Co-washing vs traditional conditioner?
First ......................... what is co-washing?
As you may have noticed from last week's blog, we have been discussing curly hair and how to maintain it. Not only is plopping (last week's blog subject) important BUT also your washing routine is vital. It's kind of like going to the gym but eating a dozen donuts when you get home. They both will make you feel good BUT if your goal is to shed the holiday pounds you may not see your progress as quickly. That is because, like your eating habits and exercise routine, your haircare products and techniques are equally as important to the health of your hair. To get results, one CANNOT be done without the other.
You have already learned a new technique and now let me shed some light on products for you.
Co-washing and conditioning are similar, but not identical. Co-washing is a technique where you use of a specially formulated cleansing conditioner to remove buildup and cleanse the hair without the lathering or harsh ingredients, such as sulfates or parabens, typically found in most over-the-counter shampoos. Cleansing conditioners have special cleansing ingredients that gently cleanse and remove product buildup, leaving you with a soft and clean feeling. Also cleansing conditioner leaves very little emollients in the hair, especially as compared to moisturizing conditioners. This is why you need to find the right cleansing conditioner for your hair type and curl pattern.
A rule of thumb that I follow is:
The finer the hair the lighter the product and the coarser the hair the heavier the product.
I know.....it's seems too simple, however this is a great starting point to go with. I typically recommend to my clients with finer hair a foam based product (R + Co Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner or Joico Daily Care Curl Co+ Wash Conditioner) whereas a cream based product (Pureology Hydrate Cleansing Condition or Ouidad Curl Immersion Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner) may work for someone who has coarser strands.
Learning the combination of the right techniques and products will not only help you save money and time but also leave you with less stress and worry about "bad hair days". By finding the right dynamic duo for your hair you will be creating the hair of your dreams while you sleep.