If you email me about having dry hair, one of my recommendations will most definitly be to co wash more often. Do you know why? Well, the most obvious reason is that most conditioners are water based and water is exactly what your hair needs when it is dry.
In addition to water, the conditioner might have other additives that can keep your hair healthy throughout the week and can help your hair maintain it’s moisture levels.
In addition to just getting a great dose of moisture, there are some women who strictly cowash* because for them cleansing with shampoo is much too harsh for their strands. Additionally if you practice the Curly Girl Method for your regimen then you know that having a co washing regimen is a must.
The method dictates that you either use conditioner or a cowash* cleanser to cleanse your hair so that you can always maintain moisture in your curly kinky* hair.
Now believe it or not even though co washing might be an easy and effective means of keeping your hair moisturized, it isn’t for everyone. By extension, the Curly girl method isn’t for everyone either, here are 5 types of naturals who know for a fact co-washing is not for them.
Naturals with scalp conditions
Washing your hair is not just about giving it moisture, cleaning your scalp is just as important if not more important than how much moisture your hair has.
Many scalp conditions such as dandruff, psoriasis and eczema cannot be alleviated if your scalp isn’t clean so cleansing regularly and efficiently is a must.
Your dermatologist might suggest a medicated shampoo or you may find that keeping your scalp free of buildup with the use of regular shampoo is your only saving grace. Co washing would only be a waste of time and quite frankly might only exacerbate your scalp issues.
Naturals who swim
If you swim and swim often, chlorine might be more of an issue for you and co washing as a means of cleansing your strands will be as far fetched as getting a relaxer again.
Most of us who swim for exercise or even just for recreation will find that we have to invest in swimming shampoos that not only cleanses the hair but gives your hair a deeper cleanse removing chlorine and other chemicals.
These shampoos have sulfates and when your use them we definitly recommend following up with a deep conditioner* that is moisture based.
A swimmers regimen might be a bit more involved in comparison to a non swimmer but if you want to keep your hair and scalp healthy you just have to do what you have to do. Co washing as the sole means of cleansing your hair might not be an option for you.
I thought it was just me but I’m natural and it just don’t works for me ether!
What does co-washing exactly mean?
Washing with a conditioner instead of shampoo
Thank you!
I like co-washing every weekend before deep conditioning, makes my hair soft and my hair doesn’t shed too much.
Tia Boo Washing with conditioner only or a product that’s made just for cowashing which will have a mild cleaning agent in it
Okay, thank you!
Not for me it did absolutely nothing but made my hair feel dirtier
Is not for me either
my hair doesn’t feel clean with cowashing.
Never understood this concept. Can’t you just use a moisturizing conditioner after or oils to counter act the stripping some shampoos do?
I always thought the same thing. Or use and all natural shampoo
I co wash weekly. I only shampoo my hair once a month because co washing has been the best for me.
I found that when I cowash Wednesday and Sunday of each week my hair responds well. I only use shampoo once a month.
I can was or cowash…as long as I wash at least 1-2 times a week
I cowashed for the first time on Friday and my hair is super dry. I’m shocked but I guess it’s not for me.
Hello Andrea! What kind of conditioner did you use for cowashing? The ingredients most likely are the problem and may be causing the drying. Every conditioner is not created equal for cowashing our hair and that should be said when people are promoting using conditioners for cowashing. We have naturally drier hair and it doesn’t need anything that will dry it out more unless it is used for removing buildup that just want come off the hair like some silicones. I know some people use Herbal Essence, Suave, and a few others for cowashing but I have decided so far not to use any of those because the ingredients say a lot to me and I already know my hair is not having it. Learning how ingredients are added to a product will take you a long way with your natural hair journey. You can find articles on CurlyNikki and a few other black hair groups about the order of ingredients and what their benefits are. I only use cowashing conditioners that are strictly for cowashing like As I Am Coconut Cowash, Pantene Cowash, Shea Moisture Cowash and so on. My hair has never had a problem with any of these because the ingredients are perfect for my hair. Also, I still deep condition most of the time whether I shampoo or cowash. I hope this helps out some.
I love Cowashing! As I am coconut cowash is the best my hair feels cleaner with that then regular shampoo!
Sorry when you say you are coconut, what does that mean exactly?
Don’t worry about answering that, I’ve just found out that ‘As I am Coconut cowash’ is a hair product that we don’t have in the UK.
Sorry when you say you are coconut, what does that mean exactly?
Don’t worry about answering that, I’ve just found out that ‘As I am Coconut cowash’ is a hair product that we don’t have in the UK.
What works for some may not work for others.
I need to always shampoo first at least just the scalp
I thought you were talking bout showering with your spouse.
Lol!
My hair doesn’t feel clean after cowashing
I cowash plenty of times just to keep my hair from stripping of moisture, but my scalp had buildup