Hair
care does not have to be complicated. Ask anyone with healthy, full,
natural curls what’s their magic, and most will say a simple regimen.
Hair care basics include cleansing, conditioning, and moisturizing, but
most naturals have steps in addition to these because everyone’s hair is
unique. It is important to do what works for you and usually doing too
much never works for anyone. Here are four ways you may be complicating
your regimen, making your hair care journey more difficult than it has
to be.
Using a co-wash after your shampoo
is a verb and a noun. Originally, co-wash was known as cleansing and
refreshing your hair with a daily, rinse-out conditioner. Now, brands
are formulating co-wash conditioners, also known as cleansing
conditioners, with gentle surfactants that help to mildly cleanse and
nourish the hair. Cleansing conditioners are not designed with the intention of replacing shampoos or clarifiers rather to be used alternately.
If you are using a shampoo, then it is unnecessary to follow up with a
co-wash or cleansing conditioner, as a co-wash is a gentler, cleansing
alternative. A shampoo should always be followed up with a deep
conditioner or daily conditioner while a co-wash may not require that a
deep treatment after, depending on how your hair feels.
Cleansing conditioners are not created to effectively remove all oils,
product buildup, and residue on the hair and scalp like a shampoo.
Therefore, using a pre-poo before a co-wash only creates an additional
layer that your co-wash may not be able to completely remove. If your
concern is excess dryness, then either deep condition after using a
cleansing conditioner or use a different co-wash that is less drying.
Daily conditioners and deep conditioners are formulated to restore the pH levels of
the hair after cleansing, so a little dryness after clarifying should
be expected. The softness you feel on your hair from constant co-washing
and pre-poo is probably product residue, which could eventually make
your strands excessively dry over time and even agitate the scalp.
Pre-poo treatments are better suited to precede clarifying your hair,
especially if you have not found a shampoo gentle enough to make your
pre-poo treatments unnecessary.
Using a daily conditioner and a deep conditioner
Using a daily conditioner and deep conditioner in conjunction with
one another is unnecessary. After cleansing with a shampoo or
clarifying, you can use either a daily conditioner or a deep
conditioner. A deep conditioner is a daily conditioner on steroids;
therefore you are not missing any benefits by omitting the daily
conditioner. Use either or. If you are using a co-wash conditioner or
cleansing conditioner (not daily conditioner), then it is ok to use a
deep conditioner after you cleanse.
Even though people use daily conditioner to co-wash their hair,
rinse-out conditioners are not formulating with cleansing properties, so
using a deep conditioner following a daily condition may be causing
product buildup.
Using different products for each hair texture
Most if not all people have multiple curl patterns. This usually
manifest in the crown and/or hairline. It is superfluous to buy products
to create two separate regimens for 3c/4a hair.
It is also unnecessary to create two different regimens because your
have highlights, as the lightened strands are more porous than the
virgin strands. Simply find products that meet the needs of your entire
head. Using products for color-treated hair should work just as well on
your virgin hair. Maybe your crown requires an additional layer of oil,
but I would not buy three different shampoos, conditioners, and
moisturizers because I have a hodgepodge of curls. Do not make this
journey or transition harder than it has to be.
Building a regimen takes years for some and one attempt for others.
Excessive products and product usage are usually indications that your
products may be sub par to your expectations, so remember to take your
time finding products that meet your unique needs so you will not waste
your money and time.
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