CO-WASHING DEBUNKED
If you have dry, curly, or natural hair – listen up!
Co-washing is a new trend in hair care that lots of ladies are swearing by. To be honest, the concept of co-washing has been around for a while, but only recently have companies and beauty bloggers put a name to this practice. I’ll admit that this is not for absolutely everyone.
With that said, if you want to make your ultra-curly hair feel healthier and more hydrated, you’re going to want to pay attention.
In this post, we’ll talk about exactly what co-washing is, how it works, and if you’re someone who should consider incorporating this into their hair-care routine.
WHAT IS CO-WASHING?
Quite simply, “Co-Washing” is shorthand for “Conditioner-Only Washing.” That means ditching your shampoo completely and cleansing your hair using only a conditioner.
There have been rumors going around the internet for a while now that consistently shampooing your hair can be doing more harm than good. Still, the idea that you should be working conditioner into your roots goes against everything most of us were originally taught about hair care.
However many ladies with natural waves or curls say co-washing is the best thing they have ever done for their hair.
HOW DOES CO-WASHING WORK?
Curly and natural hair needs way more moisture than the average head of hair. That’s where co-washing comes in. It promises to fully hydrate your hair without shampoo stripping away the “good” oils on your scalp every time you step into the shower.
Even professional stylists back up this claim. They say that co-washing allows conditioners to work together with your scalp’s natural oils and can leave your hair feeling “smoother and silkier than usual.”
If you have oily roots, this can somewhat of a hard pill to swallow. It’s only natural to assume that ditching shampoo altogether will leave your hair looking like a greasy, sloppy mess.
But people who swear by this technique say that greasy hair is a non-issue….at least after a while. In all honesty, your scalp is used to producing a certain amount of oils.
So at the start of this process, you may notice your roots looking a little greasier than usual. After about a month, however, your body will eventually get used to this process and your hair will actually look less greasy between washes.
Those who have tried co-washing recommend dry shampoo to get yourself through the first month if you find yourself with exceptionally greasy roots.
Those who have been there before also recommend that co-washing beginners give this process at least 6-weeks before deciding whether or not it’s for them. That way, your scalp has time to regulate its oil production process, allowing you to see results.
WHO SHOULD TRY CO-WASHING?
Co-Washing is especially recommended for women with curly, wavy, or natural hair. The tighter your ringlets, the more co-washing is recommended.
The stylist also agrees that this technique is perfectly appropriate for anyone with color-treated hair. Shampoos are notorious for stripping color off of your strands. Co-washing, however, is much gentler and will make your hair color glossier and more vibrant.
WHO SHOULD AVOID CO-WASHING?
Co-Washing is a no-go for anyone with thin, fine, or straight hair. If your hair is only slightly wavy, this technique is also probably not for you.
Experts also recommend that anyone with a condition known as “seborrheic dermatitis” should stay away from only using a conditioner. It can actually make the symptoms of this medical condition much, much worse.
WHICH PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE?
If you’ve decided you want to try only conditioning your hair, the product you use is of the utmost importance. Some conditioners are better than others at breaking down dirt and cleansing your scalp.
As a rule, look for conditioners that are lightweight and won’t cause buildup within your hair. Heavy, creamy conditioners are great when you need to balance out the damage done by shampoo.
But when you’re only using a conditioner, a lighter is always better. As always, I also recommend using products that are sulfate-free and boast all-natural ingredients.
Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture – Hella Drenched Hydration Cream Co-Wash
This lightweight formula is full of vitamins and minerals that your dry strands are craving. It promises to give your hair all the moisture you need from root to tip.
Not only is this vegan product free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates – it’s also enriched with Peach Nectar so it smells equally amazing.
DevaCurl – No-Poo Original Zero Lather Conditioning Cleanser
This conditioner from the brand DevaCurl was designed specifically for use during co-washing sessions. Lightweight but also incredibly creamy, it will moisturize every single strand of hair while also enhancing curls and keeping them frizz-free.
Infused with natural ingredients like Grapeseed Oil and Peppermint, it promises bouncier curls in no time.
Shea Moisture – Coconut & Hibiscus Co-Wash Conditioning Cleanser
This product is a little bit heavier and richer, making it ideal for anyone with extra-dry, extra-curly, or color-treated hair.
It’s made of all-natural ingredients and will make your curls stronger, reduce frizz, and detangle your strands so that combing through them afterward is a breeze
MOROCCANOIL – Clarifying Shampoo
I know that this process seems like a “shampoo-free” one. However, some dirt and build-up is going to occur over time.
Hair-care experts recommend investing in an all-natural clarifying shampoo and using it approximately once a month. That will get rid of any excess dirt and grime without interfering with your regular co-washing routine
CO-WASHING – A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
There’s a little more that goes into co-washing than just slapping conditioner on your head and calling it a day. In fact, there are a few extra steps you should take to ensure you’re cleaning your scalp thoroughly.
Here is a step-by-step guide to co-washing so you can get the process down-path the very first time.
- STEP ONE – SOAK
This might seem like a no-brainer, but your hair has to be wet for this process to work.
And I mean soaking wet. When you get into the shower, allow your hair to sit under the stream of water for a few minutes so that any dirt or debris that might be present can loosen up and wash away on its own.
- STEP TWO – CONDITION
When it comes to co-washing, don’t be surprised if you need to use more conditioner than you ever have before.
If you were just using conditioners to coat the ends, you’ll want to at least double the amount you’re used to using. Remember, this product is doing the job of both shampoo and conditioner, meaning you’ll need plenty of product to get the job done.
- STEP THREE – MASSAGE YOUR SCALP
While applying conditioner to your hair, it’s very important that you properly massage your scalp. This will distribute the conditioner evenly through your roots while also breaking down excess oils and loosening up any excess dirt.
Try to massage your scalp for at least a minute to ensure you’re doing a thorough job. Then – after making sure your hair is thoroughly coated from root to tip – let it sit on your hair for 3-5 minutes before rinsing.
- STEP FOUR – RINSE THOROUGHLY
The conditioner you use will be saturating every single strand. Before exiting the shower, you’ll want to ensure that every bit of product you massaged in is completely rinsed out.
This might seem like a trivial step, but it’s actually really important. If you’re leaving traces of conditioner in your hair it can eventually build up and cause a film to form on your hair.
- STEP FIVE – DETANGLE
Once your step out of the shower, don’t let your hair dry in a clump. Using a special detangling brush, be sure to comb through your strands so they are separated.
This should be especially easy after co-washing because your hair will be properly moisturized. After you’ve detangled your wet strands, feel free to style as usual and start enjoying your beautiful, hydrated curls.
