I have a few a rules for co-washing that have yet to steer me wrong. It's short, straight to the point and easy to live by.
1. Skip The Deep Conditioner For Your Co-Wash
If your conditioner is labeled as a "hair mask", "deep treatment" or requires that you leave it on for more than 5 to 10 minutes, chances are that it's not meant to co-wash with. These conditioners are meant to bind to the hair, and this binding can cause product buildup if used too often. Stick to a normal wash out conditioner from lines such as Pantene, Tresemme and the like.
2. Make Sure Your Conditioner Has "Slip"
What you talking about, Willis? I'm talking about the ingredients in certain conditioners that allow your wide tooth shower comb to cut through your hair like warm butter. These are usually silicones and they aren't something you need to avoid when co-washing. New technology has made a lot of them water soluble, which means that they won't block moisture from your precious strands!
3. Don't Drop The Soap
Yeah, I know this is about co-washing, but the truth is that co-washing won't give you that moisture you long for if the hair is coated with product buildup. This is where shampoo comes into play. Feel free to use a sulfate free shampoo as well, I really don't mind as long as you get the gunk off. Once a week, once every 2 weeks or once a month is really up to you, just do it at some point during your regimen.
4. Find A Conditioner That Works For You
What weighs my hair down may not weigh your hair down. What gives you slip may rip my hair out. My point is that you must find what works for you through trial and error. Use a product for a least 7 days and make an educated decision about it. Remember that you can always shave your legs with that conditioner that didn't work on your hair.
Do you co-wash your hair? Let us know your co-washing tips in the comment section below.
Have A Good Hair Day and remember to Love Your Hair!!!
