a result, it is recommended to apply a neutralizer after bleaching. 

The purpose of using neutralizing shampoo after bleaching is to remove any lingering chemical residue. Because this shampoo is more acidic than conventional shampoo, it will totally remove the alkalinity of bleach, preventing the chemical reaction from continuing.

Can You Use Neutralizing Shampoo The Same As Regular Shampoo?

To tell the truth, neutralizing shampoo and regular shampoo are different and should not be used in the same way.

Regular shampoo does not have an excessively low or excessively high pH; therefore, regular use has little effect on the hair’s pH.

Neutralizing, on the other hand, affects the pH of your hair. As a result, it should not be used in place of regular shampoo.

Moreover, unlike regular shampoos, which simply remove debris and product from your hair, neutralizing shampoos strive to restore the hair’s natural pH level. Low pH chemicals are used in the formulations of this shampoo as well.

Once those chemicals with low pH levels react with the strong alkaline remnant of the perm, relaxer, color, or bleach, the outcome is neutralized hair, which aids in the promotion of healthy hair and scalp development.

Furthermore, when compared to normal shampoos, neutralizing shampoos cleans better. They function as clarifying shampoos and, thus, should not be utilized on a daily basis. Otherwise, they may cause your hair to get dry.

This also indicates that a neutralizing shampoo should not be used in place of regular shampoo. 

Only when you have had your hair chemically processed should you use it. Otherwise, go for a pH-balanced sulfate-free shampoo as well as a conditioner.

See also: Can You Use Neutralizing Shampoo Without a Relaxer?

Can You Get Rid Of Dandruff With A Neutralizing Shampoo?

Definitely, you can eliminate dandruff with a neutralizing shampoo. Despite the fact that the major purpose of using neutralizing shampoo is to restore the average pH level of the scalp and hair, it is still a kind of shampoo. 

Thus, without a doubt, neutralizing shampoos may thoroughly clean both scalp and hair. You may quickly remove dandruff and other hair pollutants by using them.

Just remember to avoid using them too frequently. Otherwise, your hair may become excessively dry and brittle.

Related: The Best Dandruff Shampoos For African-American Hair

What Occurs If You Let Perm Neutralizer Stay On For An Extended Time?

Perms, like permanent curls, are a hairstyle in which waves are formed artificially in the hair strands with the use of heat and chemical methods.

Chemicals with a high pH are employed in the perm technique to disrupt the disulfide bonds in your hair.

For this reason, your scalp’s normal pH level is damaged. After a perm, neutralizers are employed to restore your scalp’s normal pH. They will be to restore the ideal pH and get rid of any excess chemicals, as well as do a thorough cleaning.

The perm neutralizer, on the other hand, is overly acidic. If you use it too frequently or leave it on your scalp for much too long, the scalp may get dry.

Even worse, it can induce hair breakage, damage hair roots, and possibly cause significant hair loss.

Related: What Happens If You Leave Shampoo In Your Hair?

Is Neutralizing The Same As Clarifying Shampoos?

In fact, chelating shampoos frequently contribute to confusion. Nonetheless, these three must not be confused. Although they may appear to be extremely similar, they each serve vastly different functions.

The two shampoos, neutralizing and clarifying, are not interchangeable. Both are created for various reasons and have different chemical compositions.

Neutralizing shampoos include highly acidic chemicals. Their pH level is low. They are most appropriate for relaxed, colored, bleached hair and hair that has undergone chemically similar treatments. 

Their primary purpose is to neutralize alkali chemicals utilized in these treatments and restore the scalp’s pH to the balance level.

The neutralizing shampoos clean deeply as well. They effectively eliminate excess chemicals out of your inner hair root, allowing you to reclaim healthy strands of hair.

Likewise, clarifying shampoos are made entirely of cleansing as well as nourishing ingredients. They softly but thoroughly wash your scalp, promoting strong hair and healthy scalp.

Clarifying shampoo, unlike neutralizer, cannot help maintain the pH of the hair and scalp. That is the primary distinction between these two shampoos.

What To Consider Before Buying A Neutralizing Shampoo?

Whether you choose a good shampoo or not will affect the final results. So, consider the following things before making a purchase:

Nourishing components

If you are seeking a neutralizing shampoo, it is likely that your hair has most certainly been treated in some way. In this circumstance, your hair is still weak and requires nourishment. Hence, opt for nutrients that will nourish the hair.

Ingredients rich in fatty and amino acids, vitamins, and proteins are beneficial to your hair. Avocado, shea, olive, argan, and coconut are some substances that can undoubtedly improve your hair.

The capacity to restore your hair’s PH balance

The pH levels of hair should be kept between 3.5 and 4.5 for good health. With a pH balance of 5.5 at a minimum, your scalp gets a little more leeway. After a chemical treatment, the pH balance of your hair exceeds 7. Some chemicals might even raise your hair’s pH level to 11! 

That alkalinity level should then be neutralized; therefore, the intensity of the shampoo actually determines its effectiveness.

The ability to remove any remaining chemical residues

A high-quality neutralizing shampoo ought to clean the hair and remove the residue of grise, grime, as well as other products. An imperfect wash is indicated by your hair still smelling other hair care products, the formation of flaking, dandruff, and an inconsistent texture or feel. 

All of these can be avoided if the neutralizing shampoo thoroughly cleans the hair.

Your expertise level’s user-friendly procedure

Not all kinds of shampoo are created equal. A few have extremely intricate instructions, whereas others are suitable for home usage. So, you will be good to go if you can strike the right mix between a DIY neutralizer and a hairstylist-approved solution.

Price

Check that the price of your product is reasonable concerning the advantages it promises and that it will be helpful to you. Before choosing one, do not forget to compare the prices of other popular products.

Still need help picking a good neutralizing shampoo? If yes, consider the Motions Pro Neutralizing Shampoo. This fantastic shampoo contains two extremely useful components for your hair.

Silk protein is one of them, which improves the gloss of your hair and allows it to retain moisture for longer periods of time. Also, silk protein improves the suppleness of your hair, preventing breaking.

Another ingredient is Monoi oil, which aids in sealing the cuticles, resulting in lustrous, silky hair. This ingredient considerably helps reduce frizz.

To learn more about the importance of neutralizing shampoo, you can watch this video:

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you rinse the neutralizing shampoo out?

Neutralizers are applied immediately following chemical treatments. This kind of product helps restore the hair’s pH level depleted during a chemical treatment. 

After using it, simply rinsing away is sufficient to remove all neutralizers from your scalp. 

What can replace neutralizing shampoo?

There are various neutralizing shampoo substitutes, with both synthetic and natural options.

• Apple cider vinegar: The PH of apple cider vinegar is naturally acidic. Thus, it can neutralize the PH of the hair when you rinse it after applying shampoo, leaving it smooth and easy to detangle. Also, it can aid in the deep cleaning of your hair and keeping the right pH balance on your scalp.

• Baking soda: It is a wonderful cleanser for your scalp and hair due to its alkaline pH. It also cleans your scalp by eliminating dirt and buildup. Yet, if diluted or handled improperly, it can easily disrupt the scalp’s pH balance and damage your hair.

What occurs if you don’t use neutralizing shampoo?

Neutralizing shampoo is designed to balance pH and eliminate residual chemical residue from all chemical hair types.

If you do not use a neutralizing shampoo to restore the hair’s pH balance after treatment, the raised pH will cause the hair and scalp to dry, resulting in scalp illnesses. In addition, high pH also increases the negative charge, resulting in higher friction and, as a result, easy hair breakage.

Final Words

The neutralizing shampoo is great for reversing hair damage caused by hair products and styling, as well as restoring your hair’s natural chemical balance. That is the reason why many hairdressers recommend using it. 

Unfortunately, this does not imply that you can use it whenever you want. Just use a neutralizing shampoo to cleanse your scalp once or twice a week, particularly after color treatment, for the greatest results. It will assist you in getting rid of chemicals, locking moisture, controlling frizz, and protecting the hair color.