Is No Shampoo for You ?

While co-washing is not a new concept, it has recently become more mainstream among many hair beauty seekers.

What exactly is co-washing? It's an abbreviated term for conditioner only washing, by completely ditching shampoo altogether. While some refuse to put down the shampoo, the no-poo movement has many benefits for your hair; it just depends on your hair type. If you are a firm believer of shampooing your hair every day (or many days a week), this process may seem insane to you. I'm here to help you understand just what co-washing does for your hair and whether or not your hair type is suitable for this technique.

What is co-washing and does it benefit your hair type?

Co-washing is ideal for those with dry, damaged, curly, wavy or thick, textured hair. This is because shampoos have harsh chemicals that work to clean all the environmental buildup in your hair, which then causes it to be weighed down and feel frizzy. By skipping the shampoo, you are allowing your hair's natural oils to accumulate, giving your hair a nice, manageable feel. Co-washing is also ideal for those with color treated hair, because the less you wash your hair with shampoo, the less your color will fade away. Less visits to the salon and skipping the shampoo while shopping will save you a lot of money in the long run, too! Who should skip co-washing? Anyone with an oily scalp or those with fine, very straight hair. This is because the natural oils will make your hair look even flatter and feel heavy; co-washing doesn't help treat an oily scalp either.

Conditioner Tips

Now that we got the basics out of the way, let's talk conditioner. You have to remember that co-washing means using a LOT more conditioner than you're used to. There are a good range of conditioners out there that are silicone free that won't break the bank. Do your research, depending on your hair type and scent preferences. Another option is to use a cleansing conditioner; these are especially useful because you skip the part where your hair has to get accustomed to not getting any more shampoo, which leaves you with very oily hair in the beginning of the process.

Cleansing conditioners have a slight amount of product that cleans your hair without stripping it, leaving you with hydrated, non oily hair. Make sure to use a wide tooth comb to distribute it evenly in the shower. If you have very dry, thick or curly hair, leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse; if you have wavy or fine hair, leave on for 5 minutes and then rinse.

But Wait...

While some women swear by never letting their hair touch shampoo, I feel my hair still needs a bit of shampoo every once in a while, due to the hair products I use. I suggest you wash your hair with shampoo once every two weeks; this will help get rid of any mousse , serum or product buildup you might still have in your hair. I like to use my trusty Victorya flat iron by ISA Professional to leave my hair sleek and I've noticed how much time I've saved in styling it since I started co-washing! No tangles or frizz to be seen, and my hair looks much healthier and shinier. I am now a firm believer of co-washing, my hair and hair color have never looked better! Let me know how co-washing has helped you in the comments! SaveSaveSave