How do you co-wash?

[brownsugar9999]

Okay, DUH how do you do it? Please enlighten me b/c I feel STUPID!!!!

 

[Divine Inspiration]

Hey!
Don't feel stupid...there are a lot of different ways to do it. That's a great question IMO.

The first times I CO washed I used con (DDTA) like it was poo. I concentrated on the length, but I was substituting the poo nevertheless. Then I would apply a moisturizing con (Humectress) or a reconstructor (Keraphix) on after that and proceed as if I had pooed.

Then I found a way that works better on my hair. Instead of using the con like poo, I just rinse really well with water as if I'm rinsing poo out. Then I apply my conditioner concoction and DC as usual. I've gotten much better results with this method...not entirely sure why. Perhaps the conditioners counteract the other's effects

So Method 1 is:
Rinse
"Lather" with con as if it was poo (repeat if necessary)
Rinse
Apply conditioner mix
Let sit/deep condition
Rinse

Method 2 is:
Rinse thoroughly with tepid water
Apply conditioner mix
Let sit/deep condition
Rinse


Like I said, Method 2 has been the more successful method for me. I know that some ladies apply con to dry hair, then rinse.
So your question is an excellent one b/c everybody's got their own little way of CO washing.

 

[brownsugar9999]

Thank you thank you thank you....

So I need to deep condition after EVERY co-wash?
And do I do it daily? i just tried the surge product, so should I be co-washing every day?

 

[Divine Inspiration]

Thank you thank you thank you....

So I need to deep condition after EVERY co-wash?
And do I do it daily? i just tried the surge product, so should I be co-washing every day?

You're welcome!! Don't mention it...
Well, that's something else that varies tremendously. I personally deep condition with heat for a minimum of 20 minutes b/c my cons don't seem to perform NEARLY as well without heat. For me, one deep condition per week is mandatory, the other time I may sit with a cap w/o heat...but I really try to squeeze it in to every wash.

Girl, I can't advise you on the frequency. That is such a personal decision. I don't CO wash every day for a lot of reasons:
1) I don't want to manipulate my hair that much (this was constitute a need for combing every day which I don't currently do)
2) I don't have time to wash my hair every day
3) My hair holds on to moisture for dear life and I would forever have wet hair if I tried to wash every day

Some ladies on the board CO wash every day, and I hear you can get really great results from it. If life were less hectic, I would definitely give it a try. As far as CO washing using growth products, I think that varies as well. I used to use Surge and I didn't wash any more frequently b/c of it. I wash on my normal schedule and didn't notice any adverse reactions from not washing more often.
I think both the frequency of CO washes and the context of CO washes and Surge are trial & error. You can definitely grab ideas from the ladies here, but you may have to do some tweaking on your own to find what works best for you and your strands.
HTH...

 

[Porsche19]

My method is to apply on dry hair, detangle, braid it up into about 12 braids (just to keep imy fresly detangled hair from tangling up again) then rinse inthe morning.

It gives a light deep conditioning during the night.... with the same benefits as a co wash.

To tell the truth, I've stopped rinsing in the morning. I just take the braids down and add some oil. I rinse and repeat the whole process at night.

 

[brownsugar9999]

Porsche11,

no buid up w/ that? I notice sometime when I leave my hair moist for long periods pf time, it just starts coming out in long strands. i don't think it's shedding though.
I just did my fist CW tonight... and I'm trying to figure out how on earth it will dry before I do it again tomorrow. I used some Sure 14 (burned a little on scap, but then was fine) and some WGO, pulled it back an letting it pony air dry. But I KNOW it'll still be wet tomorrow.
Sacrifices, sacrifcies.
Divine/Porsche.....my head of hair thanks you!!!!:notworthy

 

[simplycee]

Here's what I do: I apply con to dry hair, concentrating on my ends a few mins before I get in the shower then rinse thoroughly in the shower. I found this works best for my hair and is great for my ends.

 

[brownsugar9999]

Here's what I do: I apply con to dry hair, concentrating on my ends a few mins before I get in the shower then rinse thoroughly in the shower. I found this works best for my hair and is great for my ends.

Absolutely GORGEOUS head of hayar........Mine always grows back into a V shape regardless of the cut.......
Keep up the Beautiful work

Your follicular Friend
Secret Squirrel

 

[bajanplums1]

I keep it simple

1. Saturate with Salerm 21 the night before
2. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water
3. Apply conditioner (Super 10 en 1) for 10-20 minutes with cap.
4. Rinse

 

[brownsugar9999]

Thank you...

I'll collect each alternative, and switch up according to my time constraints!!!

 

[brownsugar9999]

I keep it simple

1. Saturate with Salerm 21 the night before
2. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water
3. Apply conditioner (Super 10 en 1) for 10-20 minutes with cap.
4. Rinse

GIRL>>>>>is your hair running a race??? B/c there's a WHOLE lot of growth b/t Jan and now, and I mean HEALTHY!!!!
Are you vitamining, too?

 

[bajanplums1]

LOL. I was not taking vitamins from May to October, but I am on them again now. I take the one's listed in my signature and pics of them are in my album.

Plus every meal I eat, I am conscious of my protein intake. Protein grows my hair.

I checked out your album and your hair is incredible considering the permanent color..

 

[brownsugar9999]

Thank you. Actually, It's been BLEACHED to death, and still feels really soft...been doing it for YEARS. Hair SHOULD be in my pocket, and NOT ON MY HEAD!!!!!However, if I had to chemically straighten, I'd be BALD>>>>
As for protein, my husband and I did the Atkins thing a few years back for about 3 months, and now the protein intake, and whey protein shakes are like a part of life now.....
I don't eat red meat or fish, so plenty plenty of chicken and turkey. (and candy...lot's of it)
But now my hair growth has just come to a screaching halt.
I haven't done anything different from the past.
Maybe it's just catching up with me...I don't notice the ends breaking off, but they probably are. Plus I over-comb/ over- brush. If I could ssit with one hair style for more than 2 days, maybe I'll be OK!!!!
Regrds,
The Squirrel

 

[Jewell]

I am not currently CO washing because I have color and since its henna I don't want it to fade...but on ocassion I CO daily (usually in warmer months) or maybe a couple times a week. I wet my hair, apply the conditioner, let it stay on under a plastic cap/towel (in shower) for about 5-10 mins, and rinse. That's it.

 

[blackbarbie]

Okay, DUH how do you do it? Please enlighten me b/c I feel STUPID!!!!

Girl I am so glad you posted this!! I was sitting at work intending to do a post about it (actually went to get the open end hair pins during lunch!). I think I will be doing my hair the exact way you are doing yours right now, but I would like to co-wash every 2 or 3 days before I go to bed, pull it back in a bun and tie a silk scarf around it and not bother it until the next co-wash, then shampoo on the weekends. I am hoping that by the next morning, hair will be mostly dry. Let me be sure I am getting this right:
-Apply conditioner to dry hair and rinse out like you're doing a shampoo. Really same as doing a shampoo except just use conditioner? Use leave in (I use Surge too, will probably use Rusk as well) and slick hair back into a nice bun.
-Is it o.k. that I deep condition once a week (on the weekend) like I normally do?

I am 9 weeks post and want to go 12 or even 16 weeks and want to try co-washing. I also find that wearing my hair up in the fall/winter keeps it from the elements and keeps it from rubbing against everything, which is a good thing.

BS, what is going to be your ultimate routine? I would like to do something similar. In fact, I was going to do my first CW tonight!!

 

[brownsugar9999]

Girl I am so glad you posted this!! I was sitting at work intending to do a post about it (actually went to get the open end hair pins during lunch!). I think I will be doing my hair the exact way you are doing yours right now, but I would like to co-wash every 2 or 3 days before I go to bed, pull it back in a bun and tie a silk scarf around it and not bother it until the next co-wash, then shampoo on the weekends. I am hoping that by the next morning, hair will be mostly dry. Let me be sure I am getting this right:
-Apply conditioner to dry hair and rinse out like you're doing a shampoo. Really same as doing a shampoo except just use conditioner? Use leave in (I use Surge too, will probably use Rusk as well) and slick hair back into a nice bun.
-Is it o.k. that I deep condition once a week (on the weekend) like I normally do?

I am 9 weeks post and want to go 12 or even 16 weeks and want to try co-washing. I also find that wearing my hair up in the fall/winter keeps it from the elements and keeps it from rubbing against everything, which is a good thing.

BS, what is going to be your ultimate routine? I would like to do something similar. In fact, I was going to do my first CW tonight!!

ROUTINE?????? oh Jeez...I'm so flaky and finicky that I couldn't really say!!! But I have restrted taking My GNC Hair, Skin, and Nails VIts, my B complex, and an additional MSM tablet w/ the rest....
I'm pretty high on the protein intake chart (milks, cottage cheese, ceese, chicken.......)
But I think for the next 14 days , at least, b/c I washed and ponytail/ air dried last night AND IT"S STILL 30% wet!!!!!!!! So maybe a CW eveynight for 14 days, then every other for the remainder of the 2 weeks.
I guess I'll CW w/ 1 of 3 things (alternating each time)
1. Nexxus Ensure
2. Matrix Fulfyl
3. Infusium 23 conditioner

Deep Condition once every 3 days w/ a combination of 4 oz Motions Protein Reconstructor, 3/4 oz cocnut oit, 1/2 oz olive oil (sit under dryer for 30 minutes).
At the end of 1 month, I may do an apHogee treatment (but if hair nice and moist, I'll skip it)
No direct heat...
Buns
Pin curls
God knows what else
I have to find some variety b/c I will go crazy wearing the same style over and over.........

Surge twice a day, everyday.
Surge Moisture-Aide/ Woogee
WGO every 3 days (5 drops)

I'm adding a new pic to my Fotki albu as we speak.....

If you have any ideas, hit me up...we can GROW together......
Squirrel

 

[caligirl]

I rinse my hair really well in the shower and massage my scalp. Then I add conditioner as a leave in. That's it. I may comb the conditioner thru if its tangled, rinse, then apply more conditioner as a leave in.

 

[brownsugar9999]

I rinse my hair really well in the shower and massage my scalp. Then I add conditioner as a leave in. That's it. I may comb the conditioner thru if its tangled, rinse, then apply more conditioner as a leave in.

Greeeeeaaat point, Caligirl.
I comb thru in the shower w/ cond on head too....keeps it manageable when I get out

 

[Synthia]

I condition wash daily in the mornings before goign to work. I do this because I love the body and style of fresh hair and I don't like to comb old or dry hair. Combing hair after a conditioning is a breeze.

Here's my routine.

1. Sleep in oil or MTG bath under a silk scarf.
2. In the morning, let the shower water bathe my hair and rinse all the oil out. I might separate sections or lightly massage ... but I really don't do shampoo motions or lots of manipulation.

3. Then, I slather on conditioner. Sometimes I comb it through or just massage it through. Then I leave it on while I scrub, do some shaving, wash my face, etc -- all in the shower!

4. Once my personal stuff is done, I rinse the conditioner out (about 5 minutes ..sometimes just 3 ... doesn't matter because when you CO every day you hair gets conditioned quite sufficiently and more is overkill.)

5. I towel dry and apply nothing. This allows my hair to dry really fast. I shake my hair dry every five minutes are so too. IT takes about an hour to get dry enough that I can apply rollers.

6. Right before rollers, I sprtiz with a light leave-in and comb through (i'm using Kenra now... I don't need creme because the night oil and conditioner have thoroughly moisturized my hair.)

7. Then, I Caruso curl my hair with just three or 4 rollers in about five minutes.

Then, I comb the curls out and wala! The roots continue drying as I'm on my way to work. But because the ends dry fast I can curl it and go.


This is the perfect routine for me ..because I get fresh hair with body daily and my hair gets lots of moisture...and my scalp gets daily massages for circulation.

 

[Divine Inspiration]

Porsche11,

no buid up w/ that? I notice sometime when I leave my hair moist for long periods pf time, it just starts coming out in long strands. i don't think it's shedding though.
I just did my fist CW tonight... and I'm trying to figure out how on earth it will dry before I do it again tomorrow. I used some Sure 14 (burned a little on scap, but then was fine) and some WGO, pulled it back an letting it pony air dry. But I KNOW it'll still be wet tomorrow.
Sacrifices, sacrifcies.
Divine/Porsche.....my head of hair thanks you!!!!:notworthy

"Your hair" is welcome!