The Remedy For Healthy Hair: Chelating & Cleansing

Our hair and scalp can accrue build-up over time, not just clogged pores on our scalp, but also in our strands by absorbing hard deposits from the water, similar to that scaly kettle in your kitchen that creeps back after a few weeks. Fortunately, we have the solution for you: chelating and scalp cleansing. They sound similar, but they’re very different — and understanding the difference can mean the difference between dull colour that fades too quickly and rich, glossy strands that last.

What Is Chelating?

Chelating is all about removing those hard deposits from the hair strands. Primarily minerals, like calcium and magnesium, from hard water, which can lead to hair feeling dull and brittle. But also from metals like iron, copper, and manganese, which can also build up, causing hair discolouration and interfering with hair product results.

If you live in a hard water area, you’ll possibly know the struggle — minerals, metals, and even chlorine from swimming pools can cling to your strands. These deposits can create an extra barrier that can reduce the effectiveness of hair products and colour results. If you use chemical products, then a chelating wash uses ingredients like EDTA (a synthetic ingredient in clarifying shampoos). But obviously, we much prefer the natural methods, such as an apple cider vinegar rinse or a natural acid, which can bind to those minerals and lift them away.

When to chelate:

• Before applying natural hair dye, if you’ve been exposed to hard water or chlorine.

• If you want more intense and longer-lasting colour results.

• After swimming in chlorinated pools to keep your hair feeling soft.

• If your hair feels unusually stiff, dry, or resistant to treatments.

What Is Scalp Cleansing?

Scalp cleansing, on the other hand, focuses on the skin of your scalp—not the hair itself. Your scalp can build up layers of oils, dead skin cells, sweat, styling products, and even residues from natural treatments like masks and butters. Left unchecked, that buildup clogs follicles, slows growth, and makes it harder for treatments to work as effectively.

Scalp cleansing can be as simple as a gentle sugar scrub or a herbal rinse. We love to use our Scalp Serenade for keeping the scalp in tip-top condition. The goal here isn’t mineral removal but resetting the scalp to a clean, breathable state.

When to scalp cleanse:

• Regularly, 1-2 times per week, depending on how much product you use, how much you exercise (sweaty scalp), and how dirty your hair gets from your own lifestyle.

• Before any herbal dye or mask application.

• If your scalp feels itchy, flaky, greasy, or heavy.

Why You Need Both

Here’s the key: chelating works on your strands, and scalp cleansing works on your skin.  One doesn’t replace the other. If you only chelate, your scalp may still be congested, blocking healthy growth. If you only cleanse your scalp, minerals will still accumulate in your hair.

By pairing the two, even if not for every wash, you’re setting the perfect foundation: a clean scalp and mineral-free hair. This is the perfect combo for applying our natural hair dyes, clean and prepped to soak up colour, shine, and nourishment. Now, time to call your friends and tell them the good news, they'll thank you later!