Co-washing, a popular suds-free method for cleansing hair, might be the answer to your dry, freezy hair problem if you are living in Malta. In short, co-washing means using conditioner instead of shampoo. In most cases, strands will feel smoother, softer, and easier to manage, especially if you have a head of curls or waves or you live in a very damaging weather conditions like Malta with it's aggressive sun, salt in the sea water and etc. Keep reading to find out what a dermatologists and hair experts had to say about this method, why it works, and how to do it.
What Is Co-Washing?It means skipping shampoo and relying solely on conditioner, whether you're a daily or a weekly washer.
Most conditioners contain trace amounts of detergents called cationic surfactants, or "quats" for short,some common types that you can find on your conditioner's ingredient list are cetrimonium and behentrimonium chloride.
When mixed with water, the quats pick up tiny amounts of dirt, leaving unshampooed hair feeling clean but not too clean.
At the same time, the conditioner contains conditioners. Since unshampooed hair retains more of its natural oils than shampooed hair, the conditioner's moisturizing agents will now leave strands even smoother and silkier than usual, which will make hair less freezy and more textured.
Co-Washing BenefitsIf you are unsure if co-washing is right for you, consider these benefits that shampooing less often yields.
- Protects your hair's natural oils
- Keeps your scalp hydrated
- Can prevent hair breakage
- Helps to reduce frizz
- Helps recover severely dry or heat-damaged hair
- Can save you time in the shower
- Can extend the shelf life of your shampoo
How Often Should You Co-Wash?If you have extremely textured hair, your hair is very dehydrated, or you have excessive heat damage, you should co-wash every two to three days.
If your hair needs a good cleanse from product buildup, you should also co-wash. However, co-washing too often can lead to the same buildup you are trying to avoid because conditioner is not strong enough to cleanse the scalp deeply. So even if you will find this method suitable for you, don't throw away your shampoo, you will still need to use it, just not as often as you thought you needed.
How to Co-Wash HairEliminating shampoo from your hair-washing routine requires adjustments to how you rinse and condition your hair. Here are step-by-step directions for a smooth transition:
- Fully saturate your hair with water.The strands should be sopping wet so the water will make it easier to rinse out. This also helps distribute the product evenly throughout the hair.
- Squeeze out a generous amount of conditioner.You need to use enough to coat strands from the middle length to the tip. For some people, this can mean using as much as a golf-ball-size amount. This may seem like a lot, but don't forget that you're cleansing, not just conditioning + some hair needs to absorb more of a product than others.
- Do not apply conditioner directly on your scalp - this may make your hair looking "oily", your roots are healthier and stronger, than the ends, they don't need. Always apply masks/conditioner one or two inches away from the scalp.
- Distribute conditioner evenly through the ends first, then the middle length and then roots.This will help break down oils and any residue leftover from styling products. Then allow the conditioner to be absorbed for three to five minutes. If your hair is particularly dry or damaged, leave it in longer (max 25 minutes). It will act like a mask.
- Rinse all hair including roots and scalp with a lot of water.
- Dry and style.
You may discover that you need less styling product since the hair is less parched and easier to style.
Use a clarifying shampoo once every two to four weeks during the winter, and once in four to six weeks during the summer if you are located in Malta or another country with the similar weather/life conditions.
Buildup—from sweat, stylers, or conditioner—is inevitable, regardless of whether you shampoo or co-wash. Experiment with how frequently you need to clarify your hair. In general, a once-a-month or twice-a-month wash will cure dullness without drying. If your hair still feels weighed down after biweekly clarifying, alternate as needed between co-washing and shampooing. This should keep the benefits of co-washing and will give your hair more volume.
Ideal Hair Types for Co-Washing
Below, you'll find the best hair types suitable for co-washing:
Waves and CurlsIf your hair is dry, or it's curly or wavy (both of which are naturally dry), you'll benefit from co-washing. In fact, legions of ringleted people have been washing with conditioner alone for years.
Color-Processed HairAssuming that they have healthy scalps, women with color-processed hair are also prime candidates for co-washing, as it allows them to go longer between salon treatments. Co-washing doesn't strip strands of pigment the way traditional cleansing can. In fact,it actually helps your hair, especially if your hairdresser can mix an individual hair repair mask/conditioner with your hair colour shade, then you will condition/repair and also keep the colour vibrant without using harsh hair colours, which can dry your hair if you use it too often and lead to the unwanted damage and hair breakage.
People with fine, straight hair should be careful with co-washing because their hair could get weighed down. People with oily scalp or dermatitis should consult your stylist/trichologist/dermatologist first.
Choosing the Right Conditioner
If your hair is on the thicker side, the daily conditioner that's already sitting in your shower may be all that you need. Just avoid conditioners with silicones, such as dimethicone, in the ingredient list. These are often added to conventional conditioners to visually smooth hair,but they can damage hair. Silicones will build up and weigh down your strands which will lead to the hair breakage (it can happen from the root,the middle or the ends,randomly).
If your hair isn't as thick, you may do better with a product specifically designed for co-washing, called cleansing conditioners. These contain more cleanser than typical conditioners do, but in the form of natural ingredients (like my favourite aloe vera), which are cleaning hair more gently.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Should you still use conditioner after co-washing?
If your hair is very dry, you might benefit from a leave-in conditioner or deep conditioning mask. For hair types that aren't as dehydrated, the addition of a conditioner may weigh hair down.
Should you co-wash instead of shampoo?
While co-washing is the best way to keep dry and damaged hair types hydrated, co-washing does not clean deep enough to remove sebum and product buildup over time. Therefore, shampoo is needed eventually. The ingredients in shampoo are also suited to cleanse the scalp, whereas co-washing does not.
How long does it take for hair to get used to a co-wash?
As with any skincare or hair care treatment, introducing a new product should be done gradually overtime. Depending on your hair type and shower routine, it could take anywhere between a few days or up to a month for your hair and its natural oils to adjust to co-washing.
