Co-washing cannot entirely replace shampooing, but it reduces the need to shampoo your hair. It can lead to serious build-up as the residue from cleansing conditioners can settle under the cuticle scales. It is required to use a clarifying shampoo at least once after co-washing hair twice or thrice to prevent product build-up (2). Co-washing was first created for naturally curly and textured hair types, but it’s suitable for sensitive hair as well. It uses non-ionic surfactants like cetyl alcohol, which has low cleansing properties. Co-washing products can also contain cationic surfactants and oil. So, here’s the most important question –
Is Co-Washing Good For Your Hair?
Curly hair is very prone to damage due to its elliptical structure. There is excess sebum production at the roots, but the hair strands are left dry since sebum does not reach it. While shampoos decrease hair combing friction and manageability, they can also cause hair breakage and dryness. Co-washing once or twice a week instead of shampooing your hair can help improve its health. It also has other benefits that are listed in the next section.
Benefits Of Co-Washing
Reduces frizz Smoothens curls Enhances curl structure Softens hair Makes curls manageable Leaves the hair fresh Keeps the hair hydrated Keeps the hair clean
Though co-washing is a great cleansing alternative, you can’t use any conditioner to carry out this method. Find out more in the next section.
Can You Co-Wash With Any Conditioner?
Not all conditioners can be used to co-wash hair. Regular conditioners are used to combat frizz, detangle hair, decrease friction, and improve combability (3). The most active ingredient in conditioners is silicone, i.e., mainly non-soluble silicone compounds like dimethicone. These non-soluble silicone compounds neutralize negative charging on the cuticle and rest under the cuticle fibers. This collection of non-soluble residue leads to product build-up. Cleansing conditioners, on the other hand, usually don’t contain heavy non-soluble compounds like silicones, petroleum, or mineral oils. They also don’t contain heavy surfactants that make your hair dry. That is why they are more suitable for co-washing. To maintain the maintain healthy hair, here are some mistakes that one must avoid when co-washing their hair.
Co-Washing Mistakes To Avoid For The Healthiest Hair
Now that you know all about co-washing, let’s check out how to do it the right away.
How To Co-Wash Your Natural Hair – Step-By-Step Tutorial
How Often Should You Co-Wash Your Hair?
Co-washing cannot be a replacement for shampooing hair. It just decreases the number of times you shampoo your hair to preserve hair health. It is important to use a deep cleansing or clarifying shampoo at least four times a month. There are some people who should avoid co-washing. Find out who in the next section.
Is There Anyone Who Should Not Co-Wash Their Hair?
The co-washing method is suitable for individuals with minimal product build-up on the hair and scalp. It is not adequate for individuals who regularly use silicone-based hairstyling products (2). It can also weigh your hair down if you have naturally oily tresses. Like any other hair care routine, co-washing too has its own set of pros and cons. Keep scrolling to find out what they are.
Pros And Cons Of Co-Washing
Pros
Ideal for dry, sensitive, over-processed, and textured hair Does not strip away the moisture from your hair Gentle Detangles hair Neutralizes the negative charge on the hair surface that causes frizz
Cons
Some co-washing products may cause hair loss (1) Low cleansing product Cannot entirely replace shampoo Non-soluble silicone co-washes can cause build-up A clarifying shampoo has to be used twice every month to prevent product build-up
Now, let’s answer a few frequently asked questions about co-washing.
Will Co-Washing Make Your Hair Greasy?
Co-washing products use non-ionic surfactants that are low cleansing compounds. These cannot be used to remove excess oil from your hair and can leave your hair feeling weighed down or greasy.
Is Co-Washing Better Than Shampooing?
Shampooing curly hair can cause hair breakage due to sebum loss (1). Shampoos contain surfactants like sulfates that can increase frizz, impact hair fragility, and cause scalp dryness (2). Most shampoos have a high pH level that could affect scalp and hair health. Research shows that only 38% of branded shampoos have a pH level lesser than or equal to 5 (4). Co-washing products have lower pH levels, which can balance scalp and hair pH. But using co-wash products alone can lead to seborrheic dermatitis and an oily scalp due to the low level of cleansing and high build-up. For best results, use a clarifying shampoo to cleanse hair in between co-washes at least twice a month. If you have curly, dry, or brittle hair, co-washing can help as it regulates sebum production without stripping your hair dry. Add co-washing to your regular hair care routine to see an improvement in hair texture, quality, and manageability. But remember that co-washing alone will not keep your hair and scalp clean. Is co-wash and conditioner the same thing? No. Co-washing is a method of washing your hair using only conditioner. Conditioner is a hair care product that helps improve your hair’s appearance, texture, and manageability. Does co-washing help hair grow? No. Co-washing can improve hair quality and ensure healthy growth, but it does not boost hair growth. Can you co-wash every day? You can co-wash every day if you have straight hair and use a clarifying shampoo once weekly to eliminate buildup. For curly hair, co-wash your hair once or twice a week to avoid product buildup. Is co-washing good for dandruff? No. Co-washing does not help get rid of dandruff and dirt from the scalp. It can further aggravate the issue and cause buildup. If you have dandruff, use a medicated shampoo.
