CO: Where am I going wrong?

[irishlady]

I have recently decided to give CO another try. I like the fact that it may help to define my waves more, and is just kinder for my hair, which tends to be quite dry. I also had to chop my hair back to neck/shoulder, because of great stress making me physically ill = excess non-stop shedding/thinning. My hair looks better now at this length, and I'd like to treat my poor scalp as kindly as possible.

I tried it again last night with VO5 blackberry & sage tea conditioner. I wet my hair first, smothered my hair with the conditioner, massaging my scalp gently, and carefully clipped it up.

I left it like this as I went about my shower, then took my hair down and rinsed for a long time with warm water, followed by a cold rinse for shine.

It doesn't look much better than it did before the wash, and is just really oily looking. I did however have a lot of coconut oil in before the wash.

Am I just being impatient? Should I wait it out a bit longer?

Or was it the oil? Or am I just not doing it properly.

My usual routine is shampoo&condish every 2-3 days, and airdry.

Any advice?

[Joribear]

Did you clarify before the CO wash?

[irishlady]

Well I did use a clarifying shampoo the previous wash, I suppose I could try again, I wasn't really trying to clarify it :o

[Macaroni]

In my experience, a CO wash is too gentle to remove a lot of coconut oil.

[pepperminttea]

Clarifying's generally a good idea when you switch to a new wash method to remove build-up, but seeing as you've already done that, I think perhaps the conditioner needed a bit longer to do its thing. When I've done a heavy oiling, I put conditioner on dry hair, put it up, and leave it for 10-20 minutes before I get in the shower. :)

[NaClH2O]

Yep I too can't remove heavy oiling with CW alone...., it needs something stronger...! I don't heavily oil very often simply because it's too much to fully remove it. Maybe pepperminttea's advice will help?

[spidermom]

Conditioners make a difference; some of them don't clean worth a snort, others are terrific. In general, the more basic the conditioner - fewer ingredients - the better it works.

CO worked better for me if I applied the conditioner to dry hair and then let it marinate under a shower cap for awhile (45-60 minutes).

Also, you can't just rinse it out. You have to massage with the pads of your fingers. What I would do is briefly put my head under the shower to add water (remember I started with dry hair), then I'd position my head out of the shower spray and massage from forehead area toward the nape (or the other way if I were bent forward) with my fingers. Going in only one direction reduces tangling. I'd do it until the conditioner developed a slightly foamy consistency. Then I'd rinse.

However, I decided that CO was really too much work and the results were kind of iffy, so now I use the CWC method with diluted shampoo and get consisently good results without drying out my hair.

[SpinDance]

I almost always do a double 'wash' when I CO. First the cleaning with conditioner, then rinse, then apply again, either the same or another conditioner, usually leave that in while I do the rest of my shower stuff, then rinse that. If I use a lot of oil then I try to use a very light conditioner for both steps. Lately I've been using very diluted conditioner (Suave Naturals, any but coconut which has protein) as my washing step, and then non-diluted for the second step. I'm still playing around with the dilution with this method, although pre-LHC I used to dilute my conditioner as well as shampoo all the time.

[celebriangel]

1) As others have said, the conditioner is important. I never thought Co would work until I happened upon a conditioner - originally bought for CWC - which was so cleansing.

2) Are you using enough conditioner? Seriously, I used like a cup per wash.

3) to get to my roots thoroughly, I tip my hair upside down

4) did you wet your hair first? I have to

5) I clip my hair while washing my body then, after taking it down, add a bit of water and massage some more to create that "lather" that spidermom talks about. This is essential for me. I usually finger detangle at this time. My hair has so much conditioner on it that it drops gobbets on the shower floor when I do this.

Note: I do a heavy oiling with EVOO (literally saturate my hair. It's pretty much dripping, if EVOO were prone to dripping) before every wash, and CO works like a charm to remove it all. Maybe I just use a really good conditioner? I'm in the UK though...

Shampoo, for me, never helped me get out an oiling. I was useless at oiling until I started CWC and now CO.

[littlestarface]

I do heavy oilings with coconut oil and CO gets it all out. What I do is I wet my hair then apply alot of conditioner to it and scrub it like if it was shampoo then clip it on top of my head and let it soak in there for about 20 mins then scrub again and rinse it out,if its alot of oil then I do another CO with honey added to it with a more moisturizing conditioner like triple nutrition wait about 10mins or so then rinse it out and do a vinegar rinse with a rinse of distilled water. This gets out any oil and leaves my hair nice, soft and clean.

[sharicat]

Does the Vo5 conditioner have cones in it? US versions don't but UK versions do. If that's the case, it won't work as a 'wash' conditioner. Try the basic range from Superdrug or Boots.

I'm using a Superdrug one just now which removes coconut oil no problem. I find diluting it helps spread it to my mid-lengths well, and tipping my head upside down over the bath makes it easier to get to my roots. And rinse loads!

I've had to experiment to find the right conditioner to wash with, it can be hit or miss!

[Rustella]

I do what the others above do as well, plus just before rinsing I use a wide-tooth comb all through it to detangle. I too found it helped to add a little water to make it foamy and smoosh it through again before rinsing. I also shampoo once every week or two as it keeps my hair from going limp from the COing.

[Chetanlaiho]

Are you leaving it in long enough and are you using enough of it? I use a lot, a lot more than I would use for shampoo. I make sure every part of scalp feels positively 'slimy' with it, and then I put it under a shower cap and leave it there for at least ten minutes or so.

And conditioners definitely make a difference, cone-free is the general consensus, I use (and love) Inecto moisture miracle conditioner =)

[AnqeIicDemise]

I tried CO only. Too much effort for me. Like Spidey I also had hit or miss moments, though my hair was happy with the extra hydration.

I have been doing CWC for about a month and a half now and my hair is still loving it. :D Have you tried that too?

[irishlady]

I tried CO only. Too much effort for me. Like Spidey I also had hit or miss moments, though my hair was happy with the extra hydration.

I have been doing CWC for about a month and a half now and my hair is still loving it. :D Have you tried that too?

I haven't tried CWC no, but I might consider that if CO really won't work for me. This is a silly question but how exactly do you go about washing it that way? Do you put conditioner on first all over your hair like in CO, then shampoo it out and reapply the condish?

Thank you to everyone for your help, I'll definitely persevere for a while with this.

[RubyEmpress]

I Co wash daily and shampoo weekly. This is my CO Wash routine:

Wet hair
Apply about two handfuls of conditioner to my scalp and length
Massage the conditioner into my roots and let it sit while I do the rest of my shower business
Add a little water massage my scalp some more with the pads of my fingers
Rinse, rinse , and rinse again while massaging very gently and run my fingers through my length
(I usually add more conditioner and repeat the steps above if I did a heavy oiling)
Blast it with cold water
Done!

Don't give up on CO Washing just yet just play around with different conditioners and methods until you get it right. It's been a blessing to me. I found it has made my hair more moisturized and less hair falls out especially around my hairline.

[AnqeIicDemise]

I haven't tried CWC no, but I might consider that if CO really won't work for me. This is a silly question but how exactly do you go about washing it that way? Do you put conditioner on first all over your hair like in CO, then shampoo it out and reapply the condish?

Thank you to everyone for your help, I'll definitely persevere for a while with this.

Personally, I put it all over but that's because I usually oil and condish does help remove the excess. I just buildup too easily, hence why I CWC.

Condition all over. Wash with diluted or mild shampoo and then condition the ends after.

But as others have stated, try COing a little longer. Some people's hair have to adjust and that can take a bit. It also depends on the conditioner being used.

I tried but I just couldn't stand it. My hair did not like it and I found myself washing every day, which defeated the purpose of what I was trying to do. :P

[GRU]

My suggestions:

-- Double-check the ingredients list for hidden 'cones.

-- Dilute your conditioner in an applicator bottle with water, 50/50 or even more (I tend to use about 20-25% conditioner and the rest water). Use the nozzle on the bottle to apply the conditioner directly to your scalp (all over) to make sure you get the scalp thoroughly covered with conditioner, then apply it down your length as well.

-- Do a really GOOD massage on your scalp. Since you're not using harsh detergents, you need some friction from your fingertips (NOT fingernails!) to loosen the dirt/oil from your scalp.

-- After oiling, you may need to do a double-wash: apply diluted conditioner, massage well, rinse, apply diluted conditioner, massage well, let sit during the rest of the shower, then rinse well.

-- Acidic rinse afterward (ACV, white vinegar, citric acid, etc.).

-- If after a week or two you're still not having good results, switch to a different brand of conditioner and give it another go. Some hair likes one product, some hair likes another -- there's sometimes a period of experimentation to find out what your hair likes to be "fed".


Hang in there... you've come to the right place for help!

[Celtic Morla]

I have tried CO but I am not thrilled with the results either I feel like my hair is heavy and it feels greasy. I was usingDr Broehmers diluted and a vingar rinse every 5 days and coconut oiling it before a wash. I have given myself at least 3 tries with CO before i gove up(on 2x now) but I am not feeling the love. Good thing about my routine the other day my DD went on a S&D mission and told me I have very few split ends and only th etps were dry so we just snipped those off..her hair wa sin much worse shape but she won't giv up the commercial shampoos and only oils her hair if I do it! 23 and lazy!

[GRU]

I have tried CO but I am not thrilled with the results either I feel like my hair is heavy and it feels greasy. I was usingDr Broehmers diluted and a vingar rinse every 5 days and coconut oiling it before a wash.

Do you mean Dr. Bronner's? Those aren't typically used as CO-washing conditioners, which might explain why you didn't have good luck with them.

If you haven't tried at least 3 different real conditioners, I wouldn't give up yet -- some folks have hair that likes brand X and others have hair that prefers brand Y. But you definitely want something that has surfactants in it, which is what Dr. Bronner's products are lacking.

Grab yourself a $1 bottle of Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut and give CO-washing another try with that....

[Sundial]

Do you mean Dr. Bronner's? Those aren't typically used as CO-washing conditioners, which might explain why you didn't have good luck with them.

If you haven't tried at least 3 different real conditioners, I wouldn't give up yet -- some folks have hair that likes brand X and others have hair that prefers brand Y. But you definitely want something that has surfactants in it, which is what Dr. Bronner's products are lacking.

Grab yourself a $1 bottle of Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut and give CO-washing another try with that....

Like what GRU said, the conditioners really do make a difference. I've gotten greasy/gummy roots from using unsuitable conditioners before.

I also strongly suggest that you try CO washing with a different conditioner. There's no harm in trying the one GRU recommended because it's affordable and it is a popular CO often mentioned by those in the CO washing thread. May I suggest that you start with clarifying first before you start using a new conditioner so that you can give the new condish a fair trial

[furnival]

My hair seemed lank and greasy for a couple of weeks after starting CO. After a bit of experimentation (applying to dry hair, leaving it on for 20 mins, doing a double wash, trying different conditioners) it started to work. Don't write it off just yet! And like others have said, check the ingredients of your conditioner.

[RitaCeleste]

I did a heavy oiling of coconut oil and then deep conditioned. I just rinsed so I'm super oily in some places. I think I'll put a lighter conditioner on it for about a half hour then rinse to get the rest of oil out later. Right now my hair could use the therapy so I just put it up oily. Sometimes with heavy oil, you have to soak in the conditioner for a bit and even do it twice. Conditioner will get the oil out for me but takes a bit of work to make sure I get it everywhere and let it have time to work.

[irishlady]

Personally, I put it all over but that's because I usually oil and condish does help remove the excess. I just buildup too easily, hence why I CWC.

Condition all over. Wash with diluted or mild shampoo and then condition the ends after.

But as others have stated, try COing a little longer. Some people's hair have to adjust and that can take a bit. It also depends on the conditioner being used.

I tried but I just couldn't stand it. My hair did not like it and I found myself washing every day, which defeated the purpose of what I was trying to do. :P
Cool thanks! I might just try this if CO is just too much for me, I have fine hair so I need to be careful with things weighing my hair down, even though the Vo5 doesn't have cones. (Am visiting US right now so got the cone-free version.)

[irishlady]

UPDATE: I have tried the suggestions here, and am very pleased to say that it is working very well for now, my sensitive scalp is also itching far less. Thanks everyone :)

[sharicat]

That's great you've got it working for you Irishlady :) It can take time but is worth the perseverance!

[gabee]

I'm happy CO is working better for you irishlady! Other than finding the right conditioner, the best advice I found was diluting the conditioner! I add water to it in a bottle, and swirl to get a bit of lather before pouring it on my head. Then I massage my scalp really well to get a nice cleansing going on. I usually also use a more moisturizing conditioner on the ends as well.

[swetiepeti]

For me, I found that VO5 took less oil out than Sauve. So I use my Sauve for the CO washing two to three times a week, and my VO5 when I make an SMT or when I need to CO wash daily like when I live at the pool. You may just have to experiment a bit. Ran through 5 conditioners before I found a routine I liked and my hair loved.

[Celtic Morla]

Do you mean Dr. Bronner's? Those aren't typically used as CO-washing conditioners, which might explain why you didn't have good luck with them.

If you haven't tried at least 3 different real conditioners, I wouldn't give up yet -- some folks have hair that likes brand X and others have hair that prefers brand Y. But you definitely want something that has surfactants in it, which is what Dr. Bronner's products are lacking.

Grab yourself a $1 bottle of Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut and give CO-washing another try with that....

sorry didnt expalin well..I use Dr B's castile sop diluted as a wash and ACV to rinse. I tried the Avocado & Aloe Natural (can't remmeber the brand) Cond to CO. BUT I am experiencing a reaction to all the fragrance in it!

Anyoen know of an all natural conditioner that does not use fragrance oils in it??

[Miss Maisie]

YAY! I'm so glad it's working for you!

I'm pretty new to CO, too. I started with a conditioner that I already had (Suave Rosemary Mint), but it has cones. I bought Suave Tropical Coconut last week and absolutely HATED it. My scalp itched so badly that I went back to the cone conditioner. I bought 2 VO5 conditioners today (Kiwi Lime Squeeze and Vanilla Mint), and I have high hopes. I washed with the Kiwi Lime about an hour ago, and it was wonderful to use. It really is a lot of trial and error!

[CaityBear]

To get oil out you have to go about it differently. What I personally do is slather it on dry hair and let sit for half an hour or so. When I get in the shower I get it slightly wet and massage my scalp (and the length!) then put up and go about my shower, then let it down, add some more water, massage some more, leave, THEN rinse it out. You have to get it wet so you can get a bit of a lather. And if you oil the length you must remember you create a lather on the length as well. I sometimes forget to do that...

[Lady Malys]

Just adding my experiences for those it might help .... I started CO about 2 weeks ago with Suave Rosemary/Mint (with cones) and was loving it ("wash" with the conditioner, leave in, rinse, then "condition" with the conditioner). I ended up going away last weekend and brought Vo5 Strawberries and Cream conditioner with me (no cones) and used that. After my first wash with that conditioner, my hair was super soft and had more curl than usual .... but it was also greasy feeling within just a few hours. The same thing happened the next 2 days, with each day getting greasier quicker. Since getting home again, I have returned to my Suave conditioner and am again happy!

[beccababesx]

CO works like a charm to remove it all. Maybe I just use a really good conditioner? I'm in the UK though...

Shampoo, for me, never helped me get out an oiling. I was useless at oiling until I started CWC and now CO.

If you dont mind, what condish do you use? I'm still trying to find options in the UK..