People are occasionally astonished when they learn what I don’t do with my hair. Most members of the natural hair community believe that in order to be successful on this path, we must follow specific holy grail actions or utilize certain holy grail things. Even though this is undoubtedly accurate, the fundamental guidelines of hair care have been made so complicated that success is almost unattainable.
I understand that not everyone is struggling and that some of us have an advantage due to our genes, but there is something to be said about the advantages of excellent hair practices. Taking good care of your hair may be much simpler if you keep things simple and prepare ahead of time.
Over the following two weeks, I’ll discuss some of the items I eliminated from my hair care regimen and explain why. So, grab a notepad and a pal, and let’s chat about why I stopped co-washing my hair.
What exactly does co-wash mean?
Shampoos with high sulfates were too harsh on the hair and scalp, thus co-washes were developed. Previously, all of the most popular soaps on the market included sulfates. These shampoos were so effective in removing oil, grime, products, and grease from the hair and scalp that they stripped the hair and scalp of everything. Your hair would be exceedingly clean, but if you used it often, it would feel dry and brittle.
Co-washing was originally done with frequent shampoos to strengthen and “cleanse” the hair without further drying it out. Some firms have developed “co-washes” that include extremely mild cleansers and other ingredients that may be beneficial to the garments.
Why I give up their use:
1. Co-washing your hair does not sufficiently clean the scalp.
A healthy scalp is the basis for beautiful hair. Shampoos are an essential component of your hair care regimen because they may remove any products, grime, oil, or debris that may be blocking your pores, weighing down your strands, and hindering your style from working. Because these products lack considerable cleaning capacity, co-washing alone does not sufficiently remove the product to fully cleanse the scalp. Â
2. Co-washing might add to product buildup.
As previously said, co-washing is not an alternative for scalp cleaning. Co-washes may deposit an extra layer of product onto your strands in addition to not effectively removing products, debris, and oil from your hair.
Dehydrated, dry, and brittle strands may be caused by excessive product accumulation. Having layers of heavy creams on the strands might hinder moisture from being absorbed throughout the washing procedure. This will eventually alter the moisture level of your hair and cause damage.
3. When you co-wash your hair, your style may become less defined.
Having a clean scalp and hair will always provide the greatest results when it comes to attaining the best outcomes throughout the style process. In addition to impacting your hair’s moisture level, the buildup left behind by co-washing might cause your styles to be less defined. Any accumulation left behind (either from the co-wash itself or from its failure to completely cleanse the hair) will hinder your styler from interacting with your hair as intended. This will produce frizzy, ill-defined curls and short-lasting styles.Â
What should be done instead?
In terms of goods, we have gone a long way. Based on your hair care needs, there are various different solutions available to assist satisfy your cleaning requirements. You do not have to avoid shampoos because you are concerned that they may harm your hair. Instead, determine what works for you and apply it as frequently as required to maintain a clean, healthy scalp.
A stronger shampoo (for thorough cleaning sessions) and a moisturizing or all-purpose shampoo (for regular cleaning) should always be in your product arsenal. Rotating them as needed will guarantee that you are washing your scalp and hair effectively while also protecting and encouraging your health. Visit BoldKulture.com and let’s start a curly discussion to discover more about shampoos, healthy hair care methods, and products that could be appropriate for you.
FAQ | Why I stopped co-washing
What happens if I don’t wash my hair?
Long periods of not washing may result in buildup on the scalp, weakening hair and even hindering its capacity to grow, according to Lamb. For persons with finer, straighter hair, grime from dirt, oil, and hair product might appear in four to six days.
Why is Cowash harmful?
Co-washing, particularly if you use oil-heavy hair styling products, may not adequately cleanse your scalp of oils, grime, and product accumulation. And it is the accumulation that jeopardizes scalp health and may cause anything from irritation to dry scalp to hair loss.
What are the drawbacks of co-washing?
According to Brook, one consequence of co-washing is that it causes hair to become dull and thick. She also claims that individuals with thick hair who utilize this procedure have a musky fragrance to their hair. Instead of being fresh and clean as you would get from shampooing.