CO washing transition period?

**T.J** · September 2nd, 2012, 03:21 PM

Hi everyone. Still a bit of a newbie here, so apologies if this somehow winds up in the wrong place or something like that

I recently started conditioner-only washing. I'm aware that there is a "transition period", but I was just wondering

a) How long this period lasted for any other members when they started and
b) your experience within this period (how your hair felt, etc).

My hair currently feels oily, even though I CO'd just yesterday

. I'm really hoping this is normal, as I really want the CO method to work for me.

Any advice? TIA

**katfemme89** · September 2nd, 2012, 03:28 PM

What kind of conditioner are you using? A too-heavy conditioner could be the culprit.

**T.J** · September 2nd, 2012, 03:35 PM

What kind of conditioner are you using? A too-heavy conditioner could be the culprit.

I used the Garnier Sleek and Shine to do the actual wash, and then the Tresemme Naturals as a conditioner

**lmfbs** · September 2nd, 2012, 03:44 PM

I didn't have any transition period at all. I went from daily washing with S&C to CO only every second day, and now can stretch washes to 7-10 days.

My hair felt different - maybe heavier and less squeaky clean, but it wasn't oily.

Did you clarify before you CO wash? I think Sleek and Shine has amodimethicone in it, which can build up very quickly. Usually, CO washers use cone-free conditioners (though personally I use light cones when CO washing without a problem).

**T.J** · September 2nd, 2012, 03:53 PM

Did you clarify before you CO wash? I think Sleek and Shine has amodimethicone in it, which can build up very quickly

Hm, well, I have checked this one, and it hasn't got any cones that I can see. I'm in the UK, and I thought the Sleek and Shine was supposed to be the equivalent to the US Repair and Shine, which didn't have any cones in it

I did try to clarify, but I didn't actually have any shampoo specified for clarifying, I just shampooed twice with what I had. Maybe it didn't work then?

Sigh, I really want this to work

**DarkCurls** · September 2nd, 2012, 03:57 PM

It's safe to keep on pushing it for a few weeks -- up to six, I'd say -- and see if it goes away. It may be the transition period, like you said. I can't say any more than that, because I personally didn't have a transition period, but I wouldn't give up after only a few washes.

Maybe the "conditioning" conditioner is too heavy for you, as someone said.

Funny, that. I never got the two-conditioners thing. I only use one conditioner for co-washing.

Saves time.

**T.J** · September 2nd, 2012, 04:04 PM

It's safe to keep on pushing it for a few weeks -- up to six, I'd say -- and see if it goes away. It may be the transition period, like you said. I can't say any more than that, because I personally didn't have a transition period, but I wouldn't give up after only a few washes.

Gah, jealous, I seem to be the only one having this problem D: Oh well, its just my luck

I never got the two-conditioners thing. I only use one conditioner for co-washing.

I'd like to do it that way, but my hair is so incredibly dry, it needs a moisturizing conditioner, no doubt about it. But I'm afraid that using a heavily moisturizing one might not actually clean my hair, so I thought I'd use the lighter one to do that.

But I guess I will just push it for the next couple of weeks. Thank you everyone

**DarkCurls** · September 2nd, 2012, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by lmfbs

Like DarkCurls, I don't get the 2 conditoner thing either. It seems like a massive waste of time and product to me.

Yeah, that's exactly it.
As for Garnier, well, I don't know the particular conditioner, but I co-wash with the Triple Nutrition (it's cone-free). It works great for me. I tried a heavier conditioner from them, one of the Ultra Doux with shea and avocado I think, and that really left my hair feeling oily. It was definitely a conditioning conditioner.

I thought my hair was dry, but I found a conditioner that was too heavy for it.
It might be the product, actually.

Originally Posted by T.J

Gah, jealous, I seem to be the only one having this problem D: Oh well, its just my luck

Nah, I'm sure it's not uncommon. It's mentioned in every co-washing guide out there.

We're just the lucky ones.

Good luck.

**lmfbs** · September 2nd, 2012, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by T.J

Hm, well, I have checked this one, and it hasn't got any cones that I can see. I'm in the UK, and I thought the Sleek and Shine was supposed to be the equivalent to the US Repair and Shine, which didn't have any cones in it

I did try to clarify, but I didn't actually have any shampoo specified for clarifying, I just shampooed twice with what I had. Maybe it didn't work then?

Sigh, I really want this to work

Ah, maybe it is - I'm not a Garnier person myself because it leaves a shocking oily buildup on my hair all the time - almost like it's sticky.

Shampooing twice with a coney shampoo wouldn't have helped at all - it would have just stripped your hair and scalp, which could explain why you're suffering from oil now. I found my best results were using BS/ACV, then starting CO washing in the next wash.

Like DarkCurls, I don't get the 2 conditoner thing either. It seems like a massive waste of time and product to me.

Don't give up, but if I had to guess what your issue is, I'd pin it on the Garnier.

**Tisiloves** · September 2nd, 2012, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by lmfbs

Did you clarify before you CO wash? I think Sleek and Shine has amodimethicone in it, which can build up very quickly. Usually, CO washers use cone-free conditioners (though personally I use light cones when CO washing without a problem).

Amodimethicone is an amino silicone, thus it is polarised and cannot buil up more than one layer on the hair. Dimethicone and dimethiconol are the ones that majorly build up.