What is co-washing? You’ve probably come across this term in your pursuit for healthier hair. If you haven’t, no need to worry; we’ll explain… Co-washing is the process of “washing” hair using conditioner only. The term co-washing is the short form of conditioner-only washing. No shampoo is used.

Which Hair Type Is Suitable for Co-Washing?

Co-washing is best suited for types 2, 3, and 4 hair types. Think of wavy, curly, or coiled hair, including Afro-Caribbean hair. These hair types tend to benefit the most from the moisturizing and rejuvenating effects of co-washing.

Who Would Not Benefit from Co-Washing?

If you have straight or fine hair, co-washing is not for you since it weighs down the hair. You should also approach co-washing with caution if you are experiencing any scalp problems. If you still want to co-wash, identify the right conditioner first.

What Are the Advantages of Co-Washing?

If you’re still not sure whether you should try co-washing or not, take a look at its benefits below.

Saves Time and Money

Co-washing cuts down your hair washing routine by half, thus saving time. In addition, the cost of shampoo will no longer be a part of your budget. Co-washed hair is also more receptive to styling products. You’ll find yourself using fewer products than before and taking less time to achieve your desired hairstyle.

Keeps Your Hair Healthy

The role of a conditioner is to make hair softer and more manageable. It restores moisture to the hair thus reducing frizz. Moisturized hair also has good elasticity thus making it less prone to breakage. With this is in mind, washing your hair with conditioner allows you to enjoy all these benefits, without the harshness inflicted by commercial shampoos. If you have zig-zag or very tightly curled (type 4b or 4c) hair, co-washing will nourish your strands and keep them vibrant especially during winter.

Makes Styling Easy

Washing hair with shampoo temporarily interferes with the structure of the hair. Unless you’re using a genuine natural shampoo , washing your hair strips down oils that give curly and wavy hair its structure. As a result, squeaky clean hair can be a bit difficult to style after using a commercial sulphate-based shampoo. On the other hand, co-washed hair retains some oils making hair more receptive to styling. Waves and curls bounce back effortlessly with minimal product and manipulation. This is a win-win situation.

Reduces Shedding

Co-washing reduces tangles and knots in the hair. This reduces the amount of shedding and breakage when combing and styling hair. Less shedding reduces hair loss and promotes hair growth.

Promotes An Active Lifestyle

Women who actively hit the gym or have an active lifestyle in general benefit greatly from co-washing. This is because it gets rid of sweat and dirt without stripping the hair of all its healthy oils.

Reduces Salon Visits

If you have coloured hair and require regular visits to the salon for treatment, co-washing is for you. It keeps your hair healthy and moisturised. As a result, you are able to extend the time needed in between salon visits and even save some coins.

Which Products Should I Use to Co-Wash My Hair?

The only product you’ll need to co-wash your hair is conditioner. However, not all conditioners are made equal. Some are more effective than others depending on what you want to achieve as well as your hair needs. Let’s take a look at different types of conditioners and what they do.

Silicone Free Conditioner

As a start, you can use any conditioner you have at home. Just ensure that it is silicone-free. Silicone tends to build up on hair strands. This makes them heavy and dull over time. In addition to picking a silicone-free conditioner, you can also try organic conditioners . These have natural ingredients such as lavender and coconut which provide natural nourishment to your hair.

Cleansing Conditioner

Cleansing conditioners or co-wash conditioners are specifically made for co-washing. They contain natural cleaning agents which get activated when they get into contact with water. The good thing is that these cleaning agents are gentle on hair. You should use a cleansing conditioner if you have dry, frizzy, brittle, bleached or highlighted hair.

Scalp Conditioner

If you have scalp issues such as dermatitis, dandruff, or a generally sensitive scalp, this is the conditioner you should use. Most conditioners target the hair strands only. However, scalp conditioners are specially formulated to target the scalp and restore it to a healthy state. They can address most scalp conditions and reduce itching , dandruff, and dryness.

Moisturising Conditioner

A moisturising conditioner focuses on restoring moisture to hair strands. It’s a good option for those with dry or thick hair. Moisture improves the structure and elasticity of dry hair thus making it easier to style. It also reduces frizz. For a good moisturising conditioner, try our Lavender Conditioner which won Best Scalp Treatment in the Beauty Bible awards.

How Do I Co-Wash My Hair?

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to co-wash your hair the right way.

Step 1: Wet Your Hair

For starters, your hair needs to be soaking wet. Soaking hair loosens dirt debris which makes it easier to remove as much dirt as possible without using a shampoo. Water also helps to evenly distribute the conditioner on all hair strands.

Step 2: Apply Conditioner

Apply a generous amount of conditioner. Start from the roots and work your way to the tips. The amount depends on how dense or long your hair needs. Just ensure that all your strands are covered with conditioner.

Step 3: Distribute the Conditioner

Now that you’ve applied the product, massage it into the hair and scalp. Distribute the conditioner evenly from the scalp to the ends. This will help break down product residue and oils on your hair for easy removal.

Step 4: Let It Sit

This is the most important step. Don’t wash off the conditioner immediately. Instead, leave it on for three to five minutes. During this time, the conditioner acts as a hair mask. Letting the conditioner sit for a while gives it time to get absorbed into the hair shaft and work its magic. You can leave it on for ten to fifteen minutes if your hair is dry or damaged.

Step 5: Rinse and Style

Use warm or cold water to rinse out the conditioner then style as usual. You’ll notice that your hair will be more receptive to styling and styling products.

Will Co-Washing Leave My Hair Clean?

One of the major concerns with co-washing is whether it will leave the hair clean. Well, co-washing gets the hair clean enough. It does not get squeaky clean as it does when using shampoo, but it removes a large portion of dirt.

However, if you feel that your hair has excessive sweat and product build-up, you can use a clarifying shampoo every two to three weeks. This will help get rid of product build-up. Always listen to your hair. If it needs more washing, simply alternate between co-washing and clarifying to get the benefits of both.

What Are the Disadvantages of Co-Washing?

Co-washing extremely dirty hair leads to less than desirable results. If your hair is too dirty, it is advisable to wash it with shampoo then co-wash it the next time. Co-washing dirty hair can lead to a musky smell. On the other hand, too much co-washing over-moisturises the hair, potentially making it weak. As with everything, balance is key.

How Do I Get Started with Co-Washing?

You can get started with co-washing any time. All you need is a conditioner. Start with the conditioner you have at home. You can buy a more suitable conditioner later based on your hair needs.

Conclusion

Co-washing is a great way to maintain healthy hair without spending too much time and money. If possible, use conditioners that contain natural ingredients such as Lavender and Coconut. All the best!

Need more advice?
If you’d like any more advice please do email us – customercare@odylique.co.uk, add your question as a comment below, or call 01638 491022 – we’re here to help!