| If you wear your hair natural, you are probably | | | | has been said that combing while wet can stretch |
| familiar with co-washing, or washing the hair with | | | | the hair past it's longest point, thereby causing |
| conditioner only. Conditioner washing avoids harsh | | | | breakage. However, many who wear their hair natural |
| results from frequent washing with shampoos and | | | | report that combing while the hair is fully conditioned |
| helps to keep natural black hair soft and manageable. | | | | is the best time for them, as the hair is soft and |
| Co-washing can be done as often as you'd like, even | | | | pliable, leading to less breakage. In either case, comb |
| several times a day (this is a plus for natural hair | | | | hair gently by grabbing one small section at a time. |
| wearers in the hot days of summer). | | | | Comb from the TIPS first, ensuring there are no |
| Oftentimes the question of "How do I co-wash my | | | | snags then work your way to the roots. It's ok if |
| hair?" comes up. The answer would seem simple, but | | | | you cannot comb from root to tip in one stroke. The |
| there are some steps you can take to get the most | | | | main idea is to ease tangles and distribute the |
| benefit from this technique and do it with ease. | | | | conditioner evenly. |
| * First, find a conditioner that works for your hair | | | | * Allow the conditioner to set on your hair for at |
| type. Search online for keywords "hair types" and | | | | least a few minutes if possible. Both steam from the |
| narrow your hair type down to one or two close | | | | shower and the conditioner itself will work on your |
| categories. You may be a combo 3c and 4a. This will | | | | hair during this time. Give yourself a nice salt or sugar |
| help you better understand which type of conditioner | | | | scrub while your hair is being conditioned. |
| to purchase among the many available. | | | | * Rinse your hair well, again with warm water. Ease |
| * Get to know your ingredients. The long, | | | | your fingers through each section while the water |
| hard-to-pronounce ingredients on the label can be | | | | flows through to remove any remaining conditioner. |
| overwhelming. But with familiarity, you can learn to | | | | * Optional: Apply your hair products at this step -- |
| spot which ingredients you want to keep and which | | | | while your hair is dripping wet. Many naturals swear |
| you want to avoid. Ingredients like propylene glycol, | | | | by this technique and believe the best absorption is |
| cetyl alcohol and panthenol are common. Search | | | | gained at this time. At the least, your product(s) can |
| online for ingredients lists. One such list can be found | | | | be more evenly distributed throughout your hair while |
| at | | | | it is sopping wet. |
| * Recommended: Purchase an extended shower | | | | * It's time to dry. Just as with the application, there |
| head/hose. Handheld shower heads with variable | | | | are several ways to dry your hair. |
| sprays offer the best control for rinsing the hair and | | | | (1) Dry with a towel. Avoid rubbing your scalp and |
| are often well worth the investment. | | | | hair with a towel at all costs! Instead, simply dab and |
| * Rinse the hair with warm water. Avoid water that | | | | pat your hair dry, or grab sections and squeeze |
| is too hot (if it initially stings your back, it's too hot). | | | | excess water into the towel. |
| Cleansing results from the action of water plus | | | | (2) Shake and go. Lay your towel across the back of |
| cleanser (shampoo and/or conditioner) and agitation | | | | your shoulders (lengthwise shoulder to shoulder). Grab |
| (hand movements through the hair). Warm water will | | | | the bottom corners of the towel and raise it up to |
| clean hair well while hot water can be damaging. While | | | | your head, almost over your head. Think of Batman's |
| rinsing with water, gently comb your hair with your | | | | cape raised up as he jumps off a tall building! With |
| fingers. | | | | the towel raised, shake your head from side to side |
| * Apply your conditioner. This can be done in several | | | | (ear to shoulder) and left to right (like saying no), |
| ways. | | | | shaking excess water into the towel. This is what I |
| (1) Pour a line of conditioner into your hand (as | | | | call the "no touch" method. Sometimes drying the hair |
| opposed to pouring a dollop) and apply each line onto | | | | directly with a towel can remove products you've |
| parted hair sections. Work the conditioner from the | | | | just applied, even helping to separate your |
| roots to the tips. Continue until all the hair is covered. | | | | freshly-formed coils and spirals. You want your coils |
| (2) Squeeze your normal amount of conditioner into a | | | | to group together to avoid the frizzies. This method |
| large bowl, preferably plastic. With the shower head, | | | | is perfect for the warmer months when you possibly |
| add water to the bowl and mix the water and | | | | can afford to go longer periods with damp hair. |
| conditioner well with your hands. Bend your head | | | | (3) Blow dry, but with care. When blow drying, the |
| over the bowl. With a cup or other small container, | | | | use of a diffuser is best. A diffuser will spread the |
| scoop up some of the mix and pour it onto your hair. | | | | heat from your dryer more evenly and minimize |
| You can then lean further over into the bowl and | | | | potential heat damage. You can find diffusers at |
| wash your hair with your hands directly over the | | | | most beauty supply stores at a minimal cost. If you |
| bowl if you'd like. This allows for even coverage, but | | | | do not have a diffuser, use the low heat or cool |
| note that the conditioner will be more dilute. | | | | setting and blow dry from at least six inches from |
| (3) Squeeze your normal amount of conditioner into a | | | | the furthest part of your hair. Remember, you are |
| large clean spray bottle and mix with water. Shake | | | | not trying to get the hair bone dry -- just dry |
| well and spray liberally onto the hair. Again, this | | | | enough to style and go out. |
| mixture will be more dilute than a direct application. | | | | In summary, with the above methods you'll find |
| This method is great for those who only have | | | | shampooing your hair by co-washing is a great |
| minutes to spare in the mornings. Make a large batch | | | | alternative to traditional shampooing which can strip |
| of diluted conditioner, spray your hair and rinse out | | | | your hair of much needed oils and moisture. With just |
| after bathing. | | | | a touch of practice, getting in and out of the shower |
| * Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb with | | | | with a clean head of hair will take less time than |
| rounded-edge teeth. This step is optional, as there | | | | applying your makeup, and your hair will benefit |
| remains a debate as to whether combing while wet | | | | greatly from it. |
| does more damage to hair than combing while dry. It | | | | |
