When it comes to washing natural hair, I thought we had pretty much covered it all. From co-washing to pre-pooing, I was sure that we secured all bases and nothing was left to the imagination…until I happened upon Dephne Madyara’s water only hair washing routine on YouTube. She claims that the water only method has made her hair much healthier and it’s even improved the way her wash and go’s. Previously, she was unable to wear a wash and go because it didn’t look attractive. Now that she’s switched to washing her hair with only water, she’s able to wear a defined wash and go on her 4C hair.
Dephne Maydyara’s wash and go using the water only washing method.
How It Works
Washing your hair with water only can be a little daunting at first. After all, how is water supposed to get your hair clean? The idea is to work with the natural oils in your hair. Instead of stripping your hair like shampoo does, water only washing distributes the natural oils in your hair down the shaft of your hair. This eliminates the need for you to replace oil that was stripped with shampoo via conditioners and other oils. In the process it can help get rid of dirt and buildup.
How To Wash
1. Massage your scalp and break up anything on your scalp. This will also stimulate your hair follicles.
2. Scrub your scalp with your finger nails (scratch) and break up dead skin cells and dirt.
3. Detangle
4. Preen – distribute the natural oil in your hair down your hair with your hands.
5. Wet your hair with warm to hot water and scrub your scalp. You can preen some more while doing this.
6. Dry your hair
7. Apply a small amount of carrier oil (optional)
The Benefits
The most obvious benefit is the money saved on shampoo. Naturals who employ this method also claim that their hair grows faster, is less tangly and knotty, is softer, and their curls pop and clump effortlessly. You can also see the true health of your hair and truly understand what you
The Challenges
Most admit that washing your hair with water only takes some getting used to. In fact, your hair and scalp may take several months to get used to the routine. Another con is that some people have hard water in their homes. If this is the case, then you will experience mineral build-up on your hair. Distilled water or an acidic rinse for your final rinse should cure this. Additionally, there is a possibility that you’ll produce too much sebum on your strands with this regimen. If this happens, you may need to clarify your hair before every water wash until you find the right balance.
Take a look at Dephne Maydyara’s tutorial on her water washing regimen.
Would you consider washing your hair with water only?
