{"id":11903,"date":"2024-01-28T08:19:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-28T08:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/haireveryday.com\/?p=11903"},"modified":"2024-01-29T18:24:01","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T18:24:01","slug":"what-is-co-washing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/haireveryday.com\/what-is-co-washing\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Co-Washing For Curly Hair: A Hairstylist Explains The “No Poo” Method"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is co-washing, is it only for curly hair, is using a co-wash good for hair growth and what are the best co wash products? Find out here!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In This Article:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. What Is Co-Washing Hair<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. How To Use Co-Wash on Hair<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Benefits Of Co-Washing Your Hair<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Co-Wash Vs Shampoo<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Can Co-Washing Be Bad For Hair: When To Skip It<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. FAQs about Co-Washing Curly Hair<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    I love catching up curly hair trends on Tiktok or Instagram as a hairstylist and cosmetologist. I’ve seen the curl community push the \u201cNo-Poo\u201d movement and co-wash a lot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you giggled reading the words \u201cNo-Poo\u201d, I don\u2019t blame you. But it simply means \u201cNo Shampoo\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In this method of caring for curly hair, you skip using a shampoo altogether and use something called a co-wash instead.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now what is a \u201cco-wash<\/a>\u201d you dare ask?\u00a0 Well, it\u2019s simply washing hair with conditioner.\u00a0 Conditioner + Washing = Co-Washing!\u00a0 But is this a good practice? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/span>What Is Co-Washing Hair<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"what<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Co-Washing can be simply defined as the act of washing your hair<\/a> with conditioner instead of a shampoo. And this doesn\u2019t mean you skip shampoo, rinse hair with only water <\/a>and directly proceed to applying conditioner on your ends.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No, co-washing entails actually \u201cwashing\u201d hair with conditioner. So you\u2019ll be applying it to your scalp as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And before you ask, you can use regular conditioners to co-wash hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But if you have an oily scalp and want a little more cleansing effect you should have a legit co-wash product that can remove dirt and debris from your scalp without the use of sulfates or any surfactants whatsoever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/span>How To Use Co-Wash on Hair<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    I first learned about co-washing hair while reading up on the Curly Girl Method and have wanted to give it a try ever since as I have 4a hair (coily, kinky hair texture) which is very prone to dryness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I soon found that co-washing hair<\/a> is just like shampooing. You only substitute one product for the other! But here are some tips that will help you do co-washing the right way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Make Sure Your Hair Is Sopping Wet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"co<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Unlike shampoos, co-wash products do not contain surfactants. So they will get activated only if you use a lot of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Also, making your hair sopping wet can help the product get absorbed better in the strands. It will, furthermore, loosen any debris or dirt on the scalp, making it easier for the co-wash to work its magic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you fully saturate your tresses with water, the co-wash also gets distributed easily through wet hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Massage The Co-Wash Into Your Scalp And Hair<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"what<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    You know all that sagely hair care wisdom that tells you NEVER to apply conditioner to your scalp? Well, you can forget all about that when it comes to co-washing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This is why I started using a proper co-wash like the Briogeo Curl Charisma Co-Wash<\/strong> (which BTW is a fantastic product by a black-owned brand).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A regular conditioner if applied to the scalp as co-wash can clog hair follicles and cause buildup and dandruff, but a co-wash will cleanse the area and not stick to your scalp.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \"co<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Co-washes are cream-based cleansers and will break down the dirt and grease on your scalp without drying it out and instead will moisturize hair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Think of it as an oil-based cleansing balm but for your hair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Rinse, Rinse, And Rinse Some More<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"co<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    At the end of the day, a co-wash is still a rich, moisturizing product. Too much of it isn\u2019t going to do you any good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So always rinse your hair thoroughly to get rid of any product residue. Pay special attention to your scalp as any buildup can really mess up your scalp\u2019s environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Always Clarify Hair And Scalp At Least Once A Month<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While co-washes have their benefits, a good thorough cleansing always brings out the best of my curls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019ve often found even the most well-formulated, silicone-free co-washes can buildup over a period of weeks and make it difficult for other products to get absorbed into hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And they also lessen my curl definition by weighing the strands down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So I started using a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove the product buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re still strictly anti-sulfates then you can try a more natural method of clarifying your hair such as using an apple cider vinegar rinse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \"benefits
    Source: Instagram@shopelyzian<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    <\/span>Benefits Of Co-Washing Your Hair<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The chief benefit of co-washing your hair is to add moisture to your curls and keep them hydrated. Curly and coily hair textures are more prone to breakage and frizz due to dryness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So substituting a shampoo (which can further remove hair\u2019s natural oils) to a co-wash which adds moisture to your strands can leave your curls softer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A co-wash also lacks harsh surfactants which lead to friction on hair, causing breakage. So you can detangle curly hair with a wet brush while in the shower as co-washing would have made hair really slippery and easy to comb thorough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/span>Co-Wash Vs Shampoo<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Co-Wash<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    A co-wash is basically a conditioner used to \u201cwash\u201d your hair. Unlike shampoo it doesn\u2019t contain either harsh surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate or milder surfactants like Cocamide Betaine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So it can remove some dirt and debris from the scalp but it won\u2019t strip hair of natural oils or grease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And unlike a shampoo, it will actually add more oils or emollients to your scalp and hair to keep them moisturized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/span>Can Co-Washing Be Bad For Hair: When To Skip It<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"co<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Co-washing seems amazing and also less time consuming than your regular shampoo session. So is it for everyone? Nope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I strongly suggest NOT trying co-washing if you have fine, straight hair. Even those with type 2 wavy hair should not co-wash except for maybe once a week or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These hair types do not get dry easily and do not require all the extra moisturization. You will simply be left with greasy, lanky hair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Also, even if you have curly hair, pay close attention to your scalp health before deciding to co-wash. If you have conditions like dermatitis or dandruff, co-washing might not be the best idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    Is co-wash better than shampoo?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    Co-wash is better than shampoo if you have curly hair<\/a> or coily, African American hair types. It is basically a cream cleanser that doesn\u2019t contain sulfates or surfactants of any kind unlike shampoos.\u00a0
    Co-washes cleanse hair to a certain extent and focus more on moisturizing it. However, if you have straight or slightly wavy hair, a co-wash can be too rich for your hair type and leave strands and scalp greasy. So for you a shampoo would be better.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    How often should I co-wash?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    I usually co-wash my hair 2-3 times a week and then follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse once a week to clarify my hair. This routine suits my hair type and curl pattern the best. But the number of times you co-wash hair should be tailored to your curls, scalp conditions and dryness of hair.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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    Is co-wash different from conditioner?<\/strong><\/div>\n
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    Yes. These are two different types of hair products. While you can technically use a regular conditioner as a co-wash, the vice versa isn\u2019t possible.\u00a0
    Co-washes are cream based cleansers that are formulated to both cleanse and moisturize your hair at the same time.
    So your everyday, wash-off conditioner can be used as co-wash. But a co-wash cannot be used in place of conditioner.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Can I co-wash with a regular conditioner?<\/strong><\/div>\n
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    Yes you actually can use a regular conditioner for co-washing hair, provided it\u2019s free of any silicones or parabens. Silicones can really clog your pores and cause buildup<\/a>. So using a silicone-based conditioner on your scalp is a huge no-no.
    But if you have an oily scalp along with curly hair, you might need a little extra cleansing power from a co-wash. In this case, a regular conditioner would be of no use, and you would require a co-wash product that can cleanse and moisturize at the same time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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    <\/span>Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest <\/a>has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures<\/em><\/strong>, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals <\/a>so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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