How I Conditioner Wash (Cowash) My Hair

I was really skeptical about conditioner washing when I first heard of it.  I just didnt get it.  I said to myself, "How in the world am I going to get my scalp clean with just conditioner.   But it was all the rave on hair forum sites.  There was claims that it was better than using shampoo because you wont suffer from dry hair.  Well dry hair was an issue in May 2009.  So I tried it. But without understanding.  Never try anything without full understanding of why you are doing it and how.  I usually never do that.  I don't know what was wrong with me.  So in short, I tried it.  As a result my scap was itchy, hair was oily and mushy.  Which lead to breakage and I was upset.  And I was dealing with shedding because of my hair cycle and not getting enough sleep.  (Shaking my head)

Can you imagine the horror.  I just started my hair mission and here I go messing up already.  But conditioner washing isn't bad; it was my technique.  Plus I had cut out most of my protein listening to other poeple and that was a NO NO!  What was wrong with me.  I am not a follower.  I tell you the truth.  If only my friends would tell you, I research everything and then make my mind up.  I love info.  I don't know if I told you but I am a protein head.  My hair thrives on it.  I use protein once a week.  It keeps my relaxed hair strong.  So to repair that mishap I went on intensive protein treatments and garlic treatment to stop the breakage and shedding.  Of course I moisturized my hair a lot to balance the protein usage.  It took about a month to get back to normal.  Well after researching this, is what I found.

When cowashing, rinse the hair for at least 2 minutes to loosen up dirt and oils.  Apply a lot of conditioner to hair and massage scalp like a regular shampoo.  Put a plastic cap on.  Shower as usual and then rinse the conditioner out while massaging scalp to make sure scalp is clean.  Also I have to use a light protein conditioner like V05 Herbal Escapes Free Me Freesia Moisturizing Conditioner.  This V05 conditioner has hydrolyzed keratin.  Another good one is Hair One; which contains hydrolyzed wheat proteins.  These proteins are not at the top of the list of ingredients and should not bother protein sensitive hair.   But because I am do this whole personal MN and Castor oil challenge I think I am going to use V05 Tea Therapy Clarifying Conditioner.  Even though castor oil does not clog pores, it is quite oily.

Conditioners have enough cleansing ingredients to clean hair like Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Bromide and Steartrimonium Chloride.  Take for instance Cetrimonium Chloride, "it prevents or inhibits the buildup of static electricity. Cetrimonium Chloride also helps to cleanse the skin or to prevent odor by destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away. Cetrimonium Chloride also helps to form emulsions by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified and help to distribute or to suspend an insoluble solid in a liquid."  Well at least according to cosmeticsinfo.org.

Cowashing has not replaced shampoo completely.  I still use Elast QP or Dr. Bronner's Mix once a week.  I clarify my hair with a sulfate shampoo every 4 weeks.  I usually cowash on Tuesdays with Hair One and Thursdays I cowash with a V05.  It's going great so far.

Moral of the story is.......Know your own hair.  Don't listen to everybody.  Figure out how much protein your hair can take and how often.  Lastly, Research, Research, Research then Research again.

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