CON washes- interesting perspective

[Bublnbrnsuga]

I was on another messageboard where there's a discussion on con-washing. Maybe this is why my hair has been feeling a lil rough,too.

'i agree that most conditioners contain foaming agents. look at the bottom of your shower when you rinse them out if you are unsure. they cause a little burst of bubbles before going down the drain. i just don't think that conditioners are cleansing to the scalp.

if they were, why don't you hear of people substituting hair conditioners for shower gels or soap to wash their entire bodies? you probably won't find many people who do this because most conditioners, even clarifying ones, leave residue behind that help the hair feel soft, moisturized, and shiny. they aren't meant to clean, as much as they are meant to replace what shampooing stripped away.

the scalp is skin too, just like the rest of your body. it needs soap and water to dissolve the sweat, oil, and debris from it. conditioners aren't formulated to do that.

that's why i've never understand the idea behind conditioner washing.'

 

[Candy_C]

I was on another messageboard where there's a discussion on con-washing. Maybe this is why my hair has been feeling a lil rough,too.

'i agree that most conditioners contain foaming agents. look at the bottom of your shower when you rinse them out if you are unsure. they cause a little burst of bubbles before going down the drain. i just don't think that conditioners are cleansing to the scalp.

if they were, why don't you hear of people substituting hair conditioners for shower gels or soap to wash their entire bodies? you probably won't find many people who do this because most conditioners, even clarifying ones, leave residue behind that help the hair feel soft, moisturized, and shiny. they aren't meant to clean, as much as they are meant to replace what shampooing stripped away.

the scalp is skin too, just like the rest of your body. it needs soap and water to dissolve the sweat, oil, and debris from it. conditioners aren't formulated to do that.

that's why i've never understand the idea behind conditioner washing.'

psh, i never like the idea either..BUTTT

i must admit when i was in Jamaica it saved my hair! But NEVER again, wayyy too much buildup in the end, i had to clarify TWICE

 

[Bublnbrnsuga]

psh, i never like the idea either..BUTTT

i must admit when i was in Jamaica it saved my hair! But NEVER again, wayyy too much buildup in the end, i had to clarify TWICE

Was the water hard in Jamaica or something? You know, I haven't been clarifying much because I thought the Con- washing was in a sense also cleansing it. Lord, our hair woes!

 

[Candy_C]

Was the water hard in Jamaica or something? You know, I haven't been clarifying much because I thought the Con- washing was in a sense also cleansing it. Lord, our hair woes!

lol i know, hair really does have a life of its own, even if it is dead, it has a soul!... the water was actually way too soft. the conditioner couldn't have been washed out 100% at all. the humidity and dry sun turned out to be good for the con wash idea, actually VERY GOOD, will definately do it again when visiting hot countries, but the UK just aint hot,,,or even warm and water here is 10x harder than jamaican water.

con wash is probabley best if you clarify often. i dont even think a regular shampoo can rid you the buildup con wash can cause...buttt, then again, the cone free conditioners r great for con washing and you probabley wont get much buildup at all.

 

[*Frisky*]

I never thought con washing was for cleaning purposes anyway. I thought it was to help retain more moisture in the hair. When I do it, I usually am wearing my hair in some type of wet style. I never roller set, blowdry or curl my hair after a con wash. Maybe I was in left field on this one...

 

[MizaniMami]

i always though that when you con-wash you are suppoed to:

1. rinse really well before

2. use the friction from your fingers to cleanse the scalp and the hair strands.

 

[sareca]

I love co-washes. But I don't use them to "clean" my hair. As a matter of fact, I only clean my hair once every 2 weeks. I've found that hard water and cleaning agents (even mild ones) don't mix. The buildup of oils protect my hair from the drying buildup of hard water.

 

[peacelove]

Con washes to me are not for cleaning the hair, it is for keeping moisture. For me the build up is not that much different from putting a daily moisturizer on your hair and washing it once a week.

 

[Princess Pie]

I don't use co washes to really clean my hair either. Also, I don't think my scalp is dirty enough to use shampoo every time I wet/wash my hair. I've been co washing to restore/maintain moisture.

 

[Candy_C]

Con washes to me are not for cleaning the hair, it is for keeping moisture. For me the build up is not that much different from putting a daily moisturizer on your hair and washing it once a week.

i can see why i have so much build up then. if i add hair moisturizor more than once a week my hair gets tacky and actually builds..

 

[sunshyne_krissy]

Con washes to me are not for cleaning the hair, it is for keeping moisture. For me the build up is not that much different from putting a daily moisturizer on your hair and washing it once a week.

I second peacelove. I love my co-wash concoction. It doesnt clean my hair at all but thats not what I'm going for. I do it for the moisture and softness it provides. Plus I'm transitioning so it helps a BUNCH with my new growth. I co-wash wednesdays and reg 'poo on saturdays. This regimen has worked better for me than 'poo alone.

 

[shiningstar84]

i thought this was about cream of nature shampoo ::backs out::

 

[babyblue]

i agree with the OP. i never did them with the idea that they were cleansing. i primarily do them to refresh my hair and keep it moisturized when i dont feel like using shampoo.

 

[amy1234]

I think it's important to keep the scalp clean if you're going to continue with conditioner washes. I read somewhere that shampoo is really meant for the scalp and I would use it sparingly on my length.

 

[Cheleigh]

I think I posted in the thread on the other board on this too.

I don't have CG book handy, but most conditioners (that don't contain silicones or other no-no ingredients) are usually enough for most frequent hair washers provided that:
-The person is not putting products with silicones, oils, petrolatum, or heavy butters in their hair.
-The person is generating enough friction from their massage to disturb dirt on the scalp and bring it to the surface.

Now, most CWers that I know do occasionally:
-wash their hair with a non-SLS shampoo bar or shampoo. I use a handmade shampoo bar, a clarifying conditioner, or a conditioner that contains cocamidopropyl betaine, which is a mild surfactant.
-exfoliate their scalps with baking soda/water or brown sugar scrub type products.

I also almost never put anything directly on my scalp (usually only my moisturize spritz). Most products I reserve for the hair itself.

 

[Synthia]

I CW every day.

I don't use conditioners with cones. And my hair does actually feel clean and moisturized.

I basically do it because my hair loves water and I won't style my hair unless it is fresh...because I don't like manipulating day 'old' hair.

I'm one of those that can air dry loose and get a somewhat smooth look that can be combed without breaking.

My hair absolutely loves getting rinsed with conditioner every day and 'bumped' with Caruso rollers thereafter ...never to be touched again until the next day's rinsing.

 

[Country gal]

CW do cause buildup. It is important to have a very good clarifing shampoo. I use Elcence and love it. I never really thought of CW as adding moisture. When you think of it that is what CWs do is add to the moisture. I like CWs when wearing my hair out. When I twist my hair I wash it really well and deep conditon.

 

[nefertitiblack]

The answer is a little complicated. When I wear a wash n go I CW almost everyday and it has helped my hair be more moisturized. A LOT! I don't scrub my scalp everyday when I CW. If my scalp is feeling a icky, I will CW and scrub my scalp with my fingertips. If my scalp is feeling particularly icky I will wash my scalp it about a dime sized dollop of shampoo (the only product I use a dime sized dollop for LOL!) I'll do the shampoo thing maybe one or twice a month. I do think CW's are cleansing, just not as cleansing as shampoo, and that can be a good thing.

 

[Victorian]

I always gently scrub my scalp when I'm rinsing my hair in the shower. I think of my daily rinsing/conditioning as keeping the dirt and oil to a minimum until my shampoo, as well as taking the place of using a daily moisturizer. I've never viewed it as a substitute for regular shampooing.

I agree about con washing not cleaning your scalp the way shampooing does. It's not that it doesn't do anything, but it isn't as effective as shampooing. I always focus directly on my scalp when I shampoo. I can understand using a clarifying shampoo for that purpose, although I personally haven't clarified in at least 2 years. I keep meaning to buy a clarifier but I always end up buying more conditioner If I get one I plan to primarily use it on my scalp only. The length of my hair seems to be fine with just regular shampooing.

In my world, the key is clean-rinsing conditioners and gentle shampoos. Heavy or harsh is a no-no for me.

 

[Princess Pie]

I noticed that when I used shampoo with every wash my scalp was always dry and irritated. My scalp was so dry that relaxers burned more, and my new growth was really coarse. I didn't think of it at the time, because I was using moisturing poos, and keeping my hair and scalp moisturized. The only thing I do differently now is less shampoo, and my scalp has never been healthier. So, I think using a condition, and friction, to clean the scalp may actually be more healthy for me in the long run.

 

[planodiva]

I CON-wash mainly in the summer for my wash and go styles. I only put the conditioner on the hair shaft that hangs below my ear so I am really just adding moisture to my ends.

I have almost entirely given up on pooing and I know my hair is healthier because of it.

 

[Ayeshia]

I never thought of them as cleansing my scalp either..."wash" meaning with water thats as far as I took the meaning. I eave all of it in anyway. My hair is thanking me

 

[Poohbear]

i agree with the OP. i never did them with the idea that they were cleansing. i primarily do them to refresh my hair and keep it moisturized when i dont feel like using shampoo.

Same here.... I agree.

 

[secretdiamond]

i thought this was about cream of nature shampoo ::backs out::

I remember getting confused like this when I was a newbie.