Whh can't I Co-wash?

[Danniquin]

First let me introduce myself... I'm Dani, I'm 15 and I'm almost grazing bsl. Iv'e been on my hair journey since November 09, but I just subscribed to lhcf YaY!!

Now my question: Does anyone else have a problem with co-washing? Every time I have tried it so far my hair ended up feeling rough and extremely tangled! So I gave up on it for like a month or two. But people always rave about co-washing, and it's supposedly the key to wl hair right? So I tried it again and let me just tell you my hair did not feel good. I have never done this to my hair before but I imagine this is what stripping your hair feels like. How in the world did I strip my hair using conditioner?

I don't understand how this doesn't happen when I deep condition on dry hair and also it doesn't happen when I shampoo my hair first.

Please help me ladies

 

[Americka]

Hi Dani! Welcome to LHCF! What are you using to co-wash?

 

[CurlTalk]

Welcome to the board! Are you relaxed or natural? What are you using/ what is your cowashing technique?

 

[luvn_life]

Welcome Chica!!!

So first of all, are you relaxed or natural?? Second, as the other poster said, what are you cowashing with?? You may need to incorporate some other ingredients into your cowash, like oils or honey OR you may just need to switch conditioners.

My cowash condish used to be Suave Naturals coconut, with Shikakai, amla and brahmi tea with coconut, pepperminet, and rosemary oil. Now, you definitely don't need to get that detailed but that is what my hair LOVES!!!

And lastly, cowashing is not for everybody. You can definitely have long healthy hair without it. I don't co wash anymore and my hair is growing, healthy, and moisturized.

Hope this helps!!

 

[PPGbubbles]

Welcome!!!!

Well I learned 4 me 4a/b texture I have 2 plait my hair in 6 section 1st pre poo w/ grape seed oil then I cowash.... It took me a long time 2 learn that this works 4 MY hair....I love tresseme naturals conditioner!!!

And I can't deep condition on dry hair either!!!!


So take everything in stride and learn what works 4 hair!!!

And my best advice it you finally find something that works..."If it aint broke don't fix it!" There are soo many products and trends here on LHCF...u can mess up ur retention trying 2 keep up!

Best of luck on ur journey hun

 

[ms.blue]

welcome to this board! Like what luvn_life mentioned co-washing is not for everyone. I tried co-washing last year & my hair hated it but I'm a co-washing challenge to see if it will work or not.

 

[CarolinaGal]

Welcome! In addition to what you used to co-wash, please tell us what other products you are using. Thanks!

 

[Danniquin]

Sorry l left some important info out.
I'm relaxed.
I've used Aussie Moist, HE LTR, Mane & Tail, and some Pantene (not sure what it was) That's a lot, I was trying to find what worked

 

[CurlTalk]

I'm unfamiliar with the conditioners you mentioned; however, what is your technique? Do you cowash after DCing, in place of regular washes, everyday, etc?

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

lmao, cowashing isn't for everyone though. And it's definitely not the key to long hair, because there are many ladies with long hair who don't co-wash. I know that it seems like the whole world be co-washing, but that's simply not true. Just do what YOUR hair likes and be gentle with it, and you'll reach your goal. If your hair just doesn't like a technique, then don't force it because you may end up doing more harm than good.

It's like when you have a baby who doesn't like strained peas. You both know that the baby doesn't like strained peas. If you go ahead and try to feed the baby the peas (knowing damn well there is other, just as nutritious food available), the baby will spit it back at you, rub it all over him or herself, throw it at the walls, and generally make a mess. And then you're worse off than when you started, because the baby is still hungry and now you have to give it a bath and clean. AFTER you feed it what it wanted to begin with. It would have been easier if you had done that from the jump, no? Hair's the same way, and co-washing just may be your strained peas.

Just my two cents.

 

[NaturalPath]

Sorry l left some important info out.
I'm relaxed.
I've used Aussie Moist, HE LTR, Mane & Tail, and some Pantene (not sure what it was) That's a lot, I was trying to find what worked

IMO I personally can not use cheapie drugstore conditioners, even though other ladies have no problem using them. I have to use giovanni conditioners because they guarantee lots of slip. I have found that cheapie con's make my hair feel stiff and do not warrant lots of moisture.

How and when do you detangle?

I personally have to slowly detangle on dry hair using my fingers first followed by a denman brush, however other ladies prefer detangling prior to washing using lots of conditioner, while other ladies prefer to wet their hair and saturate it with conditioner to detangle.

Its pretty much a trial and error...you have to try different products/techniques to see what works for you. I actually hated co-washing at first but when I tried different products and changed my detangling method I soon began to love it!

P.S do you ever clarify your hair?

HTH

 

[Danniquin]

lmao, cowashing isn't for everyone though. And it's definitely not the key to long hair, because there are many ladies with long hair who don't co-wash. I know that it seems like the whole world be co-washing, but that's simply not true. Just do what YOUR hair likes and be gentle with it, and you'll reach your goal. If your hair just doesn't like a technique, then don't force it because you may end up doing more harm than good.

It's like when you have a baby who doesn't like strained peas. You both know that the baby doesn't like strained peas. If you go ahead and try to feed the baby the peas (knowing damn well there is other, just as nutritious food available), the baby will spit it back at you, rub it all over him or herself, throw it at the walls, and generally make a mess. And then you're worse off than when you started, because the baby is still hungry and now you have to give it a bath and clean. AFTER you feed it what it wanted to begin with. It would have been easier if you had done that from the jump, no? Hair's the same way, and co-washing just may be your strained peas.

Just my two cents.

Yup I've never liked peas anyway ;p

So I think I'm going to give up co-washing. I may try it once more with Giovanni conditioner because I heard that was good but if that doesn't work I quit because it will cause more harm then good. Thanks Ladies!

 

[equestrian]

Sorry l left some important info out.
I'm relaxed.
I've used Aussie Moist, HE LTR, Mane & Tail, and some Pantene (not sure what it was) That's a lot, I was trying to find what worked

Hmm those are good conditioners. Maybe try some cone free conditoners. such as Natures Gate biotin, aubrey organics honeysuckle, or garnier triple nutrition(only garnier condish without cones) Some people just don't react well to cones.
If these don't turn out well either my guess is that co-washing just isn't for you. Just to clarify, are you saying your hair reacts better when you use shampoo, or when you wash less?

I'm 15 too btw

 

[silenttullip]

Hard water can also be a big contribution to the dryness even with a good filter. So like others have said it isn't for anyone. I' d echo giovanni conditioners and if that doesn't work go back too poo or give ayurvedic things a shot. For me using a natural poo that's mild works well

 

[30something]

Co washing didn't get better me until i got better at air drying, do you think your air drying techniques maybe getting in the way?

 

[Danniquin]

Yes I clarify. Once a month
My hair reacts better when I shampoo.
No I don't think it's my airdrying technique because it feels stripped while it wet.

Thanks for the responses so far

 

[angelica_lisa]

I like co-washing with V05 Strawberries and creme conditioner. Then I use a mix of castor oil and Cream of Nature Nourishing Conditioner and detangle my hair (the castor oil really helps in detangling). Then I rinse, dry off and add my leave-in conditioner (JCS revitalizing leave-in) and seal with grapeseed oil. Sometimes I like to use a pomade if I feel the hair is too soft to style right away.

Maybe it's not so much the conditioners you are using to wash your hair with, but the combination of what you are using after that is making your hair hard. Some products work better than others.

 

[MzOptimistic]

Sorry l left some important info out.
I'm relaxed.
I've used Aussie Moist, HE LTR, Mane & Tail, and some Pantene (not sure what it was) That's a lot, I was trying to find what worked

Hi Danniquin, try cowashing with Lustrasilk Olive Oil Cholesterol, Queen Helene, Motions Moisture Plus, Suave Professional Line Humectant. These should do the trick and they are not expensive. I use these for my co washes. Hair comes out soft and moistured. Also what are using as a leave in? Try Hawaiian Silky 14 n 1. You can't go wrong with that. Mane & Tail is protein so that could be the problem with that one. Hope that helps!

 

[darlingdiva]

You said that your hair reacts better with shampoo. Maybe your hair is trying to tell you that it doesn't like co-washing.

If you are trying to add moisture to your hair, you can deep condition it more often and use a water-based moisturizer.

P.S.: I'm very proud of you (and Jordan S.) for starting your healthy hair journeys so young.