Is co-washing actually good for your hair?

co-washing

Co-washing can be wonderful for some hair types. It’s essentially the process of washing your hair using a conditioner instead of shampoo.  This technique is good for some women with textured hair because it helps to keep moisture locked in. I am classified as a “type 4” hair texture under the Naturally Curly hair typing system, so I can speak from experience on this one.

In many cases, the kinkier the texture the more challenging moisture retention can be. Hair dehydration is something that can affect any one of my clients with curly, kinky and coily hair. If your hair is fatigued, it will lead to breakage.  Therefore, co-washing may be exactly what you need to keep your curls popping all year long.

The most common co-wash routine for textured hair happens on a weekly basis.  In order to prevent breakage  I recommend that my clients use sulphate free, silicone free and paraben free hair care lines.  Shampoo is meant to cleanse the hair, but you do not want to in turn strip away all the precious natural oils that have allowed your hair to retain moisture that week.

So here’s where co-washing comes in handy.  If you use either a designated co-washing product or a plant based conditioner to massage your scalp and rehydrate your ends, more healthy oils will remain.  You can do this on a bi weekly basis. I do recommend doing a proper cleanse on a monthly basis to ensure your scalp does not get clogged up.  An effective shampoo is always important to use. Then add a hydrating conditioner can be left in the hair and layered for an extra punch of hydration as well.

Warning: co-washing is NOT for everyone.  If you have a scalp condition such as seborrheic dermatitis, co-washing could be ok every once in a while but if you do it consistently it can lead to build-up on your scalp that could worsen your condition.  Additionally, if you have very oily scalp then co-washing may weigh your hair down by adding extra oil to the hair.

Unfortunately, trial and error is the reality with trying something new.  See if you like it! Is your hair staying hydrated for longer periods of time? If so, you’ve found your new product solution.   Be sure to try your new routine for at least a month to really get a feel of the results.

Don’t forget to spritz your hair with some water throughout the week to keep that hair quenched ya’ll!

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Brandelyn Green is the Founder of VoiceOfHair, a platform to help women of color find the best hair care products, regimens and hairstyles! Since starting VoiceOfHair in 2014 she has grown the social media platform to over 1MM+ on Instagram and Facebook. As a natural who is also a salon goer, she wanted to create a platform where people could find the best products, hairstylists, advice and trends.
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