While co-washing has been around for a while, it has only recently gained popularity thanks to the numerous benefits it has on hair.  

But have you ever reflected on the pros and cons of co-washing? Is it right for you?

In this article we will help you answer these important questions as we will look at both the benefits and drawbacks of co-washing hair.

Pros of Co-washing

If you are on the fence about co-washing, here 8 reasons why you should co-wash your hair:

1. More moisture

Co-washing cleanses the hair and scalp without stripping it of moisture.

Conditioners used for co-washing are packed with ingredients that clean your hair properly without stripping it off natural oils.

Most regular shampoos have sulfates and other drying ingredients that dry out the scalp and hair, therefore co-washing is a great addition to your hair routine if you are looking for some extra moisture for your hair.

2. Softer hair

I bet you love softer hair and co-washing will give you silky, soft hair.

With added moisturization, the hair becomes soft to touch and comb. The secret to softer hair lies in moisture and co-washing gives you exactly that!

3. Better length retention

Co-washing prevents hair breakage therefore you retain more length.  

It gives the hair better length retention while strengthening the hair shafts.

If your hair is prone to split ends or damaged by excessive heat or chemical processing then co-washing is your best bet. It will definitely give life to your strands.

4. Less tangling

Who wants to deal with tangles that come after washing hair? Co-washing will keep tangles at bay because the ends are replenished with oil and moisture.

Hair tangling happens when your hair does not have enough moisture or is extremely dry. Co-washing will make it easier to manage tangles, especially is you have curly or coily hair.

Conditioners decrease friction between your strands, making detangling way easier and thus you can easily remove knots after co-washing before styling.

The more you co-wash your hair, the easier detangling becomes.

5. You can wash more often

With co-washing comes the opportunity to give your strands the extra love they need. Since the conditioner does not strip the hair of any natural oils, it is safe to wash it two to three times a week.

For exercise enthusiasts or people with sweaty scalps, conditioner washing is ideal as you get rid of any sweat build-up on the scalp.

6. Less frizz

Waking up with frizzy hair in the morning is a nightmare. With conditioner washing your curls will be defined and frizz-free from the extra moisture.

7. Less product

Because co-washing results in softer, moisturized hair, you will need few products in your hair routine.

With conditioner-only washing, your hair and scalp are not exposed to the dangerous detergents that most shampoos contain. People with dry hair tend to have an array of leave-in treatments, hydrating hair masks, and oils.

Co-washing will help you reduce the usage of many of these products. Fewer hair products will also save you some coins significantly.

Cons of Co-washing

Whilst there are several benefits to co-washing, here are some cons you need to take note of:

1. Product build-up

Co-washing has a risk of product build-up on the scalp. It is recommended to switch co-washing with shampoo as this will clear off any product build-up.

The co-wash ingredients may get clogged up on the hair strands and scalp and even lead to scalp conditions like dandruff.

A clarifying shampoo used once or twice weekly will save you from any scalp irritation that comes with excessive co-washing.

Alternatively, use apple cider vinegar to clarify. Apple cider vinegar is a great natural product that is good for clarifying the hair hence It will gets rid of any co-wash build-up.

It also stimulates hair growth by keeping the PH level of the scalp balanced.

You can prepare an Apple cider vinegar rinse at home and pour it onto your scalp, and massage gently before rinsing it off.

2.  May lead to scalp Infections

Do not overdo the co-washing. Using conditioner only for a long time will likely result in scalp issues.  You need a sulfate-free shampoo for a proper cleanse and to prevent an itchy scalp. You have to experiment on your hair to learn the best co-wash regimen that works on your scalp depending on your hair type and texture.

3. May not work for people with an oily scalp

An oily scalp means there is more build-up of dirt and grease on the hair. Co-washing may get rid of this build-up but not entirely.

The surfactants in the conditioner together with the hair’s natural oils will leave excessive build-up, especially for people with an oily scalp.

It is important to incorporate a clarifying shampoo at least once a month to get rid of all the build-up.

Having considered both pros and cons, is co-washing something you would go for?