After the Great Hair Disaster of 2010, I learned a great tip to care for fragile hair. The method is “Conditioner Only” or CO, which means instead of shampoo just use conditioner!
Shampoos can make hair more dry and brittle because it prevents the hair’s natural sebum from doing its job.
Conditioners have a cleansing agent like shampoo but they can be gentler on hair. Dry brittle hair is common with hypothyroidism so we need gently methods for our hair.
Choosing the Right Hair Conditioner
Its important to use a Silicone-free conditioner because silicone flattens the hair and will end up greasy. Look for conditioners free of Parabens, Silicone, Dimethicone. Read the label to make sure they aren’t hidden in the ingredients.
Inexpensive conditioners can work just as well as expensive ones. My favorites are Garnier Pure Clean because I can get a huge bottle at Target for about $6, Nature’s Gate line from Whole Foods, and Suave and Alberto VO5.
How to Wash Hair with the Conditioner Only Method
This method is so simple, it saves time and money, and for me the results were great.
- Shower as usual, wet hair thoroughly using warm or hot water.
- Use a good amount of condition (like 1/4 cup) and condition the roots liberally.
- Massage your scalp like you would with shampoo. There will be no lather which might takes some adjusting but trust me it works.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- For added shine and silkiness use a tiny tiny bit of Moroccan Oil on damp hair ends.
- Style as usual.
Tips:
- It can take 3-4 washes before the natural hair oil start to work on their own again.
- Every few months, using a gentle shampoo is okay.
- If hair starts to get a little dull, use a silicone-free clarifying conditioner like Suave every so often.
Several friends have converted to conditioning only and really like it. If you try it, I would love to hear what you think and what conditioner works for you.
During the time that my hair was damaged, dry, brittle and fragile due to thyroid treatment, the conditioner only method helped my hair to feel soft, get stronger and eventually grow out again.