Cowashing doing more bad than good?

[Starronda]

Hey Ladies, I'm a little frustrated. Would like to see if cowashing could actually be doing more bad than good for my hair.

My hair has been a little past APL for going on 3 years. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong to save my life. Then I realized the only thing different I'm doing is working out/cowashing Monday-Friday and DC'ing on Saturday or Sunday.

I only hear good things about cowashing and figured it was benefiting my hair. I get alot of growth, but obviously not retaining length.

I always cowash while in braids, then airdry, I only use heat about 5 times a year, moisturize and seal daily. I use Joico K-Pak once a week if that.

If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.

 

[chelseatiara]

what about trims? are you relaxed or natural? Do you PS? Details woman!!

 

[Starronda]

what about trims? are you relaxed or natural? Do you PS? Details woman!!

@ Details Woman...I'm relaxed, I wear wigs each day, my hair is always in a bun or braided. Wear my hair out about 4 times a year. I have been doing dustings when needed. Never had a "major" trim.

 

[AlliCat]

Yea do you protective style? How often do you manipulate your hair with combs and brushes etc?

 

[Starronda]

Yea do you protective style? How often do you manipulate your hair with combs and brushes etc?

I haven't brushed my hair in years. I use the tangle teazer or denman when I detangle my hair after taking my hair out to rebraid.

 

[chelseatiara]

@ Details Woman...I'm relaxed, I wear wigs each day, my hair is always in a bun or braided. Wear my hair out about 4 times a year. I have been doing dustings when needed. Never had a "major" trim.

How often do you relax? Is your hair mushy when you cowash it?

 

[NikStarrr]

@ Details Woman...I'm relaxed, I wear wigs each day, my hair is always in a bun or braided. Wear my hair out about 4 times a year. I have been doing dustings when needed. Never had a "major" trim.

Yea, I was going to ask if you were relaxed or natural. Me personally, I think that makes a big difference in how hair responds to co-washing daily. When I was texlaxed, I was co-washing daily and letting it air dry, and my hair would always seem to have an issue once I'd gotten a couple inches past collarbone length. Like a section in the back would break off a bit, or one side, etc. And even though I hadn't used heat for like 2 years period, my ends look chewed up when I finally did straighten. I realized that my processed hair couldn't take being wet everyday. In your case, I definitely wouldn't think you hair being wet in braids AND under a wig which would cause it to sit there damp for a long time, would be good for your hair.

Now that I'm natural, I've had no issues with daily co-washing and it's actually been beneficial--so I think the the relaxer part of the equation is the difference for me.

 

[Nonie]

I haven't brushed my hair in years. I use the tangle teazer or denman when I detangle my hair after taking my hair out to rebraid.

I'm confused, how do you use the tangle teaser and denman if you don't brush them through your hair?

I personally think brushes are da debil and that they are responsible for midstrand splits. Recently people have shared how the TT was causing splits in their hair, so it may also be hurting you.

 

[Your Cheeziness]

I'm confused, how do you use the tangle teaser and denman if you don't brush them through your hair?

I personally think brushes are da debil and that they are responsible for midstrand splits. Recently people have shared how the TT was causing splits in their hair, so it may also be hurting you.

*raises hand* The TT had my ends to' up. I didn't notice it at first because it does the job so dang well. But after a couple of months, I was like...

Anywho, is cowashing really necessary everyday? Your cuticle is already not in tact due to relaxers and constantly wetting your hair just opens and closes it all of the time. Your hair may be under a lot of stress. I work out daily and only need to cowash twice a week or so. I'm natural.

 

[BeautifulFlower]

Seems like ALOT of co-washing to me...hair may need less co-washes and more protein.

 

[curlyninjagirl]

There's this effect called hygral fatigue. It's when the hair shaft expands when wet then shrinks back to original size. It's said that hygral fatigue can cause a weakening in the strands and prepooing with coconut oil counteracts this condition.

I got this info from thenaturalhaven.blogspot.

 

[Russet]

Sounds like a lot of co-washing. Maybe you should skip a day or two and see if that makes a difference. Also, try making sure your hair is fully dried before putting on the wig.

 

[shunemite]

I would cut back on the cowashing, ditch the tangle teaser, and then observe the results. Cowashing didn't work for me unfortunately. I was disappointed, but I let it go. So try to cut back on it, and see if that's the key. The TT, I've read some pretty horrific things about it concerning hair splits so I would ditch that too.

 

[Starronda]

I'm confused, how do you use the tangle teaser and denman if you don't brush them through your hair?

I personally think brushes are da debil and that they are responsible for midstrand splits. Recently people have shared how the TT was causing splits in their hair, so it may also be hurting you.

I've used the denman longer than the TT (I've only used the TT a couple of times). I dont consider it brushing because I usually detangle with my fingers and when I'm further into stretching, I'll use the denman gently on tangled hair.

 

[Starronda]

There's this effect called hygral fatigue. It's when the hair shaft expands when wet then shrinks back to original size. It's said that hygral fatigue can cause a weakening in the strands and prepooing with coconut oil counteracts this condition.

I got this info from thenaturalhaven.blogspot.

Great information! I'm going to cut back on the cowashing. I'm gonna try just once a week to see how my hair responds. When I first started my hair journey, my hair took off. At that time I wasn't cowashing at all. Thanks!

 

[Starronda]

There's this effect called hygral fatigue. It's when the hair shaft expands when wet then shrinks back to original size. It's said that hygral fatigue can cause a weakening in the strands and prepooing with coconut oil counteracts this condition.

I got this info from thenaturalhaven.blogspot.

I would cut back on the cowashing, ditch the tangle teaser, and then observe the results. Cowashing didn't work for me unfortunately. I was disappointed, but I let it go. So try to cut back on it, and see if that's the key. The TT, I've read some pretty horrific things about it concerning hair splits so I would ditch that too.

Yup, TT is officially getting thrown out and cowashing limited. I'll observe my hair during this time. Thanks for all the helpful information ladies!

 

[SuchaLady]

I also say skip the cowashing. Its not for everyone. All it was doing for me was adding manipulation.

 

[200AndOne]

do you use shampoo at all? maybe cowashing only is leaving buildup on your scalp?

 

[Truth]

When I was relaxed I would Co wash every other day or sometimes Once a week and my hair thrived. But co washing its not for everyone.. If ya hair don't like it.. don't do it...

 

[SuchaLady]

I really wanted it to work for me! But it didnt my hair was greasy as all get it out when I used a more expensive conditioner the results were neither great nor horrible but sorry I am not cowashing with 10 dollar conditioner

 

[Starronda]

do you use shampoo at all? maybe cowashing only is leaving buildup on your scalp?

Yup, I shampoo once every two weeks.

 

[blueberryd]

IMO, relaxed hair is usually more fragile, and benefits from co-washing/DC 1-2x/week...also prepooing with coconut oil is a good idea...and maybe ur using a conditioner that is too drying or has too much protein in it...i'm currently transitioning (~9 months post) and just recently realized that co-washing 1x a week works better for me than co-washing every day like I used to...oh and u may have hard water, which wreaks havoc on ur hair--exposing ur hair to hard water on a daily basis could cause co-washing to be counterproductive. HHJ!
xoxo

 

[Starronda]

IMO, relaxed hair is usually more fragile, and benefits from co-washing/DC 1-2x/week...also prepooing with coconut oil is a good idea...and maybe ur using a conditioner that is too drying or has too much protein in it...i'm currently transitioning (~9 months post) and just recently realized that co-washing 1x a week works better for me than co-washing every day like I used to...oh and u may have hard water, which wreaks havoc on ur hair--exposing ur hair to hard water on a daily basis could cause co-washing to be counterproductive. HHJ!
xoxo

Ugh, where I live is well water and some people say it's hard water, so I'm sure that wasn't helping. I'll have to keep this in mind. Thanks!

 

[mzteaze]

Co-washing is effective, however, I find that there are limits to the number of times you can do it during a week. For me, that works out to 1-2 a week. Otherwise my hair seems to look worse for wear if I do it too often.

 

[Beverly Ann Properties]

Cowashing for me lead my hair to become over moisturized. I stopped cowashing and started to monitor my moisture/protein balance. It took about a month to get my hair back on track from its lifeless and limp appearance. As a resutl I don't cowash any more

 

[Starronda]

Cowashing for me lead my hair to become over moisturized. I stopped cowashing and started to monitor my moisture/protein balance. It took about a month to get my hair back on track from its lifeless and limp appearance. As a resutl I don't cowash any more

I haven't cowashed in 4 days and my hair is already looking/feeling better. Just a little annoyed that it took this long to figure out what the problem was

 

[AMAKA127]

When i was relaxed my hair did not respond to co-washes well AT ALL. But now that I'm natural, its like the best thing since sliced bread. I would say if you are co-washing that much, your protein/moisture balance may be off. Try a light protein treatment like aPHogee 2 minute or suave damage control at least once every 2 weeks and co wash less frequently (maybe once a week). Also to keep your hair moist under your wigs, try bagging with a shower cap (works wonders)

Good luck

 

[Starronda]

When i was relaxed my hair did not respond to co-washes well AT ALL. But now that I'm natural, its like the best thing since sliced bread. I would say if you are co-washing that much, your protein/moisture balance may be off. Try a light protein treatment like aPHogee 2 minute or suave damage control at least once every 2 weeks and co wash less frequently (maybe once a week). Also to keep your hair moist under your wigs, try bagging with a shower cap (works wonders)

Good luck

Hey AMAKA127!

I've been wearing a baggy at night for a few hours. Take it off and apply coconut oil. I remember my hair use to love coconut oil, not sure why I stopped using it. So right now my hair is in heaven

 

[NikkiGirl]

When I was relaxed I would Co wash every other day or sometimes Once a week and my hair thrived. But co washing its not for everyone.. If ya hair don't like it.. don't do it...

I agree, not everything will work for everyone. I am transitioning and work out 4-5 days a week and co-wash all the time with no problem, but you hair must be telling you something. I wouldn't co-wash daily anyway, maybe stick to just a couple of times per week and amp up the protein. I hope it works out for you and your hair thrives.

 

[equestrian]

Cut the cowashing to 2-3 times weekly. Thats what helped me out