How Do You Co-Wash?

Shoesoul

New Member
I've seen it mentioned several times while digging around this board (sorry, I don't post much - I'm overwhelmed at times). How do you do it? I've never heard of it before. Is it simply as it sounds?
 

TeaKyoo

New Member
Some people and I do sometimes put baking soda in my conditioner to use when I co-wash. Some people mix a lil bit of shampoo with their conditioner to co-wash. It is a simple thing to do but ya can make it fancy for your own needs.
 

Nonie

Well-Known Member
No, it's not a duh question. I CW differently from how I wash with shampoo.

Shampoo, I use to clean my scalp. I apply it directly to my scalp and massage it in to remove dirt. Then I spray my head with water and as I rinse, squeeze my braids or twist so that the diluted shampoo cleans them too.

When I CW, I do not apply it to my scalp. To me, conditioner is meant for hair not scalp so I don't waste it on my scalp. What's more, it'd only make my scalp itch. I can't stand to have products on my scalp, especially products supposed to coat hair to make it smooth and to protect it. So when I CW, I apply the conditioner to my hair skipping about an inch close to my scalp and leave it on for a bit and wash off. In other words, my CW is not very different from my regular conditioning. The only difference is I don't shampoo my hair first before apply conditioner when I'm CW. I just wet hair, apply condish, wait a bit, and rinse.

CW for me isn't a cleansing process but a moisturizing process.
 

blessedandlucky

Well-Known Member
No, it's not a duh question. I CW differently from how I wash with shampoo.

Shampoo, I use to clean my scalp. I apply it directly to my scalp and massage it in to remove dirt. Then I spray my head with water and as I rinse, squeeze my braids or twist so that the diluted shampoo cleans them too.

When I CW, I do not apply it to my scalp. To me, conditioner is meant for hair not scalp so I don't waste it on my scalp. What's more, it'd only make my scalp itch. I can't stand to have products on my scalp, especially products supposed to coat hair to make it smooth and to protect it. So when I CW, I apply the conditioner to my hair skipping about an inch close to my scalp and leave it on for a bit and wash off. In other words, my CW is not very different from my regular conditioning. The only difference is I don't shampoo my hair first before apply conditioner when I'm CW. I just wet hair, apply condish, wait a bit, and rinse.

CW for me isn't a cleansing process but a moisturizing process.

i cowashed for the first time a few days ago and really wish that i'd found out that applying it to the scalp causes itching. it got on my scalp because i was applying it to my new growth to soften it. well, that didn't work and now i have been clawing my scalp out. think i may have to wash again and wait a few days to relax. stretching is not for me, sadly. i'm sure this info will be really helpful to others.
 

Nonie

Well-Known Member
i cowashed for the first time a few days ago and really wish that i'd found out that applying it to the scalp causes itching. it got on my scalp because i was applying it to my new growth to soften it. well, that didn't work and now i have been clawing my scalp out. think i may have to wash again and wait a few days to relax. stretching is not for me, sadly. i'm sure this info will be really helpful to others.

Have you tried using S Curl as a moisturizer on your new growth instead of CWing for softness? A lot of stretchers have tried it and love S Curl as much as I do.
 

blessedandlucky

Well-Known Member
Have you tried using S Curl as a moisturizer on your new growth instead of CWing for softness? A lot of stretchers have tried it and love S Curl as much as I do.

i haven't even though i've heard a lot about it. which one do you recommend? i am a 4b/4c so i'm not expecting any curl. will it work for me?
 

Nonie

Well-Known Member
i haven't even though i've heard a lot about it. which one do you recommend? i am a 4b/4c so i'm not expecting any curl. will it work for me?



I'm 4B and I don't use it for curl. I use it because it is the only product I have found that softens my hair from the point I put it on till the day I wash it off. It doesn't dry up hard like creams or butters do. And it doesn't get icky sticky like oils and grease does. It keeps my hair moist and touchable and oh so soft.

This is my hair with S Curl on it:

I use this spray:
 

Bouncin&Behavin

New Member
When I first found this board, I thought co-washing was crazy. My 4b hair? Wet? 2-3 times a week? HAHAHA! No way. But now I am a believer! I do it once a week with Pantene R&N Moisturizing or Breakage Defense Conditioner. I part my hair down the middle and wash in two sections just like I would with shampoo.
 

DaDragonPrincess

Well-Known Member
I keep it simple...

I jump in the shower use V05 or Suave which is in my shower already, and wash as I would a shampoo,thats it
 

goodmorningruby

Well-Known Member
On the rare occasion that I co-wash, I just wet my hair really good with warm water, massage the conditioner into the length of my hair in a downward motion and rinse with cold water. Sometimes I don't rinse all of it out. Oyin Honey Hemp Conditioner and Elucence MB are good slippy silicone free products I've done this with.

I don't like conditioner on my scalp though, it creates problems... like itchiness.
 

blessedandlucky

Well-Known Member
thanks for your help, nonie. we have the same texture. i will check it out:)

I'm 4B and I don't use it for curl. I use it because it is the only product I have found that softens my hair from the point I put it on till the day I wash it off. It doesn't dry up hard like creams or butters do. And it doesn't get icky sticky like oils and grease does. It keeps my hair moist and touchable and oh so soft.

This is my hair with S Curl on it:

I use this spray:
 

leigh.hill

Active Member
I co-wash about 4x a week after I exercise. It is a good way for me to rinse the sweat from my scalp and keep my hair soft. I use Trader Joe's Tea Tree Conditioner, but you can use any conditioner that you like. I read somewhere the cheaper the better. I read a lot of women using Suave.

After I CW. I put a leave-in conditioner in my hair, then Chi Silk Infusion and lastly Generic Paul Mitchell Serum. This is my current routine (meanly for the past week :)

BTW - I just discovered CW it last summer! I was just as confused as you.
 

beautyaddict1913

Well-Known Member
i cowashed for the first time a few days ago and really wish that i'd found out that applying it to the scalp causes itching. it got on my scalp because i was applying it to my new growth to soften it. well, that didn't work and now i have been clawing my scalp out. think i may have to wash again and wait a few days to relax. stretching is not for me, sadly. i'm sure this info will be really helpful to others.

I did my very first co-wash last night and my head was itching up a storm! When I searched itchy scalp, no flaking on this forum the suggestions posted by other users was perhaps a fungus or an allergic reaction to a new product...I was nervous after reading that lol...I used Suave Professionals Almond and Shea Butter conditioner but I see now not to apply it to my scalp! Its kind of a creamy one too and I just found that one of my fave youtubers advised that more watery conditioners (like V05) should be used for co-washing and to save the creamy ones like Totally Twisted and Hello Hydration for deep conditioning...this is such a learning process but I am definitely a student on this journey and eventually I can be a teacher as well!
 

buttaflye03

Well-Known Member
When I first found this board, I thought co-washing was crazy. My 4b hair? Wet? 2-3 times a week? HAHAHA! No way. But now I am a believer! I do it once a week with Pantene R&N Moisturizing or Breakage Defense Conditioner. I part my hair down the middle and wash in two sections just like I would with shampoo.

LOL, this is how I always felt too! I'd get a wash and set from the salon and that will stay until I go again 2 weeks later. I must be crazy because I'm thinking of trying it this week. :spinning: What do you usually do with your hair afterwards? Airdry? Rollerset?
 

pookaloo83

New Member
I did my very first co-wash last night and my head was itching up a storm! When I searched itchy scalp, no flaking on this forum the suggestions posted by other users was perhaps a fungus or an allergic reaction to a new product...I was nervous after reading that lol...I used Suave Professionals Almond and Shea Butter conditioner but I see now not to apply it to my scalp! Its kind of a creamy one too and I just found that one of my fave youtubers advised that more watery conditioners (like V05) should be used for co-washing and to save the creamy ones like Totally Twisted and Hello Hydration for deep conditioning...this is such a learning process but I am definitely a student on this journey and eventually I can be a teacher as well!


Really? I feel like the watery ones don't get my hair feeling 'clean'. I have V05 clarifying conditioner. I should try it and see how it works.
 

brucebettye

New Member
Sometimes I do cowashing differently from the way I shampoo my hair. If I add salt or baking soda I will leave the mixture on my hair from 10 minutes to 1 hour then I will wash it out.
 

teacherjess

New Member
I must be weird because I love to use condish all over my scalp and length of my hair, just like a shampoo. I use Aussie moist, which is kind of thick and rich and I don't experience any itchies, buildup, or irritation on my scalp.

It makes my hair sooooo soft and manageable. The comb just glides through the NG at 10+ weeks post relaxer. I was not a co- washer before but now I am hooked!
 

Vintageglam

New Member
Does anyone here co-wash with diluted shampoo.

I am thinking of starting co-washing with diluted sulphate free shampoos?

I kinda feel the same way as Nonie i.e. that condish is for hair and shampoo is for scalp?

TIA :grin:
 

Strangefruittree

New Member
I use cheap suave conditioners or the humectant one and let my hair get saturated with water, put a glop in my hand massage through concentrating on ends but allowing it on my scalp especially if i have been sweating, detangle with the jibere or denman and style. i think getting it on your scalp and massaging and help to do what shampoo does with out stripping, just be sure to rinse it out fromyour scalp and maybe apply a bit to the ends before you get out. I also like to put paul mitchell the leave in conditioner on the ends or the hawaian 14 in one (which i like, but think stinks)
 

HairSupremacy

New Member
v05 and Tresemme(ooh-la-la) are great for co washing. The new growth comes out feeling really soft and manageable. I always apply conditioner to my hair only. Leave on for 10 minutes. Wash out. My hair is super soft!
 

yora88

Well-Known Member
I cowash using Dove conditioner. I apply one pump to the top of my hair and two pumps to the bottom of my hair. I cover with a baggy and handle my shower business. I then rinse with cold water. After I get out of the shower, I use a lot of VO5 conditioner and I detangle my hair and style.
 

leigh.hill

Active Member
I co-wash after a workout with Trader Joes' Conditioner. Stand under the shower, apply conditioner to hair, very little hair manipulation, rinse and repeat...
 

Nonie

Well-Known Member
Does anyone here co-wash with diluted shampoo.

I am thinking of starting co-washing with diluted sulphate free shampoos?

I kinda feel the same way as Nonie i.e. that condish is for hair and shampoo is for scalp?

TIA :grin:

Whatchutalkin'bout Willis? CW = conditioner washing. Main product in the art of CW: conditioner, not shampoo. :p

I think washing with diluted shampoo is just called shampooing with diluted shampoo. :lol: I'm sure a lot of people do this. I have a friend who does this especially with what she considered "concentrated shampoos" eg Elucence. I do know a lot of ladies wearing braids (not me) use diluted shampoo to wash their hair.
 

Whimsy

Well-Known Member
I wash with conditioner similar to how I wash with shampoo, except when I use shampoo I don't rub it into the length of my hair much, I just kinda let it slide down the hair when I am rinsing it out.

When I cowash I will wash my scalp like i'm using shampoo, but I"ll also rub the conditioner into the entire length of my hair, I'll detangle, then I let it all sit while I bathe/shave etc so it stays on my head about 5-10 mins before I rinse.
 
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