Thank you, Ms. Sixx. I went natural 4 years ago and after doing some internet
research, I decided to co-wash. The reason I am still natural today is because
I chose this method.
Everyone's hair is different so I can't say that all black hair needs this, but
I went natural in the past and when my hair reached a certain length, the
tangles caused by harsh shampoos always eventually forced me back to my "cream
addiction". Unless I want to keep my hair super-short forever, co-washing is
the only way to go for me.

I appreciate the tips. Most of them, I've sort-of figured out for myself over
time but there are 1 or 2 new ideas I will explore.

It's nice to know that others who are contemplating a return to the natural
state will have some comprehensive guidance on the topic from your email.

Thanks again.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

-----Original Message-----
From: Miss Sixx <missixx1971@...>
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:29:07
To: <blacktresses@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [BlackTresses] [Au Naturale by Miss Sixx] How to Co-Wash Natural Hair

If you wear your hair natural, you are probably familiar with
co-washing, or washing their hair with conditioner only. Conditioner
washing avoids harsh results from frequent washing with shampoos and
helps to keep natural black hair soft and manageable. Co-washing can be
done as often as you'd like, even several times a day (this is a plus
for natural hair wearers in the hot days of summer).

Oftentimes the question of "How do I co-wash my hair?" comes up. The
answer would seem simple, but there are some steps you can take to get
the most benefit from this technique and do it with ease.

* First, find a conditioner that works for your hair type.

* Get to know your ingredients. The long, hard-to-pronounce ingredients
on the label can be overwhelming. But with familiarity, you can learn
to spot which ingredients you want to keep and which you want to avoid.
Ingredients like propylene glycol, cetyl alcohol and panthenol are
common. Search online for ingredients lists. One such list can be found
at http://sci-toys.com/ingredients/ingredients.html.

* Recommended: Purchase an extended shower head/hose. Handheld shower
heads with variable sprays offer the best control for rinsing the hair
and are often well worth the investment.

* Rinse the hair with warm water. Avoid water that is too hot (if it
initially stings the back of your hand, it's too hot). Cleansing
results from the action of water plus cleanser (shampoo and/or
conditioner) and agitation (hand movements through the hair). Warm
water will clean hair well while hot water can be damaging. While
rinsing with water, gently comb your hair with your fingers.

* Apply your conditioner. This can be done in several ways.
Pour a line of conditioner into your hand (as opposed to pouring a
dollop) and apply each line onto parted hair sections. Work the
conditioner from the roots to the tips. Continue until all the hair is
covered.

Squeeze your normal amount of conditioner into a large bowl, preferably
plastic. With the shower head, add water to the bowl and mix the water
and conditioner well with your hands. Bend your head over the bowl.
With a cup or other small container, scoop up some of the mix and pour
it onto your hair. You can then lean further over into the bowl and
wash your hair with your hands directly over the bowl if you'd like.
This allows for even coverage, but note that the conditioner will be
more dilute.

Squeeze your normal amount of conditioner into a large clean spray
bottle and mix with water. Shake well and spray liberally onto the
hair. Again, this mixture will be more dilute than a direct
application. This method is great for those who only have minutes to
spare in the mornings. Make a large batch of diluted conditioner, spray
your hair and rinse out after bathing.

* Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb with rounded-edge teeth. This
step is optional, as there remains a debate as to whether combing while
wet does more damage to hair than combing while dry. It has been said
that combing while wet can stretch the hair past it's longest point,
thereby causing breakage. However, many who wear their hair natural
report that combing while the hair is fully conditioned is the best
time for them, as the hair is soft and pliable, leading to less
breakage. In either case, comb hair gently by grabbing one small
section at a time. Comb from the TIPS first, ensuring there are no
snags then work your way to the roots. It's ok if you cannot comb from
root to tip in one stroke. The main idea is to ease tangles and
distribute the conditioner evenly.

* Allow the conditioner to set on your hair for at least a few minutes
if possible. Both steam from the shower and the conditioner itself will
work on your hair during this time. Give yourself a nice salt or sugar
scrub while your hair is being conditioned.

* Rinse your hair well, again with warm water. Ease your fingers
through each section while the water flows through to remove any
remaining conditioner.

* Optional: Apply your hair products at this step -- while your hair is
dripping wet. Many naturals swear by this technique and believe the
best absorption is gained at this time. At the least, your product(s)
can be more evenly distributed throughout your hair while it is sopping
wet.

* It's time to dry. Just as with the application, there are several
ways to dry your hair.
Dry with a towel. Avoid rubbing your scalp and hair with a towel at all
costs! Instead, simply dab and pat your hair dry, or grab sections and
squeeze excess water into the towel.
Shake and go. Lay your towel across the back of your shoulders
(lengthwise shoulder to shoulder). Grab the bottom corners of the towel
and raise it up to your head, almost over your head. Think of Batman's
cape raised up as he jumps off a tall building! With the towel raised,
shake your head from side to side (ear to shoulder) and left to right
(like saying no), shaking excess water into the towel. This is what I
call the "no touch" method. Sometimes drying the hair directly with a
towel can remove products you've just applied, even helping to separate
your freshly-formed coils and spirals. You want your coils to group
together to avoid the frizzies. This method is perfect for the warmer
months when you possibly can afford to go longer periods with damp hair.

Blow dry, but with care. When blow drying, the use of a diffuser is
best. A diffuser will spread the heat from your dryer more evenly and
minimize potential heat damage. You can find diffusers at most beauty
supply stores at a minimal cost. If you do not have a diffuser, use the
low heat or cool setting and blow dry from at least six inches from the
furthest part of your hair. Remember, you are not trying to get the
hair bone dry -- just dry enough to style and go out.

In summary, with the above methods you'll find shampooing your hair by
co-washing is a great alternative to traditional shampooing which can
strip your hair of much needed oils and moisture. With just a touch of
practice, getting in and out of the shower with a clean head of hair
will take less time than applying your makeup, and your hair will
benefit greatly from it.

--
Posted By Miss Sixx to Au Naturale by Miss Sixx at 10/31/2009 09:25:00
PM

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