Can your hair be combed if only washed? No conditioner or oil?

[tiny_teesha]

I am just wondering. I can't remember the last time i ran a comb through my unconditionered un oiled hair. I don't even know if it were ever possible. Is it possible?
My hair is pretty damaged and i can't remember putting a comb through without lashings of coconut oil. Just wondering if it is possible or not, then i don't have to feel bad :)

[FrannyG]

Well, I've never been able to easily run a comb through my hair without conditioner, even back in the days when I had virgin hair. If I didn't use conditioner, I'd have to spend a very long time finger combing my hair and breaking up knots before I could even consider trying to comb my hair.

Let me put it this way; I'm not even going to attempt such a thing.

[ladystar]

Theres no way that I can lol. I have tried and my hair starting shedding. Never again.

[Islandgrrl]

Uh, no way. I don't actually even own a comb. :(

[Gladtobemom]

I do it before I Henna.

I'm very careful how I wash too. Making sure I don't introduce any more tangles that absolutely necessary.

[Saranne772]

It just doesnt work without conditioner. Ever!

[Bloodflower]

It's been a long time since I last tried that. But I can tell it wouldn't work because when I take a shower I clearly need conditioner to run my fingers through my hair. Even with lots of water running down the length which should give extra slip I need conditioner. Also when I detangle my hair after washing the hair near my scalp that doesn't get touched by conditioner is much harder to detangle.

[paper]

It's been a long time since not using conditoner. But, I can remember not being able to comb it.

[Anje]

Well.... maybe? I could definitely comb my hair when I was WO washing, and it worked pretty well when I was using shampoo bars with a vinegar rinse, too. Regular shampoo might be another story, though. I could probably do it, but I'd really rather not. My hair is much better post-conditioner.

[florenonite]

I don't comb my hair anyway, but I used to comb after just shampooing and my hair was in ok condition (I had less stringent standards then, though, so I thought it was good).

[Boon]

I guess it's possible, but difficult. I don't think I want to try, hehe.

[eadwine]

I can. But it is easier after the conditioner part :)

[Cichelle]

I can comb my hair without conditioner if I use a mild shampoo bar with a moderate oiling before hand. Using regular shampoo and then trying to comb through my hair....nah-uh. No way. Sure, I could manage it, but that's just asking for damage.

[mira-chan]

I can, even after a just shikakai wash. The comb doesn't go as smoothly as with oil/ conditioning herbs but not too much problem. This is only dry, I don't comb hair wet.

[Curlsgirl]

Haven't even tried in ages. But I seriously doubt it, at least without lots of breakage :shudder:

[harley mama]

No, I never could. I am a faithful conditioner junkie! And I use oils, too.
I wouldn't even try to detangle without it!

[Siamese]

No conditioner here. I detangle with my fingers, then use a wooden comb to smooth out.

[doodlesmart]

I only use conditioner on the last 2-3 inches of my hair, where I still have a bit of dye damage. I am able to comb through my hair both wet and dry. The trick for me to do it wet is to fully detangle before I hop in the shower. FWIW I use a horn comb from heavenly harvest.

[daydreamer]

I can as well, used to do it when I was Water Only. The comb sure picks up a lot more gunk that way and takes longer, but possible! I must say it is vastly easier and less stressful on my hair to use conditioner.

[Starr]

No way, no how could I ever do it. . . such a scary thought! :run:

[jojo]

I can but it takes forever and I hear the horrible 'snap snap' sound, so I prefer to have conditioner in first.

[Carina]

I have never tried that.But now you 've got me curious.I might just try it the next time I wash my hair:agree:

[Sceleste]

I have no problems combing my hair without conditioner but only when hair is completely dry. Even if I use conditioner I can't comb wet hair.

Having really straight hair is probably the reason I can comb hair without conditioner.

[TheBlondeApple]

Depends on the washing method. If I used SLS (or any harsh cleanser) shampoo, it's a dread. If I used a shampoo that my hair thinks is mild, it will work. Not great.

Or I can just use a diluted white vinegar rinse instead of conditioner
after a mild shampoo.

Anja

[EnkaiNami]

O_O; I don't even remember a time in my life where my hair didn't have conditioner on it when washed. I remember my mom washing my hair when I was two, and she always used shampoo and conditioner. I'm not sure, but I don't think it would go well.

[sapphire-o]

I do that all the time, in wet or dry hair. I don't use conditioner at all and only do light oiling second day after wash. The perk of slippery hair I guess.

[Katurday]

Definetly. I do it all the time to tame tangles.
Slippery hair is a gift.
Especially soft yet slippery hair. =3

[ajr]

If I shampoo my hair and then let it dry I think it'd be pretty easy. Without conditioner my hair isn't more tangly so much as it's a fly away mess.

[Finoriel]

Sure it´s possible. I do that all the time :) but I only comb dry hair, never wet or damp and I use an acidic rinse after washing to smooth the cuticle. A very wide toothed horn comb works best for me. Only very light oiling as needed (not daily) on the very ends of my hair. I assume it´s my hairtype which makes this so easy.

[Cinnamon Hair]

I can comb it after just using shampoo with no follow-up product, but I wouldn't want to. Could take a loooonnnggg time. I haven't tried, but judging from the texture after a full shampoo over scalp and length, I'd say it would be a 30 minute or so project.

[LaCitoyenne]

I wish! Maybe if I had super-soft water. No, I need conditioner. Not even oiling is a substitute for that.

[KatKeRo]

I'm part of the minority: I never condition and oil my hair but comb it without problems every morning. I have 2a hair.

[savi]

Yes it can be combed, completely doable.
The only rule I have is thou shall not comb hair while it is still wet. I've had hairdressers going crazy because it tangles instantly if tried to comb wet. They think it's tangle free but once it leaves your hands.. :magic:

[Nevermore]

I used to do it all the time, as a kid my mother quit buying the 2 in 1 kids shampoo because the smell bothered her and got me typical adult, SLS shampoo without conditioner because she "didn't believe in" it for kids *insert eye rolling smiley* Anyway, my hair is harder to comb without conditioner and I wouldn't do it if I had a choice, which I now do, but it's not anywhere near impossible, just less pleasant.

[Riot Crrl]

Sure I can! I just break half of it out. :?

[Cinnamon.locks]

I guess it would depend on hair length, people and how it is combed. I can never put even my fingers through my hair unless i use conditioner. I tried it once and was almost forced to cut the knots out of my hair, which would have meant cutting my hip-bone length hair to above shoulders, the tangles were so bad without conditioner, so i went back into the shower, coated the hair in deep treatment conditioner and left it on for almost an hour before rinsing and then i was able to comb through the tangles. and even then i lost alot of knotten hair before i finished combing wet. so i would not recommend going without conditioner. but of course that is up to the specific person.

[EvaSimone]

uhh.. no. I can't even run a finger through my hair if it's not oiled or conditioned.

The only exception was with shampoo bars and I had to let my hair completely dry before even trying to touch it with a comb.

[Angellen]

If I don't use enough 'conditioner' (CV bar soap) on my length, then I can comb it out but it will be so tangle prone that just bringing it over my shoulder will make it totally tangled again. I don't always oil, so I'm not sure about that effect on my combing abilities.

[Dacia]

Yes, but in this situation I prefer to comb it once it's dry; it depends on the shampoo I use, sometimes a full of 'cones one gives a better condition, yet lighter than S&C.

[Amoretti]

I have to use conditioner if I want to detangle it. I'd have a rat's nest on my head if I didn't! LOL.

[Nini]

Yup, I do it every second day:) The longer I wait the better it is of course.

Nini

[morningstar]

Last night I tried not using condish. I used my first poo bar and a vinegar rinse. I combed tons of my hair out...:( I will not do that again with out condish.

[rhubarbarin]

NO!!

Under no circumstances do I try to finger-comb my hair without condtioner. Using oil doesn't work. The only time I detangle or run my fingers through it is when it's wet and conditioned.

I never have 'rat's nests' or visible tangles, but my hair might as well be a solid mass. It's impenetratable (it also breaks very easily). Just ask my boyfriend, he's been caught in it many a time.

[LynnM]

Comb? No, I don't ever use a comb on my hair. Brush, maybe, but I end up destroying my hair. I am with those who cannot even finger-comb their hair without working through tangles, even with CO washing! My hair is wavy enough to tangle when long, but not enough to leave it alone (i.e., it looks like crap if I don't brush it at some point, but isn't straight enough to be tangle-free). I am careful when I wash, too, but that doesn't help. I have hard water, and I'm sure that doesn't help, either. I didn't notice any difference with WO washing in this.

[tiny_teesha]

I should have made this a poll. (Now i realise!) I think by my original question i ment that if you wash your hair (how ever you do) and NOT use oils or conditioner (which add slip) can you grab a comb and have it glide through your hair once dry, lol. Anways it seems that this many people said "yes" but about 5-10 had aids or used a washing method that was favourable to it- instead of just having smooth slippery hair.

My answer is while yes i CAN (it is physically possible) it takes A LOT OF EFFORT and it does not GLIDE it takes a long time and causes more splits- so i make it impossible because it is so damaging!!!!!

Gladtobemom , Anje, florenonite, eadwine, mira-chan, Siamese, doodlesmart, daydreamer, jojo, Sceleste, TheBlondeApple, sapphire-o, Katurday, aje, Finorie, Cinnamon Hair, KatKeRo, savi, Angellen, Dacia and Nini.

that is 21(11-16 truely) out of 43 people!!!! Which is about a quarter :). Ok so i am not the lucky minority, but at least i am the majority! It makes me feel better that most of us can't :)

[TheSpottedCow]

I don't comb anymore, only finger comb, but in the past I have shampooed only and then combed it out. It is much more likely to break because of the tangles, but it is possible. My hair was much shorter than, by 6-8". It just takes FOREVER and requires extra gentleness. With longer hair now I'm not sure how well it would work and I'm not willing to try. The only times I've gone without condish is when I've run out and have to wash my hair because I spilled food in it or something strange like that.

[Magicknthenight]

I always condition my hair and i can comb it when its wet or dry. I cant remember the last time i didnt use condictioner! However when i put EVOO in my hair i really have a hard time combing it and when i put enough its really impossible. Im sure without condictioner combing my hair would probably be alot harder. I wanted to try some different oils but all i ever see at the store is EVOO.:confused:
I wonder if those would make my hair tangly like EVOO does?

[Fencai]

i have to use conditioner every time. I CWC 2-3 times per week, and vinegar rinse once.
If i try to even run my fingers (or comb or brush) when when without using conditioner, its a nightmare! I generally do my thing in the shower, and use a wide tooth shower comb and comb it out under the water and then wait until its totally dry before attempting any more detangling!

[LynnM]

I always condition my hair and i can comb it when its wet or dry. I cant remember the last time i didnt use condictioner! However when i put EVOO in my hair i really have a hard time combing it and when i put enough its really impossible. Im sure without condictioner combing my hair would probably be alot harder. I wanted to try some different oils but all i ever see at the store is EVOO.:confused:
I wonder if those would make my hair tangly like EVOO does?

Yikes!

Is your hair tangly without the EVOO? (i.e., could it be your conditioner?) Do you use cones, or no?

A lot of us buy oils online, I imagine, or spend a chunk of change at a health-food store. I've seen coconut oil at Wal-mart, though - perhaps you could try that one? I've never had great success with evoo, although I sometimes put it in my henna mix for moisturization... only shea butter or coconut oil help me with tangliness. How much do you add to your hair, and when?

[Silver Strands]

Very easily with a vinegar rinse
and without, I have to let it dry
and the tangles all seem to fall out.

[Loreyanne_H]

Without conditioner it's only screams. My tangles make my hair look fuzzy when they're dry if I don't comb them when they're wet.

[Forever_Sophie]

Sure, it "could" be done, but it wouldn't be a pleasant experience! I use tons and tons of conditioner.

[susiemw]

Definitely, not possible. I don't try. If I didn't use conditioner as a detangler it would be a disaster. I run a pick through my hair when the conditioner is in it and unless I'm going to braid it later in the day, that's all it's going to get!

As I was cleaning out the closet the other day I found 5 or 6 brushes.... all vent type brushes but I don't think I"ve even used those in several decades. Time for them to be donated.


Susan

[Magicknthenight]

Yikes!

Is your hair tangly without the EVOO? (i.e., could it be your conditioner?) Do you use cones, or no?

A lot of us buy oils online, I imagine, or spend a chunk of change at a health-food store. I've seen coconut oil at Wal-mart, though - perhaps you could try that one? I've never had great success with evoo, although I sometimes put it in my henna mix for moisturization... only shea butter or coconut oil help me with tangliness. How much do you add to your hair, and when?

*No my hair isnt usially tangly without the EVOO unless its windy outside and its down (trying to wear more updos though)..I switch shampoos alot but the one i have been using for quite a while now is Rusk sensories Calm. I use Garnier fructis as a condictioner and herbal escapes free me freesia when i CO. Sometimes i just add a few drops and its not too tangly but if i axidently put a little too much its really hard to get a comb through my hair! When i do alot of EVOO for an overnight treatment no matter how careful i am adding it, it is then IMPOSSIBLE to get a comb through my hair until i wash it out. i was at walmart and went to the cooking oil section and all i saw was Olive oil then things like veggy oil. All ive ever used is olive oil because its all ive ever been able to find! I would really like to try some different things! Also for example when i put EVOO in my hair and then try to put it up its really complicated since i usially get a comb to get it up. I dont know why it gives me tangles. Maybe im putting too much?

[wintersun99]

.................

[tiny_teesha]

Magicknthenight - I've found the same thing, jojoba and coconut actually make it EASIER to comb- for me.

silver strands you are another one of the lucky ones!

[Magicknthenight]

yea i really wanna try some new oils still lookin for them! ^-^

[tiny_teesha]

I hope my hair will be in such good condition that i can not oil or condition and i can still comb it without many tangles!!

[julya]

I think that the last time I could comb through after a wash with no conditioner was at about shoulder length.

[flapjack]

Yeah, I have done this by accident, before.

It was completely dry at the end of the day before I brushed it (I don't comb at all, ever) as usual. The only reason I even knew something was up was I looked over and saw that I didn't bring my new bottle of conditioner in the shower that morning. I thought my hair had been a little static-prone which was unusual, so I assumed it was dry air outside that day. then I realized it was static from no conditioner.


I also went without conditioner all the time as a little kid and never had an issue. And my hair was longer then than it is now.

[wendyg]

Absolutely. I comb my hair wet, because the water gives slip. If I leave it until it's dry, trying to comb through whatever tangles is really destructive. I don't use conditioner, just a leave-in I rub in when it's mostly dry.

wg

[Niphredil]

I can, but I have to be careful, and detangling pre-wash is a must!
I do this before applying henna.

[DecafJane]

No conditioner? I don't understand! ;)

[sexyjacksparrow]

I can comb mine fine when wet, although it's easier with conditioner in to give it slip.

Kerry xx

[Haldir]

I can comb my hair when I don't put anything in it because my hair's used to being completely natural... but it's a little bit more difficult.

[tiny_teesha]

julya- just like the most of us!
flapjack - didnt' seem too bad without conditioner! :) Lucky you!
wendyg - i meant after the hair had dried. Yeh i know combing dry un conditioned hair is destructive- i've tried it a few times when i didnt want to oil my hair, even with conditioner- it wasnt fun!!!!!!
Niphredil - that makes sence! Detangling when wet to keep tangles away after it is dried, and being careful makes sence too, the hair is less slippery do you really need to watch out not to snap hairs!
DecafJane- exactly!
sexyjacksparrow - i meant when hair is dried after shampoo and no conditioner, but yes when wet and conditioned it is easier. I'm just wondering if it is possible nad a very small minority can!
Haldir - lucky you!

[forgetmenotak]

I personally wouldn't even try it. Once I tried, to comb my hair between poo and co and I couldn't. :( I can't even imagine the damage that I would inflict if I didn't condition and/or oil and let it dry that way, I would probably cut it off before tackling that mess!
At least I have company. I can envy hearing the people that don't have to worry about it.

[Lara1]

I can, but it will take a really long time to comb. My hair will be very dry without using any kind of conditioner, so I havn't done that for a long time.

[3c_Gemini_Curls]

my comb would either:

break
get stuck
or get lost



wouldnt chance it lol

[butterflydreams]

I must have conditioner + oil to detangle and I do it twice a week.

[Xandergrammy]

I know I would never even TRY to detangle/comb without conditioner of some sort. :nono:

[spidermom]

It was possible when my hair was shoulder length and layered. Now I'm not so sure. I see no reason to find out, however.

[lora410]

before I would have said no but I did this today. Of course my hair was heavily oiled before the poo so I dunno if that has anything to do with it..hrmmmm