CO getting moisture in hair covered in cones.

[Silver Strands]

Yesterday I used Dove shampoo and conditioner.
My hair felt pretty nice but I felt it could use a little more moisture.

So today, being inspired by a couple very long haired members' routine, I decided to CO using VO5 Free Me Fressia.
It had "moisturizing" on the label and I wanted to see if it was possible to absorb any moisture after coating my hair in cones yesterday.

After my hair dryed, it felt very silky and super soft.
Much softer than yesterday.

So my question is: How is that possible?
I have read on here and other sites that cones block moisture from getting into your hair and they also lock moisture in to hold onto it.

I have read that you can't remove cones using the CO method.

But can you absorb MORE moisture after you have used cones?

There are a couple very long haired members who use cones regularly with or following CO washes.
One uses shampoo once a week thereby removing the cone build-up, but just yesterday I learned that another member rarely if ever shampoos.
And yet her hair is silky, soft, stunning.

I am very confused by all of it and would love to hear what everyone thinks.
Thanks!

[earthdancer]

I've come to the conclusion that it all depends on your hair type, condition, water, weather, etc. There are an infinite variety of variables, so what doesn't work for some people will work very well for others. Even for me, not everything that works is just as good all the time. I have to vary my routine constantly, since what worked last week might be terrible this week!

[Silver Strands]

Thanks for responding earthdancer.

Up until yesterday I thought I understood it all.
Use cones but be sure to shampoo fairly regularly and all should be fine.

But upon reading one member's routine and learning she uses cones regularly but only uses shampoo once or twice a year, threw all of it back up into the air.

[Silverlox]

I think it could depend on what type of cone it is. Some are supposed to be water soluble, while others are not.

Water soluble cones would wash out with just water and also with a CO. While the water resistant cones would need shampoo, Baking Soda or other clarification.

Don't ask me which cones are what, though, because I have no idea..

[Silver Strands]

Thanks Silverlox.
I'm pretty sure Dove has Dimethiconol and Amodimethicone, (not sure of the spelling of these 2) both of which aren't water soluble.

So the mystery continues........

[ratgirldjh]

It may actually take a while for your hair to be permeated with cones.

I have never used Dove Shampoo or Conditioner - but I have used Avalon Organics Lavender conditioner which has a lot of cones evidently... The first time I would use it - beautiful hair! The second time limp hair... then it would get drier and drier and drier...

That was the fastest building up conditioner I have ever used!!! Even the matching shampoo and using it 2 times couldn't stop the build up!

I used to use Garnier Fructis and it has a lot of cones and waxes. It took me months and months to get enough cone and/or wax build up that my hair started to be dry instead of conditioned.

[Silver Strands]

Thanks for responding ratgirldjh.

I have also bought the Avalon Organics and was surprised to find cones in them.
I also think that those of us with gray hair can absorb more cones quicker since our grays are drier and more coarse or absorbent.

Maybe the cones don't block moisture from coming in completely.
They aren't concrete after all!

But as far as build-up, 6 months to a year seems like a long time to use cones without shampoo and still have stunning hair.

It is an ongoing discussion around here.
But it is interesting how my hair became softer using CO without removing the cones first.

[spidermom]

Not very long ago I read an article by a trichologist (scientist specializing in hair), and he said that there is no such thing as buildup. The cuticle opens and closes in response to moisture in the atmosphere, changes in pH, and various other factors. Our hair gets rubbed against the pillow and various other things, combed, brushed, fingers run through. Anything we apply is temporary; most are gone by the time our hair dries. Yet people keep on talking about buildup as though it is scientific fact when it is not. Personally speaking, I would have to say that I have had buildup. But I'm no scientist.

[Silver Strands]

Thank-you Spidermom,
That makes the most sense of anything i've read yet.
A voice of reason.

Cones help in humid weather but i'm sure they aren't waterproof or our hair wouldn't get wet when it rained out while using them.

[Rapunzal2Be]

Thank-you Spidermom,
That makes the most sense of anything i've read yet.
A voice of reason.

Cones help in humid weather but i'm sure they aren't waterproof or our hair wouldn't get wet when it rained out while using them.

Very good point!

I guess my hair just does well with 'cones, because I've never really had a problem with build up or drying out. I have tried some natural stuff and while my hair still feels soft, maybe even softer, I just don't like the way it looks. I know it's often said around here that this product or that one 'takes time to get used to' but I think I'll just go back to what was working for me. Because whatever it is that's in my products that is making my hair thicker, shinier and sleeker, well yeah, that's exactly what I'm looking for!!