Question For Those Who Clay Wash

[Daina]

Is it possible to do so exclusively or at some point in the month do you need shampoo? I've discovered my hair really responds to clay washing but I am new to it and want to make sure I don't overdue it. My curls pop like crazy after a good clay wash. Currently using 50/50 bentonite and rhassoul with kaolin, I mix with ACV and AVJ. TIA!

 

[GGsKin]

I guess it depends on the kinds of products you use. And what you mix your clay with. I clay-wash consistently and at time it was my exclusive cleansing method. The only time I encountered a problem that showed over time, was when I used mixes that were too acidic for my hair, far too often (multiple times a week).

 

[faithVA]

Is it possible to do so exclusively or at some point in the month do you need shampoo? I've discovered my hair really responds to clay washing but I am new to it and want to make sure I don't overdue it. My curls pop like crazy after a good clay wash. Currently using 50/50 bentonite and rhassoul with kaolin, I mix with ACV and AVJ. TIA!

There shouldn't be a problem clay washing exclusively especially if you are able to cleanse your scalp well with it. There are not able to get a good cleanse with it.

Overtime keep an eye out on how your hair reacts. Bentonite even mixed can be drying to some hair and dry out your ends.

You may want to alternate clay washing with a cowash type cleanser that is gentle or do a water rinse or just condition. Regardless of what you are using to cleanse you don't want to over cleanse if your hair doesn't need it.

 

[Crystalicequeen123]

Is it possible to do so exclusively or at some point in the month do you need shampoo? I've discovered my hair really responds to clay washing but I am new to it and want to make sure I don't overdue it. My curls pop like crazy after a good clay wash. Currently using 50/50 bentonite and rhassoul with kaolin, I mix with ACV and AVJ. TIA!

This is a good question!

Because I've been considering doing some clay washing again since I noticed my curls would pop when I was using my Terressentials clay wash on a regular basis. I also noticed that my hair seemed to be pretty soft.

Idk if I would use it religiously (I tried for about a month, but it was too hard lol! ), but I would def use it sometimes when I need to do a "deep cleanse". In fact, I'm thinking of using it tonight actually.

I think it's just like using a clay mask on your face. I wouldn't use it every single day or even every single week. Only for those rare occasions when you need to "detox" your skin and get that soft glow.

But I do know some who have used clay wash only on a regular basis and don't seem to have any issues with it. I guess it just depends on a lot of variable factors.

 

[NowIAmNappy]

I pretty much clay wash exclusively except the weeks when I do my henna treatment. My last YouTube video was about clay washes and in particular using Rhassoul clay which is not a harsh as Bentonite Clay. I’ve never had a problem with the clay wash and never felt that I needed a shampoo afterwards.

 

[FoxxyLocs]

I'm on month 3 of clay washing once a month and co-washing in between. So far so good. My hair feels softer and my curls are more defined. I use Rhassoul clay.

 

[Daina]

Thanks ladies, appreciate the responses! Like the idea of alternating with co-washing. So far the 50/50 mix along with kaolin has left my hair clean, soft and moisturized.

 

[snoop]

I've been clay washing weekly for about 5 or so years -- though for the past few months I've been stretching out my washes. I usually follow up with conditioner. I've used bentonite, rhassoul, pink, and now kaolin clay (my fav).

I do shampoo once a month only because I do a protein treatment and the instructions ask to shampoo first, but before I started using protein I'd try shampooing about once a quarter just in case.

 

[LonDone]

I've been clay washing weekly for about 5 or so years -- though for the past few months I've been stretching out my washes. I usually follow up with conditioner. I've used bentonite, rhassoul, pink, and now kaolin clay (my fav).

I do shampoo once a month only because I do a protein treatment and the instructions ask to shampoo first, but before I started using protein I'd try shampooing about once a quarter just in case.

@snoop it's great to have some feedback from a long term user, please could you share your method, and how do you clean your roots/scalp doing this? TYIA

 

[Daina]

I've been clay washing weekly for about 5 or so years -- though for the past few months I've been stretching out my washes. I usually follow up with conditioner. I've used bentonite, rhassoul, pink, and now kaolin clay (my fav).

I do shampoo once a month only because I do a protein treatment and the instructions ask to shampoo first, but before I started using protein I'd try shampooing about once a quarter just in case.

Thanks @snoop! Definitely nice to see someone long term clay washing. The curl clumpage I get is unreal especially in my always misbehaving front. Any tips or tricks for better cleansing the scalp? I put it in my scalp but think it didn't rinse it well enough as I had some build up.

 

[Sally.]

clay washing was always so drying for me. how do people deal? i did it twice and never did it again because my hair was so dry that it was hard to wash it without breaking. someone give me some tips.

 

[snoop]

clay washing was always so drying for me. how do people deal? i did it twice and never did it again because my hair was so dry that it was hard to wash it without breaking. someone give me some tips.

Not all clays are the same and the longer you leave it on the more that it will dry out your hair -- just like it would if you were doing a facial -- it's drawing out the oils. I have found that just washing your hair with it like you would a shampoo doesn't allow for the dryness. It stays in my hair for about 2 to 5 minutes. I also follow up with conditioner and then when I'm finished washing and my hair is mostly dry (75%?) I moisturize and seal like usual.

 

[snoop]

Thanks @snoop! Definitely nice to see someone long term clay washing. The curl clumpage I get is unreal especially in my always misbehaving front. Any tips or tricks for better cleansing the scalp? I put it in my scalp but think it didn't rinse it well enough as I had some build up.

I found that with bentonite, rhassoul, and pink clay I would get a lot of build up, especially if I added oils to my mixture. I personally, don't mind a little bit because I have found over the years that if my scalp is squeaky clean from shampoos that my scalp and hair gets dry, flaky, and brittle. I've since switched to kaolin clay which I've found much easier to wash out. It has more of a lotion consistency or like milk if you make it too thin. It also doesn't dry your hair out as quickly as some of the other clays do. I always follow up with conditioner just to be on the safe side. I've learned the hard way that without doing that step I could end up walking around with "sand" in my hair until the next wash day.

 

[snoop]

@snoop it's great to have some feedback from a long term user, please could you share your method, and how do you clean your roots/scalp doing this? TYIA

Short version:
- I mix my clay mixture (a bit thicker than in the video) and I apply it with my hands
- I wash my hair in twists. I don't set these twists specifically for wash day, so if the week's style is mini twists that what I'm washing in
- I concentrate on my scalp. I scritch/scratch a little bit but mostly use the pads of my fingers to scrub my scalp clean
- I rub the clay down along the twists
- Rinse
- Follow up with conditioner

I think that my scalp is alright??? I don't oil my scalp, just the length of my hair. Product will get distributed there anyway because I do oil at my roots.
I water wash sometimes, so I do the scritching and preening to distribute sebum along the length of my hair.
When I remember (which isn't often), I use Komaza Hair Care Pona Scalp Treatment, which is a scalp exfoliator.
Once per month, I use a shampoo to wash my hair prior to doing a protein treatment which hopefully gets rid of any buildup that the clay leaves back (if any).


Long version:

*My wash day isn't as messy as this.

 

[Daina]

I found that with bentonite, rhassoul, and pink clay I would get a lot of build up, especially if I added oils to my mixture. I personally, don't mind a little bit because I have found over the years that if my scalp is squeaky clean from shampoos that my scalp and hair gets dry, flaky, and brittle. I've since switched to kaolin clay which I've found much easier to wash out. It has more of a lotion consistency or like milk if you make it too thin. It also doesn't dry your hair out as quickly as some of the other clays do. I always follow up with conditioner just to be on the safe side. I've learned the hard way that without doing that step I could end up walking around with "sand" in my hair until the next wash day.

Thanks @snoop! I think this coming week I will just rinse a little longer at the scalp. I also think the buildup could be from the Giovanni direct conditioner I used to co-wash and condition after. And thanks for the reminder on the Pona I definitely need to order some more, that stuff really works nicely on my scalp.

 

[snoop]

Thanks @snoop! I think this coming week I will just rinse a little longer at the scalp. I also think the buildup could be from the Giovanni direct conditioner I used to co-wash and condition after. And thanks for the reminder on the Pona I definitely need to order some more, that stuff really works nicely on my scalp.

Giovanni Direct could be causing the build up. It's super thick and isn't meant to be a rinse out. I dilute it down to almost water before using it.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Will be trying:
Koils By Nature's Mango & Mint Detoxifying Activated Charcoal & Rhassoul Clay.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Really like the KBN Mango & Mint Detoxifying Conditioner with Activated Charcoal & Rhassoul Clay.

I used it as a Cleanser, but could definitely see why it is a conditioner. Great Slip and Detangling properties. Very nice. And I will definitely reup.

Totally different from Oyin's Ginger & Mint which is a cowash.

 

[Daina]

Really like the KBN Mango & Mint Detoxifying Conditioner with Activated Charcoal & Rhassoul Clay.

I used it as a Cleanser, but could definitely see why it is a conditioner. Great Slip and Detangling properties. Very nice. And I will definitely reup.

Totally different from Oyin's Ginger & Mint which is a cowash.

Thanks for sharing will have to look into this!

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Thanks for sharing will have to look into this!

@Daina
This is very, very nice.

I caught it when it first launched and was offered at a $9.99 Introductory Rate.

I see now they are $17.99 - so I'll hafta' wait on a decent Sale but trust and beweave, I will be reupping on this.