Can you co-wash natural braids?

[Bublin]

I've just put my hair into individual braids (without extensions) and have discovered that my hair likes this. The twists just encourage it to lock up.

I am wondering if its OK to put conditioner in my hair or will it be too much build up.

I'm planning to keep them in for 2 weeks at a time and work-out quite alot so i need them washed and conditioned about twice a week.

If i can only shampoo how do i condition my hair?

 

[Nonie]

I don't see why there'd be a problem with this. Whether hair is in braids, twists, weaves... I think you should treat it the same way you'd treat it out of them. Is there a reason you are unsure? I condition wash my extension braids, I condition wash twists, if I'd worn natural braids I'd condition wash them too. Actually I've never condition washed my hair unless it was braided or in twists (Actually, I never wash my hair when it is combed out) and I've never had problems.

 

[Bublin]

Thanks.

I've just not done it before so i thought i'd ask....i was worried about having white residue on my hair and scalp.

 

[daaiyah]

You can condition, but be sure you rinse well. Sometimes the conditioner gets caught in the folds and turns and collects dirt if not rinsed out completely. Also avoid conditioners that have visible herbs because your hair will be filled with those pieces. AND it has been my experience that you should not leave the conditioner in too long because it will be harder to rinse out.
My .02.

 

[Twisties]

Hi Bublin

I have found that my twist start meshing too, so I switch up with tiny plaits.

Yes, you can co-wash individual plaits on natural hair. I do this all the time. I use a light conditiner like Neutrogena Clean - Replenishing or one of the VO5 conditioners. Also, I have used Aubrey Organics GPB as a deep conditioner with plaits too. I have never had a problem with build up (like suggested, just rinse very well). I kept my braids in for 2 months doing this routine and it did not lock or mesh.

2 weeks shouldn't give you a problem at all.

 

[Soliel185]

I wore them for about 2 years, washed, co washed, used oils etc with no build up or problems. I hated freshly done braids b/c they were so flat and dead looking, so I would wash them 3-4 times right away to loosen them up. It also made the ends curl into ringlets which made them look more like twists than braids but without the threat of accidential locing