Cowashing- How do you do it, how often

[gymfreak336]

I want to try cowashing but I am unsure about it. I have relaxed hair and I am not sure how I should style my hair afterwards. Do I just set it as usual and sit under a dryer? I really didn't want to have to sit under it anymore than I have too. Should I just subsitute one wash for a co-wash or add a co-wash additional to my twice weekly washes and figure out another way to dry it.

 

[preciousjewel76]

I've been back & forth with co-washing. At first, I think it overmoisturized my hair. But lately, I've been subbing one of my weekly poo/DC with a cowash with no problems. I guess my moisture/protein balance is in check now.

I don't have the patience to rollerset anymore, so I usually airdry in a twist or low bun. I sometimes "help" the drying process by sitting under the hood dryer for 30 minutes or so.

 

[gymfreak336]

I've been back & forth with co-washing. At first, I think it overmoisturized my hair. But lately, I've been subbing one of my weekly poo/DC with a cowash with no problems. I guess my moisture/protein balance is in check now.

I don't have the patience to rollerset anymore, so I usually airdry in a twist or low bun. I sometimes "help" the drying process by sitting under the hood dryer for 30 minutes or so.

Thanks. I have the patience to rollerset and sit under a dryer twice a week so I might sub. a poo/dc for a cowash like you so sometimes. I really would love to find a way to dry and wear my hair without rolling and drying but I don't know of anything I could do besides roll and air dry. I am at a point now that I think I might need to step it up in terms of my regime and I am hoping that cowashing will help me do that. Thanks again

 

[preciousjewel76]

I admire your patience. I haven't attempted a rollerset since November! I'm in a bit of a hairstyle rut, too. Maybe I should at least try some bantu knots or sumthin' over here.

 

[gymfreak336]

I admire your patience. I haven't attempted a rollerset since November! I'm in a bit of a hairstyle rut, too. Maybe I should at least try some bantu knots or sumthin' over here.

Since November!, I can't do anything but rollerset. I can usually do it in under 20mins now. Since my salon mishap my ponytail isn't really as long as it used to be. Don't get me wrong, my hair was not long by any means but I refuse to walk around with a little nubby ponytail. I can still pull it back and use an octopus clip and it looks good so I might try co-washing and just rolling a couple of pieces near my hair line so I can pull it back and have a little messy wavy side sweept bang going on. I have a coupon for 13 bucks towards "beauty" items at CVS so I might go buy a cheapie conditioner and another clip tonight. I need to wash tonight and I would try a co wash but my scalp is acting up right now and it is crying for some head and shoulders.

 

[aurora3140]

I'm usually a roller-set and wrapper, but for the past 2 weeks I've been co-washing at least 3 times a week, and setting on the weekends.

I co-wash and let my hair dry wrapped in a towel for a few minutes with my leave-in. Then, I unwrap the towel, add my moisturizer and oil, and let it finish air-drying with my hair loose, just hanging down, to about 85% dry.

I find that my hair dries pretty straight if I comb it once or twice while it's loose. I only lose 2 or 3 hairs in the comb during this entire process because my hair is usually tangle-free at this point (I detangle in the shower and my hair isn't that thick).

Finally, I bun, whole head baggy, and go to bed. The whole process from the co-wash to the bunning is only about 30 minutes. Since my "bun" is actually closer to a bantu knot/pincurl, I finger comb my hair into a ponytail in the morning and wear a wavy, high pony. It's not quite protective, but since my hair is shortish and the ponytail is so high, my ends aren't rubbing on my clothes.

So far, my hair is really loving this regimen and it's loads less manipulation than roller-setting. Also I'm not combing my hair throughout the day.

HTH

 

[preciousjewel76]

I'm scared to let my hair airdry loose at this point in my stretch . I'm working with a lot of NG at the moment. I might just tie the front down and let the back hang loose to dry, though. Putting it in a bun/pony seems to make the ends take forever to dry.

I'm usually a roller-set and wrapper, but for the past 2 weeks I've been co-washing at least 3 times a week, and setting on the weekends.

I co-wash and let my hair dry wrapped in a towel for a few minutes with my leave-in. Then, I unwrap the towel, add my moisturizer and oil, and let it finish air-drying with my hair loose, just hanging down, to about 85% dry.

I find that my hair dries pretty straight if I comb it once or twice while it's loose. I only lose 2 or 3 hairs in the comb during this entire process because my hair is usually tangle-free at this point (I detangle in the shower and my hair isn't that thick).

Finally, I bun, whole head baggy, and go to bed. The whole process from the co-wash to the bunning is only about 30 minutes. Since my "bun" is actually closer to a bantu knot/pincurl, I finger comb my hair into a ponytail in the morning and wear a wavy, high pony. It's not quite protective, but since my hair is shortish and the ponytail is so high, my ends aren't rubbing on my clothes.

So far, my hair is really loving this regimen and it's loads less manipulation than roller-setting. Also I'm not combing my hair throughout the day.

HTH

 

[gymfreak336]

I'm usually a roller-set and wrapper, but for the past 2 weeks I've been co-washing at least 3 times a week, and setting on the weekends.

I co-wash and let my hair dry wrapped in a towel for a few minutes with my leave-in. Then, I unwrap the towel, add my moisturizer and oil, and let it finish air-drying with my hair loose, just hanging down, to about 85% dry.

I find that my hair dries pretty straight if I comb it once or twice while it's loose. I only lose 2 or 3 hairs in the comb during this entire process because my hair is usually tangle-free at this point (I detangle in the shower and my hair isn't that thick).

Finally, I bun, whole head baggy, and go to bed. The whole process from the co-wash to the bunning is only about 30 minutes. Since my "bun" is actually closer to a bantu knot/pincurl, I finger comb my hair into a ponytail in the morning and wear a wavy, high pony. It's not quite protective, but since my hair is shortish and the ponytail is so high, my ends aren't rubbing on my clothes.

So far, my hair is really loving this regimen and it's loads less manipulation than roller-setting. Also I'm not combing my hair throughout the day.

HTH

Thanks a bunch. That really helps. I get what you are saying with the "bun" thing because my bun does the same thing. I guess the only way I will know how my hair likes this is to try it. I would love to get to the point that I only shampoo once a week and co-wash once or twice a week. I workout alot, especially lately (trying to lose weight for my sisters wedding) so co washing would really help me.

 

[gymfreak336]

I'm scared to let my hair airdry loose at this point in my stretch . I'm working with a lot of NG at the moment. I might just tie the front down and let the back hang loose to dry, though. Putting it in a bun/pony seems to make the ends take forever to dry.

I was thinking about the whole stretching thing too but what I might try when I get deep into a stretch is just co-washing both washes and shampooing every other week.

 

[aurora3140]

Yeah, I can see how drying loose might be bothersome later on in a stretch. I'll probably do nightly braidouts starting at week 8. I'm only 5 weeks post and it's pure hell trying to part my hair for my rollerset on the weekend, so right now airdrying is a much welcome reprieve.

 

[gymfreak336]

Yeah, I can see how drying loose might be bothersome later on in a stretch. I'll probably do nightly braidouts starting at week 8. I'm only 5 weeks post and it's pure hell trying to part my hair for my rollerset on the weekend, so right now airdrying is a much welcome reprieve.

I wish I could do a braid out, mine look horrible. If I could master flexirods, then I would be set.

 

[preciousjewel76]

I wish I could do a braid out, mine look horrible. If I could master flexirods, then I would be set.

I *sooooooo* want to try a braidout again, but my last attempt left me traumatized. One day, I'll be brave enough to try again....

 

[gymfreak336]

I *sooooooo* want to try a braidout again, but my last attempt left me traumatized. One day, I'll be brave enough to try again....

Traumatized... You are too much but I feel ya. I have learned that when you are experimenting, make sure you have the time to redo it before going out in public looking like a HAM

 

[GodsPromises]

I do one wash and one c/o a week. As the weather gets warmer I may do more. As for drying I usually add my my leave - in and moisturer and I tie a scaft on and let it airdry. I find that my hair dries straighter with a scaft on. After 80% dry I will cross wrap it and go to bed. In the morning I will put it in a bun and go.

 

[gymfreak336]

I do one wash and one c/o a week. As the weather gets warmer I may do more. As for drying I usually add my my leave - in and moisturer and I tie a scaft on and let it airdry. I find that my hair dries straighter with a scaft on. After 80% dry I will cross wrap it and go to bed. In the morning I will put it in a bun and go.

Ahhh, the cross wrap, I see how that would help. Thanks. I totally didn't think about that.

 

[chayil0427]

I never co-wash. I just don't like the idea of putting conditioner ontop of dirty hair.

I'm a big advocate of shampooing. I think it's important to keep your hair and scalp clean with no build up.

Chayil

 

[Divine Inspiration]

When I co-wash, I style as usual.

I usually prepoo, rinse thoroughly then deep condition when I co wash. I used to just use con the way I would poo and then DC and style as usual. The key to doing it that way is to not use a con with cones.

I don't CO wash as much these days becuase I only wash once a week, and I prefer to use poo on those days, but when I find time to wash twice in a week, I usually prepoo, rinse & DC all with cone-free products.

 

[Proudpiscean]

Ahhh, the cross wrap, I see how that would help. Thanks. I totally didn't think about that.

Is there a tutorial somewhere that shows how to cross wrap? I need to stalk some fotkis and learn this technique :scratchch

 

[GodsPromises]

Here you go

HTH

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=122156&highlight=cross+wrap

Is there a tutorial somewhere that shows how to cross wrap? I need to stalk some fotkis and learn this technique :scratchch

 

[CAPlush]

I co-washed because my scarf came off of my wet hair while I was sleeping, and I didn't see any other way to get my hair looking alright. I used NTM DDC. It was ok, but it didn't have the smooth strong feeling I get when i shampoo/dc. I don't think I will make it part of my regimen, but it wasn't a disaster or anything.