The community is debating the need to limit the use of clarifying or chelating shampoos to a weekly or bi-monthly frequency, with some users suspecting that this is more of a marketing recommendation than a real technical necessity to avoid hair dryness.

noli's read

The distinction between these products is technically grounded: clarifying shampoos use powerful surfactants to dissolve surface residues (styling products, sebum), while chelating shampoos use specific agents like EDTA or citric acid to bind and neutralize metal ions from hard water. Research highlights that frequent use of aggressive surfactants can indeed alter the scalp's protective barrier and dry out the hair fiber, which justifies the manufacturers' warnings (Healthline, 2019; Ethique, 2025). Although some users may tolerate more frequent use depending on their water hardness or sebum production, the expert consensus recommends intermittent use to avoid excessive dehydration, as these agents do not always distinguish 'unwanted' minerals from trace elements essential to hair structure (Ruqinba, 2024; Tangieco, 2026). The community largely converges on the idea that the ideal frequency is personalized and depends on the actual level of buildup rather than a strict schedule, while acknowledging the risk of dryness associated with daily use.

the sources

1. 1r/HaircareScience