Yes you can wash your hair with conditioner. The term used to refer to washing hair with conditioner only is co-washing.

The trend of washing hair with conditioner only has become very popular and it’s no wonder so many people are embracing it.

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Why do people wash their hair with conditioner?

Conditioner washing is gentle on the scalp and preserves the hair’s natural oils. Co-washing conditioners (co-wash) have ingredients that have detergent like properties, that can gently cleanse the hair.

When these ingredients come into contact with water, they are able to get rid of product build up, excess oils from your hair, and bacteria from your hair.

On the other hand, excessive use of shampoos may lead to dry hair as some shampoos rid your hair of its natural oils. It is for this reason co-washing has gained popularity.

Even as a co-wash supposedly does wonders to your hair, it’s important to note that conditioners also has ingredients that attach themselves to your hair when used. This is because conditioner serves as a moisturizer than a cleanser.

This means that as much as it is getting rid of all the bad dirt and bacteria, it may not do a good job.

Therefore, you need to have a balance between conditioner washing and shampoo washing

There are shampoos infused with conditioner to help kill two birds with one stone; cleanse and moisturize.

This can be a good alternative.

Things to consider when co-washing

If co-washing is something you want to try, here is what you need to consider.

Understand your hair type

Co-washing works for all hair types, however experts agree that it has better results on thick, dry, and curlier hair compared to thin and straight hair.

Thick, dry, and curly hair is left with a better curl definition while thin and straight hair is normally left looking oiler.

Choose the right conditioner

Choosing the right type of conditioner is very important if you want to be successful in co-washing.

Choose a conditioner that contains no sulfate ingredients. Sulfate ingredients leads to dryness of the hair, irritation of the scalp, and loss of hair.

A conditioner that has more natural ingredients is your best friend. This works in favor of your hair by moisturizing, cleansing, and detangling your hair.

There are conditioner made specifically for co-washing, these are usually labeled as co-wash. You are better off going for such.

Here are some good examples:

• Gold Series from Pantene Sulfate-Free Deep Hydrating Co-Wash
• Creamy Hydration Co-Wash by Creme of Nature
• Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Shea Hydrating Co-Wash for Curly Hair

Use shampoo once in a while

While washing your hair with conditioner is great and gentler on your hair, conditioner does not necessarily clean your hair completely.

As mentioned earlier, there are chances of bacteria and excess oils being left behind on your hair.

It is therefore important to incorporate shampoo into your wash routine occasionally to avoid buildup of oils and bacteria.

Establish a healthy wash routine

Following up on washing your hair with shampoo occasionally, you may consider developing a stable routine to benefit your hair.

You can interchangeably wash your hair with just a conditioner and then shampoo and conditioner every once in a while.

Transitioning

If you are transitioning from using shampoo and conditioner to just using conditioner, it may take a while for your hair and scalp to get used to your new wash routine.

In the beginning stages, you may feel your hair be oilier than you would want. Therefore, as you transition, work the co-washing method gradually into your wash routine so as not to shock your hair and scalp.

How to wash your hair with conditioner

• Wet the hair and section into four or six sections, depending on how thick and long your hair is
• Apply a generous amount of conditioner to each section to section ensuring all parts are fully coated with conditioner
• Gently massage the scalp and leave the co-wash to stay in for 3-5 minutes
• Rinse every section with warm water
• Once again, add a generous amount of conditioner to your hair and massage your scalp i
• Detangle using a wide tooth comb or using your fingers
• Give the conditioner 3-5 minutes to work its magic
• Rinse with cool water

What to expect with co-washing

• Conditioners do not lather as much as shampoo
• A co-wash leaves the hair completely detangled compared to when you use shampoo then conditioner
• It takes more time to co-wash your hair compared to when you use shampoo then conditioner
• Continuous co-washing without incorporating shampoo occasionally into your routine leaves your hair greasy and flaky
• Relying on co-washing alone is not ideal as it does not allow your hair follicles to breathe as it coats the hair follicles

Does co-washing work?

Here are some thoughts from two youtubers who’ve given co-washing a try.

Kayla – What the Kink

On her first day, started with shampoo and then proceeded to co-wash for the rest of the week. With continuous co-washing she says her hair got softer, and well moisturized.

There was also a reduction in the amount of shed hair compared to normal days and her hair had a better curl definition.

Frankie White

Frankie White on her YouTube video mentioned that her first week on co-washing left her hair dry and frizzy.

However, she claims that her hair was left clean and feeling better. She says that the dry and frizzy effect co-washing had on her hair was due to the abrupt transition she put her hair through.

In week two, she changed her co—wash routine to two times a week, however, it still had a dry and frizzy effect.

By week three, co-washing started giving better results to her hair. Her hair has gotten wavier. She also started incorporating other hair products to her styling and enhanced the co-wash results.

Bottomline:

Co-washing has several benefits of hair and therefore it’s OK to wash your hair with conditioner only but you have to use shampoo in between co-washes for better cleansing results.