African American Hair Care: Co-washing
What is Co-washing? Co-washing hair means to use conditioner instead of shampoo to wash hair. One would think that skipping the shampoo step when washing hair would leave it dirty, but the truth is that there is a small amount of detergent in hair conditioner.
How do You Co-Wash Hair: To co-wash hair, you would wet your hair in the same way as you do before you wash it with shampoo. Then you need to massage a liberal amount of conditioner into the scalp. Massage the scalp for several minutes. Next, you would put a plastic cap on your hair and take your shower while you let the conditioner sit. Finally, rinse out the conditioner thoroughly.
What kind of conditioner should you use: According the every suggestion that I read on co-washing, cheap conditioner that costs only $1.00 a bottle will do just fine. Recommended brands include Suave and VO5.
How often should you co-wash your hair? Some people report co-washing their hair on a daily basis and styling hair while wet into an afro, or and Afro puff. Others report co-washing hair two or three times a week. People with very thick and long hair that takes hours to dry, co-wash their hair only once a week.
Should people who co-wash ever use shampoo. Shampoo should be used once every three of four washes. For people who co-wash their hair on a daily basis, shampoo should be used once a week. The reason for using shampoo occasionally is to remove any build up from the conditioner.
Does co-washing really make hair more manageable? I did have an accidental experiment with co-washing hair. My teenage son has the kind of hair that most African American Women would kill for. A few months ago, for several weeks in a row I sent him to wash his hair saying only, please use conditioner. Around the third wash, I realized his hair had become very soft. I asked him what he had done differently and he replied, "I washed my hair with conditioner". He had followed my instructions to the word and only used conditioner. Therefore, my accidental trial showed that co-washing hair could make hair softer and more manageable. I am currently trying it out myself, co-washing my hair every other day. My medium length natural hair is easier to style while still wet.
Published by A. Hermitt
Andrea Hermitt is an artist by nature and an educator by necessity. As a homeschooling mom of 10 years, she stays current in all things educational, and cutting edge to help her homeschool her children, and... View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentI just did the big chop and went natural about a 3 weeks ago. I've been trying different products out. I have very thick and coarse hair and was having a hard time defining my natural curls. I found some Burt's Bees More Moisture line of shampoo and conditioner at a store on clearance and decided to give it at try. I cowash my hair every other day with the conditioner and massage my scalp well while in the shower, then I dry it with a terry cloth twisty towel like thingy while I get dressed and do my makeup. My hair is extremely curly once I remove the towel. Since cowashing, the softness of my hair has greatly improved.
If you use a quality, non-silicone conditioner, there is no need to shampoo once a week. The reason conditioner cleanses your hair is because it is the friction of rubbing the scalp that removes the debris. Also, you don't need to add a plastic cap to you hair. I've been cowashing for over 4 years. Shampoo is truly not needed.
I heard that co-washing was really bad for you. I was looking at Lisa Akbari's website, she is a trichologist who studies the hair and scalp....pretty cool, and they say that conditioning the hair without shampooing causes negative buildup. is this true???i found some pretty interesting things on the site too...she has natural hair and is going to relax her natural hair to show us how to take care of our straight hair...i dont think i could do that as an experiment, but i'm goin to see how it turns out. this is it
http://www.lisaakbari.com/The_Big_Relax
I am a co-washer and co wash my sons hair. I will disagree with you on the point that you made about using shampoo. A true co-washer doesn't use shampoo for build up unless it's NEEDED we use baking soda or something else organic to rid of build up.
Sakiyna... his hair is kinky like most African Americans... it is also very thick and shiny and grows quickly.
I'm curious as to what type of hair your son has that most of us women would kill for. but other than that i would agree that co washing does make your hair really soft. My hair has been natural for a couple of years now and co washing with conditioner does the trick every time.
I agree and thanks for the help.
but i disagree with this part: My teenage son has the kind of hair that most African American Women would kill for.
i don't think or hope you didn't say this generally, but i love myy hair and so do many African American females i know, so this was kind of offensive, although you said most.
Great article....i dont know about the comment about ur sons hair kinda lost me there but thankx 4 the tips
i think this actually may help my hair.
Your teen has hair African American women would die for? I wonder what type of
hair he has. Interesting.