When your curls look less than curly, the shine less than shiny, the bounce less than bouncy and your staple products stop working only to have dandruff-like particles appear on your hair and scalp – you’re probably a victim of product buildup!

Product build up is a common affliction for product-junkie curlies who may use cocktails of three or four products at a time to define curls, combat frizz and soften dry hair. But sometimes the products that feel the best on the hair may be the worst buildup culprits. In some instances, heavy silicones may initially make the hair shiny and soft, however they could coat the hair, preventing products from penetrating the hair. The hair may even get dryer and duller causing buildup to suffocate and dehydrate the hair. Often when you get product buildup, you can’t get the ingredients that work into the hair. Products just sit on the surface and even the best moisturizers in the world and they won’t make any difference. The best solution for buildup is to prevent it in the first place. Below are some helpful tips to guide you in the right direction:

• Always apply product at hair ends and work up to the root. This will help to make sure that your scalp does not get coated with product. The scalp will create oils to lift product away.
• Spray hairsprays at least 12 inches away from the scalp.
• Style with a gel, mousse or cream. Hairsprays should always be the last step. Keep your hands out of your hair after using a spray.
• Use less product. If you properly emulsify a product in your palms before you apply it to your hair, you will use less product and get more even distribution.
• Look for products that offer both conditioning and hold. Many offer both conditioning and styling. You will not need to use as many products and will save time and money.
• Beware of conditioners with wax as the main ingredient. The hair will look beautiful at first, but eventually a dull coating will build up. If you doubt this, run the blade of a pair of scissors over fresh-washed and conditioned hair. If you get a film on your blade then your conditioner contains too much wax.
• Use a product that controls humidity. This will help you resist the temptation to reapply hairspray throughout the day to “fix” your hair.
• Be sure to rinse shampoos and conditioners out of your hair. The biggest cause of buildup is failure to properly rinse out their hair. If you wash your hair in the sink, make sure that you rinse the product out of the ends. Long hair resting at the bottom of the basin may never get thoroughly rinsed.