Find out if you should wash your hair every other day or weekly!
What is Co-washing?
Co-washing, also known as conditioner washing, is a way to clean the hair without using shampoo. Washing your hair with conditioner, or co-washing, is often considered very good for curly hair. Co-washing consists of cleansing the hair with a basic rinse-out conditioner.
More co-washing articles and videos.
To Wash or Not to Wash?
It seems simple, right? Take a shower and wash your hair daily. Wrong! Washing your hair may seem like a simple task, but you would be surprised how many curlies are doing it wrong. Washing your hair incorrectly can lead to scalp irritation, dandruff, lice and other scalp issues. Certain hair types and textures only require washing once a week, where others
work well washing 2 to 3 times a week. Learn how to wash your hair correctly and give your hair a clean and beautiful look.
How often should you wash your hair?
Many curly girls don’t know how often they should be washing their hair. We’ve done the research and explain to you how often you should wash your curls.
First, let’s talk about what makes our hair feel dirty…
Sebaceous glands are to blame! Sebaceous glands are glands in our skin that secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate our skin and hair. These glands are connected to an individual hair follicle. They are responsible for secreting sebum, the natural oils that moisturize and waterproof your skin and hair. This is why our hair can feel or look dirty.
Now, let’s talk about how often you should cleanse for each hair type.
Should you use a mild-surfactant shampoo, use a shampoo bar, co-wash or water rinse? We’ve got your answers!
This entry was posted on Friday, March 4th, 2011 at 10:18 am and is filed under Care Methods, Conditioning, Curly Hair (Type 3a), Curly Kinky Hair (Type 3c), Kinky Hair (Type 4a), No Shampoo & No-Shampoo Cleansing, Wavy Hair (Type 2a). You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a comment. Pinging is currently not allowed.
March 5th, 2011 at 9:38 am
I have fine to medium textured curls and I co-wash my hair every day. I just love the feeling of clean hair and scalp and giving it a good massage in the process. It isn’t a chore, it’s as natural to me as brushing my teeth! Other people prefer not to wash their hair every day. Whatever works for each individual curly head.
March 9th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
I wash my hair every week, and do a deep conditioner also.
I use shampoo about once a month, because I am low on silicones and virtually no mineral oil.
So I definitely agree with that assessment.
March 15th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Hi , i am using an 100 all natural shampoo and conditioners called Beauty 4 Ashes , and i have type 4a hair since it is also natural would it be drying if i washed twice a week and co washed once a week?( i also work out so i like to wash my hair because i hate having the feeling of sweat in my hair)
March 15th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
Shampooing hair incorrectly does NOT cause lice. Lice has nothing to do with personal hygiene.
March 16th, 2011 at 2:21 am
I just started a low poo routine about a month ago using Miss Jessies. Was very unsure at first, but now I only need to wash every 2-3 days when going curly. If I straighten, I can go even longer. I am currently on day 9 of no washing. Just had to brag to people who will get how awesome that is.
April 4th, 2011 at 9:20 am
Hi,
I have wavy 2c hair and i wash my hair once or twice a week. Maybe it’s because it’s very dry and doesn’t get oily easily. But i tried to wash it day yes day no, and i realised that the more i washed the faster it would get oily…so i returned to the once/twice a week wash. And my hair is much healthier.
I think that washing to many times only makes your body to produce more oil…at least that’s what happened to me.
bye
June 7th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
I have 2c hair like DianaCosta, and I too wash my hair pretty infrequently. If I want to wear my hair down, I wash every 3 or 4 days. If I want to go longer between washes (uh, yeah, I’m lazy sometimes!), putting my hair in a ponytail or bun is a great option. I’m about to cut my hair up to my shoulders though, so the pineapple isn’t going to be an option anymore! I wonder how this will affect my lazy routine…
June 22nd, 2011 at 7:48 pm
i have fine hair. it is very, very dense. i have type 4 hair. i counter against this article. i wash my hair every 3-4 days with a sulfate free shampoo and my hair is healthy and styled nicely. generalizations will never define regimens.
July 14th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
I cowash about everyday:)
November 26th, 2011 at 5:00 am
yo no me lavo el pelo con champoo todos los dias pero mojarlo si que lo mojo para que la espuma no se quede pegada a el pelo, tengo un pelo muy fino y brillante pero tengo mucho volumen
April 30th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
I love this question, because I always shout at the computer screen, “NEVER!”
I have a cross between 4a 4b hair and I rarely use shampoo and if I do, it literally is once every two months, I’ll use clarifying shampoo and that’s only because I was in the pool and I don’t want chlorine eating my hair.
My hair prefers the oils of my cheap suave conditioner; coconut or the vanilla one, they are very creamy, then I use and olive oil hair gel you can get at Sally’s. I rinse my conditioner well and then, slather on a palm of gel in my dripping hair, smoothing the gel on every strand, finally I give a good hair shake, which helps the curls bounce out.
I get tons of compliments on my hair on a regular basis, my straight haired friends totally have hair envy.
I definitely love it.
;-D