How to Co-Wash Curly Hair, and When Not To

The steps

1. Wet your hair and scalp thoroughly.
2. Apply a generous amount of co-wash to the scalp in sections.
3. Massage with your fingertips, not nails, for longer than you would with shampoo, about a couple of minutes.
4. Work what’s left through the lengths and detangle if you like.
5. Rinse very well, until the scalp feels clean.
6. Follow with conditioner only if your hair still needs it, then style.

When to shampoo instead

Reach for shampoo when your scalp feels oily or itchy, when you have used heavy gels, oils or silicones, after swimming or in hard water, and when products stop working. Itching or flaking that keeps coming back is worth showing a dermatologist.