Questions for 3c - 4c Naturals CoWashing and Clarifying and Single Strand Knots

[daffodil7]

I was wondering how often you clarify to get rid of your cones, and what shampoos are good for getting rid of cones without drying your hair out.

Please tell me your routines. Also let me know if single strand knots cause damage or if you can just leave them in your hair instead of cutting them.

[lacefrost]

I usually do a baking soda and vinegar rinse monthly to get rid of buildup. I don't really worry too much about cones, honestly. I don't cut out my single strand knots because I don't get many of them and they just shed themselves out anyway.

I don't cowash because I have bad dandruff and cowashing doesn't help with that. Here's what I do:

1. Once a week, while my hair is braided, I get my hair soaking wet in the shower. Then I put a cheap conditioner in it (Pantene or Herbal Essences or something like that.) While the conditioner is in there, I shampoo my scalp only (with Chagrin Valley's Ayurvedic Herb Shampoo bar (http://chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/shambar.htm). I like this one because kills my dandruff, thickens my hair, adds shine and doesn't leave it feeling dry.) I rinse very well and then apply my good conditioner (I use Yes to Carrots because it makes my dry hard hair feel so soft.) I wash my body, shave, whatever and then rinse most of it out.

2. If I'm lazy, I leave my hair alone til the next day or later in the week. If I'm not lazy, I'll take down and redo my braids/twists one by one with my Denman brush and some cocoa butter.

3. Once a month (or so) I'll do a super duper hair treatment. I might do a deep clarify where I do the baking soda and acv rinse. I might do a cleansing hair mask. Maybe a very moisturizing hair mask. Maybe I'll henna it. It just depends on which I haven't done recently.

The reason I do my hair like this is because it keeps my hair stretched. This prevents tangles & single strand knots, makes my hair look smoother and makes it hang longer. Single strand knots do cause damage because they make other hairs tangle up in them.

Another reason I don't cowash is because it invites tangles. If I wash my hair loose, it turns into a big (tangly) afro. Getting it wet repeatedly while braided makes it tangle as well.

One a day to day basis I:
-wear it up with large or xl Flexi 8 (http://www.flexi8.com/index.html?id=V4QsaiwU) during the day
-let it down and do its own thing while I'm at home
-dampen my hair with water and wear a scarf to bed

That's it. I'm super lazy with my hair.

[sfgirl]

I know I don't have your hairtype, but I'd like to point out that my single strand knots attract more, bigger, knots. So I'd look out for this. :)

[naturally yours]

If you want to prevent ssk's keep your stretched. Stop or keep wash& go's to a minimum. Dont wash your hair loose. Do it in plaits or twist. Airdry in them as well and wear braid or twist outs. I dont get buildup so I dont use clarifing poos.Coco bentaine, thats in sulfate free poo can get rid of cones. You could dilute regular poo or pre poo before using regular poo to prevent dryness. Ssk's can do damage so dust your hair. Do twist and cut off a tiny bit. You could dust every so often instead of trimming.

[naturally yours]

If you want to prevent ssk's keep your stretched. Stop or keep wash & go's to a minimum. Dont wash your hair loose. Do it in plaits or twist. Airdry in them as well and wear braid or twist outs. I dont get buildup so I dont use clarifing poos. Coco bentaine, thats in sulfate free poo can get rid of cones. Ssk's can do damage so dust your hair. Do twist and cut off a tiny bit. You could dust every so often instead of trimming.

[HappyHair87]

I do wash n go's all the time...i used to get a lot of ssk's...BUT(don't stone me)....i found that using a little bit of heat on my hair...like blowddrying on low heat...really helped with my ssk's....i don't do this a lot...its like a last resort thing...OR if i just feel like blowing my hair out..i'll do it.

If i'm not doing that....i have learned that while doing wash and goes....i have to go heavy on my leave in/moisturizer. I only go heavy on my styler in places where my hair gets really frizzy.

I also find oil rinses helpful with ssk's too.

With cones....i don't use a lot of coney products...but i clarify with an SLS shampoo every 2-4 weeks.

But adding more moisture really does help with ssk's:agree:

ETA: OH...and make sure that you remove shed hairs regularly! Try to eiether use your shower comb or a Denman brush and go section by section, removing shed hairs....this is my biggest culprit with anything that involves tangles and knots...shed hairs!

[Madora]

I know I don't have your hairtype, but I'd like to point out that my single strand knots attract more, bigger, knots. So I'd look out for this. :)

Yes, they sure can! Just like a tumbleweed, which is why it is a good idea to snip them off when you spot them.

[whimaway]

I don't use 'cones, so I don't think my routine will be helpful, but I get a lot of ssks. I generally go through my hair when it's wet and snip them off. They tend to make the hair feel coarse, and knotty and I don't particularly like them. I have heard that to prevent them, don't wear the hair down and curly as often, always sleep on some sort of satin/silk to avoid mussing, and avoid playing with your curls a lot with your hands. HTH :) I am almost a 3c on some days. :)

[mwedzi]

If you want to prevent ssk's keep your stretched. Stop or keep wash& go's to a minimum. Dont wash your hair loose. Do it in plaits or twist. Airdry in them as well and wear braid or twist outs. I dont get buildup so I dont use clarifing poos.Coco bentaine, thats in sulfate free poo can get rid of cones. You could dilute regular poo or pre poo before using regular poo to prevent dryness. Ssk's can do damage so dust your hair. Do twist and cut off a tiny bit. You could dust every so often instead of trimming.

I agree with this completely.


I do wash n go's all the time...i used to get a lot of ssk's...BUT(don't stone me)....i found that using a little bit of heat on my hair...like blowddrying on low heat...really helped with my ssk's....i don't do this a lot...its like a last resort thing...OR if i just feel like blowing my hair out..i'll do it.

If i'm not doing that....i have learned that while doing wash and goes....i have to go heavy on my leave in/moisturizer. I only go heavy on my styler in places where my hair gets really frizzy.

I also find oil rinses helpful with ssk's too.

With cones....i don't use a lot of coney products...but i clarify with an SLS shampoo every 2-4 weeks.

But adding more moisture really does help with ssk's

ETA: OH...and make sure that you remove shed hairs regularly! Try to eiether use your shower comb or a Denman brush and go section by section, removing shed hairs....this is my biggest culprit with anything that involves tangles and knots...shed hairs!

The underlined parts are my experience as well. An occasional blow dry (with comb attachment I'm finding is better) helps cut down on SSKs, in great part by allowing you to manageably get ALL the shed hair out. And keeping ends oiled helps, too.

[HappyHair87]

I don't use 'cones, so I don't think my routine will be helpful, but I get a lot of ssks. I generally go through my hair when it's wet and snip them off. They tend to make the hair feel coarse, and knotty and I don't particularly like them. I have heard that to prevent them, don't wear the hair down and curly as often, always sleep on some sort of satin/silk to avoid mussing, and avoid playing with your curls a lot with your hands. HTH :) I am almost a 3c on some days. :)

I KNEW it was you!!! You're Waterlily!!!:laugh:....im sorry but i just LOVE your videos! You actually helped me with my Natural hair journey with the CG method!:cheese: Thanks for the tips girly! Your hair is awesome!

Okay....back to regularly scheduled programming:D

[whimaway]

I KNEW it was you!!! You're Waterlily!!!:laugh:....im sorry but i just LOVE your videos! You actually helped me with my Natural hair journey with the CG method!:cheese: Thanks for the tips girly! Your hair is awesome!

Okay....back to regularly scheduled programming:D

HIIII :) Lol, thank you for the compliments :) I'm glad you liked the vids.