Shampoo, Pre-Poo and Co-Wash

In an earlier posts I commented on my disregard for shampoo. I have recently discovered that depending on your hair type, shampooing or should I say cleansing the hair and the amount you do it is indeed important. I thought I should comment on some of the other techniques you can use instead of or alongside shampoo. In this post I am really talking about most generic shampoos not cleansers. If you are intending to use shampoos with sulphates please see my tips.

My Tips for Shampooing:

• Only use 50p sized amounts - this is enough to cleanse the hair.
• There is no need to over lather the hair - you only want to remove dirt and build up.
• Try not to overly manipulate your hair whilst shampooing - as this can cause breakage, so treat it gently.
• Shampoo only once - over shampooing can dry out your hair
• Shampoo the roots of your hair and the scalp.
• Clarifying shampoo are great for removing excess build up on the hair shaft - I would only do this once month.

Substitute shampoo for a cleanser

Cleanser can be a much milder way of cleansing the hair.  

Appy a Pre -poo

Prepooing is 'conditioning' your hair prior to a shampoo using an oil or conditioner

Protecting your hair from the harsh shampooing process.

Provides a barrier between the hair and the harsh detergents in the shampoo, and is absorbed into the hair shaft.

Helps keep in moisture, helps in detangling hair and makes it softer and smoother

Pre-conditions dry hair that may be full of water after a shampoo

My post How to Pre-Poo is a good start to starting your prepoo regime, but no one know better than you what works for hair, so try a few different things and let us know what helps you!

I currently use castor oil and organix coconut conditioner mixture as my pre-poo and the results are amazing - less breakage and it feels like silk

Co Wash

Co -Wash rather than shampoo.

Co washing is cleansing the hair with a conditioner rather and a shampoo. Excellent if you have an active lifestyle. Going to the gym and shampooing everyday is a definite No, No. This cleanses the hair enough and is great whilst streching your relaxer. I co wash twice a week after I am more than 6 weeks post and shampoo once a week usually on the weekend so that I can deep condition.

I currently shampoo once a week on Saturdays and co wash with Curls ecstasy tea tree conditioner on Wednesday

At the end of the day, You know your hair best, shampoo when you think it is needed, but be careful of doing this too often.

Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity

Leilu