Co-washing, also known as “conditioner-only washing” or “conditioning washing” is a pretty popular term within the natural hair community. The purpose of solely washing with condition is to be much gentler on curls and not strip them of its natural oils.
1. Determine If You’re a Candidate. If your scalp is very oily, co-washing may not be for you. If you have questions, ask your hair stylist.
2. Don’t be Afraid to Use a Lot. Dime-size and quarter-size amount aren’t a good idea when it comes to co-washing. You want to apply enough so that each strand is covered from root to tip. Also, be sure to fully saturate your hair with lukewarm water before washing.
3. It’s Okay to Shampoo. Just because you’ve decided that co-washing is a great cleansing process for you, doesn’t mean you can’t use a gentle shampoo from time to time. Some like shampooing weekly (especially if you frequent the gym) others like bi-weekly or even once a month. Find a system that works for you, but make sure it’s sulfate and silicone-free.
4. Always Use Conditioner Afterwards. And, if your hair is very dry, you may want to follow your co wash routine with a masque or a deep-conditioner.