Which of the following questions most likely helps determine if a clarifying shampoo or treatment is needed for a client?

Determining whether a clarifying shampoo or treatment is necessary for a client involves understanding the products that have been applied to their hair recently. When clients use natural non-professional treatments, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or shea butter, these products can build up on the hair over time, potentially leading to a buildup that weighs the hair down and affects its health and appearance.

Clarifying shampoos are designed to remove such buildup, effectively cleansing the hair of residues that regular shampoos might not eliminate. By asking this specific question, the stylist can assess the extent of product buildup and decide whether a clarifying treatment is warranted.

While questions about oil-based treatments, heat styling tools, and hair coloring are relevant to a client's hair care routine, they do not directly indicate the need for a clarifying treatment as closely as inquiries about the use of natural oils and treatments. Natural oils tend to accumulate and lead to buildup more quickly than other treatments might.