Co-Wash or Washing!

I am in the process of going natural and keeping it this time.  I have gone “natural” in the past many times because I intended to change what type of chemical relaxer I was applying to my hair.  This time I have no intention of chemically treating my hair again.  So in reference to the first part of your question I have come to love co-washing versus traditional washing for my natural hair simply because my hair is so thick, coarse and dry.  I have noticed that co-washing is better for my hair and scalp and more convenient because I can literally co-wash, spray on a leave-in moisturizing conditioner and I am done.  But don’t get me wrong I still will do a normal wash every now and then usually with a low lathering shampoo.  I just feel that shampoos clean better than a simple co-wash.  Now the co-wash product I use is Asiam coconut CoWash; I love it is one of the few products that works on my hair and my daughters’ hair as the three of us have three totally different hair textures/types.  I just happened to see this Asiam product in Salley’s and opted for it because I needed a clarifying shampoo and they did not have my tea tree clarifying shampoo that I typically use plus I had never tried a co-wash before.  I wanted something gentle for my hair during my transition because unlike a lot of ladies who decide to go natural I did not commit to the BC (I’m a chicken).  Asiam is designed for natural hair and has an array of products I have yet to try and thank goodness more and more options for natural hair are becoming available through different companies.  Of course different products work for different people so it may be a while to find something that works best for you.  But I would say if you are having a real problem with dryness to your hair and/scalp try co-washing for a while; if you have to have suds try a low sulfate shampoo.

To answer your second question co-washing (conditioner washing) is very simple you can wet the hair, apply the product throughout the hair and then rinse, repeat if necessary.  Now, because this is a conditioning wash, applying a conditioner may not be necessary.  For my hair I use a leave-in moisturizing conditioner.  As a matter of precaution I should advise that for best results of any product always use as directed.  Also note, you do not have to buy a product labeled “co-wash” I have heard you can use a regular conditioner to “wash” your hair.  I hope this helps I have included a couple of links of more information below.

http://blackgirllonghair.com/2012/10/4-tips-for-effective-co-washing/ - http://blackgirllonghair.com/2012/10/4-tips-for-effective-co-washing/

http://www.naturallycy.com/topics/view/co-washing - http://www.naturallycurly.com/topics/view/co-washing