“If you want to keep your hair moisturized, give up shampoo!” I can’t say how many times I have heard that line.
In the natural community it seems like more and more brown girls are adopting the Curly Girl Method that was founded by Lorraine Massey.
If you’re a newly natural and maybe have never heard of this method, it basically consists of completely eliminating shampoo from your hair care regimen and solely relying on co-washing or washing with conditioner.
My major issue with this method is how do you get your scalp clean?! As someone who is prone to a flaky scalp it seems like co-washing just won’t get it.
Don’t get me wrong I will co-wash occasionally to avoid over drying, for instance, if I feel like my hair needs a mid-week wash. But when doing this the only key for attempting to clarify my scalp is to do an apple cider vinegar* wash prior to co-washing.
Although cleansing co-washes are formulated to relieve product build up, I feel like it doesn’t reach my scalp as much as I desire.
As for testing moisture retention, I did try going shampoo-free for a month to see if there was a noticeable difference in the appearance of my hair. Guess what?! No change!
For those who are unsure whether to do the no-poo method or to continue using it, keep in mind positive hair maintenance.
Nothing is wrong with shampoo use but just be smart about your choices. Consider sulfate-free shampoos because sulfates, like sodium laureth sulfate for example, are responsible for the lather of a shampoo. This detergent is what ultimately dries out the hair shaft and the scalp leaving you with dry, brittle hair.
Also you want to be sure to always follow up with a deep conditioner* and rinse with cool water to close the cuticles of your hair shafts to retain moisture.
Just because you’re natural doesn’t mean you have to give up shampoo! And I for one will definitely keep it in my regimen.
Do you still use shampoo? And if so, would you ever give it up to rely solely on co-washing?
Following the Curly Girl Method doesn’t “require” that you use only conditioner to cleanse your hair, however, you can choose to do so.. If it was forbidden then why would Deva sell low poo? Ingredients Aqueous Extracts of: Achilea Millefolium, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria), Cymbopogon Schoenanthus, Humulus Lupulus (Hops), Melissa Offcinalis (Balm Mint), Rosmarinus Offcinalis (Rosemary), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, PEG-75 Lanolin, PEG-40 .
What is calls for is the elimination of sulfate shampoos. I have been CG for years and I use a sulfate free shampoo once a week that has Cocamidopropyl Betaine which is a great cleansing agent.
I mostly co wash weekly, but I still use a sulfate-free shampoo. I love using CURLS creamy shampoo. It doesn’t lather and it does cleanse my hair. Sometimes I use the ACV rinse to start from a clean slate as well