Will CO-WASHING grow your Nappy hair?

Discussion in Fashion & Apparel started by Amaris • Oct 16, 2012.

  1. Amaris

    AmarisNew Member

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    I have been doing some research as to why African American hair rarely reaches waist length. After talking to some dermatologists i have learnt that this type of hair is the driest and breaks a lot. Even the most enriched moisturizers sometimes fail to nourish this hair type. They say that water is the most powerful moisturizer, but then again, water alone tends to make the hair tangle and very kinky. This is where CO WASHING come in, co- washing is washing your hair using conditioner only. From experience i can tell you that the better the quality of the conditioner, the more it works. (I use Dr Miracles Aloe Vera conditioner)I co-wash my hair every morning and let it air dry. I use natural oils like coconut and olive oil there after. My hair has really really grown and i have kissed breakage goodbye:)
     
  2. teamrose

    teamroseMember

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    What do you mean by you use natural oils thereafter. Do you just pour some natural oil on the hair and massage it in? What about hair straightners, do you use them? What grade of hair do you have? Some people have what is called "good" hair and it doesn't get quite as nappy.
     
  3. SpringBreeze

    SpringBreezeActive Member

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    Hey! Interesting method. When you do this throughout the week, do you have a lot of build-up by the end of the week?

    As for the why's... I think 3 other major factors are genetics, chemicals, and the constant cutting of hair. Those of African descent shouldn't compare their hair length to other ethnic groups. It'll be like comparing textures. If you look at pictures of many African tribes, you'll see their hair is short, definitely not waist length. Also, there is a consequence for putting chemical straighteners on your hair and scalp every month for many years. And lastly, "trimming" off an inch every month or 2, as many black hairdressers want to do, doesn't make sense, when on average humans grow about 1/2 inch of hair. You can grow your hair a lot faster if you only trimmed your hair 1-2 times a year. I've been on forums for long hair, and even girls with straight-hair textures recommended to not trim your hair often if you want to reach waist length hair. Some only do it 1 time every 1-2 years. They themselves, use special oils, vitamins, and shampoos, to get waist length hair.

    You may also want to look at what type of water your city gives you. Check out this article:

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    #3Oct 17, 2012
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2012
  4. gina121

    gina121Active Member

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    Have never tried co-washing before. Don’t know how well it works for greasy hair and sweaty scalp after exercise. But, I’ve read some positive reviews about washing hair with SLS-free conditioner alone. Here is one such review>

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  5. Livvi

    LivviActive Member

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    I am not African American so can't help re advice but I did want to say how fascinating I found this thread. I knew that AA hair is more labor-intensive but I had no idea that it rarely reaches waist length! I have a friend who has to have her hair cut at a specialist hairdresser and while it costs her a small fortune, she easily has the best-looking, healthiest hair I have ever seen.
     
  6. Farrah

    FarrahActive Member

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    I damaged my hair badly about a year ago. It seemed whenever I washed my have it just made it dryer. I started doing olive oil treatments once a week, and take biotin everyday. I also stopped using shampoo and only wash my hair with conditioner as well. It has down wonders for me. I year later, and I can see my healthy hair coming back.
     
  7. zoeysmama2011

    zoeysmama2011Active Member

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    I am African American and I co-wash as a part of my weekly regimen. I co-wash after workouts and whenever my hair feels dry or itchy. If you check out YouTube, you will see that this is a major part of the "going natural" movement. Just co-washing, however will not give you long hair, by itself. In fact if you only, co-wash and often, you will end up further damaging and drying your hair out. You should also incorporate some essential oils into your hair regimen, such as castor oil, vitamin E oil, jojoba oil and Shea butter. You will need to moisturize your hair through co- washing first, then moisturize your hair with a product of your choice, and the biggest thing, is sealing your ends. I usually use Shea butter because it is heavier and keeps the ends of my hair from drying out and splitting. If you are also able to work in a protein treatment before you co-wash your hair, that would also be great! (I use 1 egg,a couple tbsp. of mayo, and honey). All this will help your hair achieve optimal health. In fact with care and routine, African American hair grows as long and thicker than most of our counterparts. Don't forget to check out YouTube for more tips.
     
  8. classicnyer

    classicnyerActive Member

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    Do you ever use shampoo? I've heard of some girls who never use shampoo at all and I don't think I'm ready for that...
     
  9. maddie

    maddieActive Member

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    Hmm.. this is good information. I have never heard of co washing hair. I think this will work for frizzy dry hair. Straight hair may just fall flat and limp with conditioner being used on the scalp. I wonder if this cause a build up and further damage your hair.
    A good warm oil massage with castor oil or coconut oil will make hair more manageable. I guess shampoos do more damage than help, despite their claims. Natural alternatives may be gentler on the hair and scalp.
     
  10. Lena51

    Lena51Active Member

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    This is such great information for African Americans. I am ordering this product right now and then use it. All of this information is so wonderful and I am sure this information will do a lot of good for all of us. I use to have long hair down to my but, then after my daughter was born it fell out and it wouldn't grow any more. I use to say what happened that it stop growing and fell out like that. Now I am so proud that I have something else I can try to grow my hair back. Thanks!
     
  11. zoeysmama2011

    zoeysmama2011Active Member

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    I only use shampoo after I experience build up on my scalp. That usually only happens after several days of consecutive workouts. Once my scalp begins to actually itch. I wash once with Terresentials Mud Shampoo, to cleanse my scalp, then I condition twice. Although, it is a cheap brand to some, Suave conditioner works wonders on my hair. I have extremely thick, kinky hair and it ALWAYS works for me.
     
  12. zoeysmama2011

    zoeysmama2011Active Member

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    Be careful and use small amounts when trying a new product. Maybe just get the travel size? I have friends who have tried the Dr. Miracle line of hair products and actually had their hair fall out. They could have been using it improperly or it didn't work with their body chemistry, but use caution with all new hair products until you find what works for you.
     
  13. teamrose

    teamroseMember

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    I wish there was a link to the youtube about the co-washing hair. I want to try something with my hair because it is so hard to manage and will not grow. I think what we eat also has something to do with hair growth.