Co-washing, a popular suds-free method for cleansing hair, might be the answer to your dry hair woes.
If you are a member of thenatural haircommunity, chances are you are familiar with co-washing hair.
In short, co-washing means using conditioner instead of shampoo and falls somewhere between squeaky clean andsecond-day hair.
What Is Co-Washing?
Co-washing is short for “conditioner-only washing.”
It means skipping shampoo and relying solely on conditioner, whether you’re adaily or a weekly washer.
Most conditioners contain trace amounts of detergents called cationic surfactants, or “quats” for short.
At the same time, the conditioner contains, well, conditioners.
How Often Should You Co-Wash?
If your hair needs a good cleanse from product buildup, you should also co-wash.
Here are step-by-step directions for a smooth transition.
This also helps distribute the product evenly throughout the hair.
Squeeze out a generous amount of conditioner.
For some people, this can mean using as much as a golf-ball-size amount.
This may seem like a lot, but don’t forget that you’re cleansing, not just conditioning.
Massage conditioner into the scalp and distribute evenly through the ends.
Then allow the conditioner to be absorbed for three to five minutes.
If your hair is particularly dry or damaged, leave it in longer.
“It will act like a mask,” says Dean.
Rinse, dry, and style as usual.
You may discover that you need less styling product since the hair is less parched and more responsive.
Use a clarifying shampoo once every two to four weeks.
Buildupfrom sweat, stylers, or conditioneris inevitable, regardless of whether you shampoo or co-wash.
Experiment with how frequently you gotta clarify your hair.
In general, a once-a-month or twice-a-month wash will cure dullness without drying.
If your hair still feels weighed down after biweekly clarifying, alternate as needed between co-washing and shampooing.
This should yield the benefits of co-washing but with more volume.
Ideal Hair Types for Co-Washing
Not sure if you should completely ditch your shampoo for conditioner-only cleansing?
Below, experts share the best hair types suitable for co-washing.
In fact, legions of ringleted people have been washing with conditioner alone for years.
“Co-washing doesn’t strip strands of pigment the way traditional cleansing can,” says hairstylist Jen Atkin.
People with fine, straight hair should skip co-washing because their hair could get weighed down.
Those withan oily scalpor dermatitis should steer clear, too.
“Co-washing alone doesn’t effectively treat either condition,” says dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf.
Stick with your regular shampoo-then-condition routine to remove buildup and flakes.
Just avoid conditioners with silicones, such as dimethicone, in the ingredient list.
These are often added to conventional conditioners to smooth hair.
If you don’t shampoo daily, silicones can build up and weigh down your strands.
For hair types that aren’t as dehydrated, the addition of a conditioner may weigh hair down.
Therefore, shampoo is needed eventually.
Theingredients in shampooare also suited to cleanse the scalp, whereas co-washing does not.
As with any skincare or hair care treatment, introducing a new product should be done gradually overtime.
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