HEY CURLY GIRLS, LET'S TALK: Co-Wash or Not?

Hello curly girls! I am back with another installment of Hey Curly Girls, Let's Talk and today it is going be be all about co-washing.

So lets get started.

Photo courtesy of Walmart.com

First off, this technique gained momentum and popularity with the release of Lorraine Massey's The Curly Girl Handbook which spawned the Curly Girl Method or No-Poo method. This method focuses on using conditioner to cleanse your hair instead of shampoo because shampoo can strip the hair of natural basic oils. Textured hair tends to be drier because these oils cannot make it all the way down to the ends.

Co- washing is short for "conditioner washing". Since all conditioners contain some gentle cleansing agents it is possible to wash your hair with conditioner.

Co-washing can definitely be beneficial to hair especially if you have textured or curly hair.

1. Co-washing will not strip your hair of its natural oils.

2. Assuming you are using a silicone free conditioner your hair will not be damaged or dried out form co-washing.

3. You do not need to be married to co-washing. Which means you can use a conditioner or a shampoo whenever you like.

4. If you have drier or damaged hair co-washing will give your hair extra moisture while cleansing it.

While there are obvious benefits to co-washing, it is not for everyone.

1. If you have dermatitis which is the inflammation of the scalp then co-washing may not work for you because constant conditioning may make it worse

2. If you have oily hair then co-washing will only add to the oil in your hair.

3. If you live in a dusty or highly polluted area you should use shampoo to cleanse your hair and condition afterwards.

4. It is possible to over condition your hair which is not good. If your hair starts to feel mushy and/or spongy you may have done too much.

As you can see co-washing has it's advantages and disadvantages. It could not hurt to try especially if you do have dry, damaged hair and you are looking for a way to make it healthier.

If you are in that transition stage I recommend that you give co-washing a chance for the first year that you are in transition.

Personally I do not co-wash simply because I do not feel like it gets my hair really clean. I understand that conditioners do have gentle cleansers but for me it is just a feeling that I do not like. So it is really all about preference.

Here are some guidelines if you do want to try co-washing:

1. Make sure the conditioner has no silicones. Stay away from ingredients ending in -cone.

2. Apply the conditioner to your scalp and gently massage with your fingers, not your fingernails. This will loosen up the dirt.

3. When you rinse your hair use cold water. The will close your hair follicles and prevent frizz.

4. Make sure you do not over condition your hair.

Well guys that is it for this post!

What do you think about co-washing? Let me know in the comments!

Be safe and I will see you in my next post!