Whenever I speak about my regimen I always state that I wash my hair in twists and I have found that some naturals are against this idea because they assume that this method of cleansing prohibits the hair from being washed and conditioned properly. I beg to differ, so I have written down my own list of pros and cons (from my experience) of washing hair in twists.
Pros
- Accessible Scalp– Sectioning your hair in at least ten jumbo twists will allow direct access to the scalp that requires cleansing.
- Tangles & Single Strand Knots– Since the year I started washing my hair in twists, I have noticed a reduction in the amount of SSK’s and tangles in my hair. The simple fact that the hair is clumped together in a twist prevents any chances of loose hair wrapping around itself or other hairs.
- The volume of hair– I never knew I could grow my hair as long as it is now, let alone have this much volume come naturally so it got to a point where my hands became too small to deal with four large sections. Twists help me in dealing with having so many strands of hair on my head.
- Easy Styling– When I am done shampooing and conditioning, the parts I created from the twists make it easier for me to either braid, retwist, band or thread my hair. No need to spend more time sectioning or finger parting again.
- Shrinkage– Your hair would not shrink as much as it would if you wash your hair in twists. As you would see in the picture below after loosening my twists. Which natural wouldn’t want that?
Cons
- Residue– Conditioner residue may hide in between twists depending on how big they are. So extra effort needs to be taken to make sure all or most of the conditioner is rinsed out from the roots of the twists.
- New Products– You may not be able to see how your hair reacts to new products as it is all clumped together in twists.
- Unraveling Twists– The weight of water may unravel your twists during washing if they are too big or not twisted properly.
I am fully aware every natural has what works for them and that’s the beauty of our hair so instead of putting down other methods, try them first and see how they work for you.
Do you have any thoughts or comments? Feel free to leave them below.
Stay Blessed!
CJ
36 comments
I’m a natural but my hair is too large for big twists. But I think I’ll try this soon anyway.
Here’s hoping it doesn’t unravel!
Haha! Just make sure the twists are not too big and hopefully you’ll like it. Fingers crossed*
My hair has got probably the same amount of volume, maybe a lil less. I can totally relate to the pros and cons as well. I’m so into the pros that I don’t even consider the cons. Lol I can’t remember the last time I washed my hair without having it in twists. It’s often a nightmare if I don’t twist before washing.
I love this method as well, it makes wash day so much easier.
I find washing my hair in twists heavenly. Other than the twists preventing me to wash my hair properly they actually allow me to wash more thoroughly, and as you mentioned the easy access to the scalp is unreal.
Hey, do you wash in the same twists from beginning to end of your session, or do you apply shampoo, twist, rinse, untwist, apply conditioner, and then retwist?
Thats a good question. I prefer to detangle before washing so once I am done and I put my hair in twists, I don’t take the twists down until I want to style. The trick is to twist securely in medium sections in order to prevent water from unravelling them. I usually have about ten or twelve twists around my head and its been working for me for two and a half years now.
Thank you! 🙂
You’re welcome! 🙂
Would definitely try this!…saves me all the trouble
Please do you also deep condition your hair in twists as well?
Yes I do. I shampoo and deep condition in twists.
3.5
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!!!!! Totally trying it:)
Thank you for reading!
I do find that rinsing my deep conditioner is a challenge when I keep my hair twisted. But I’m going to keep trying until I’m able to find a rinsing method that works for me because I hate retwisting because I had to undo my twists to get all the deep conditioner out. I often deep condition with ayurvedic pastes as well.
Ohhh that’s why. When you use ayuverdic powders or pastes you will have to rinse with your hair loose because they get everywhere and it would be tough to get it all our without without leaving residue.
Hi C, thank you for all your help I am just learning how to twist with my daughters mixed race hair – twisting does make a difference as her hair is really really tangly, I like in the UK and I am Dominican black and my daughter is ginger haired.
Would it be an idea after shampooing, towel blot her hair whilst in twists then undo the twists and spray in a leave-in conditioner ??
I am going to try this is the meantime to see what happens.
Regards Marie xx
Hi Marie!
Try to do that after deep conditioning your daughters hair instead. That way her hair is soft and strengthened enough for styling with the leave in conditioner.
Let me know how it goes and you’re welcome!
Will definitely try that thanks again xx
Hello
Your hair is beaitiful and looks exactly like my haid did before I got locs for 3 months only. I combed them out and washed with cream of nature shampoo. I went to a new hair dressor who washed my hair without detangling it. Then she combed my hair from the roots to the end. I screamed but she only lighten up slightly. That was last Thursday…my scalp was still burning and irriated last night which was 4 days later. I prayed about it. God answered my prayer. I have been watching your videos ever since…wish I had discovered you before I let her cut my hair. But God led me to you. Please give me the water base shampoo and conditioner you use to keep you hair moisturized.
My hair is very dry. She used a prodult I have never heard of aveslance or something like that. Please help!
Thank you!!
Hi Chinwe. Thank you for this write up. Whenever I make tiny twists with my hair, they always loosen, and I have to take them out earlier than planned.
The frustration made me to go low cut after over four years. However, I still desire to start the nstural hair journey again.
I’d appreciate it if you gave suggestions on how to keep my twists from loosening untimely.
Thank you.
Hi Ojetunji!
Do you think it might be from the way you twist? You can check my YouTube channel here. To help you twist better so they stop unraveling very easily. https://youtu.be/zOm3KE925hc
Hi Chinwe!
I have started washing my hair in twists. However I have noticed the following:
1. Hairs crossover between twists after the washing process. Even if I part out clean sections before washing.
2. When I let my hair air dry after washing in twists, the twists shrink and my hair gets tangled.
Do you have any advice/tips on how this could be prevented?
Thanks a lot in advance! 😀
Hi Lauren!
Hmm… do you wash your hair standing or facing down?
And do you scratch your scalp aggressively while washing? This may be in the cause of hairs crossing over.
When you let you hair air dry while in twists, they should shrink but it’s not a problem as long as you style and retwist back.
Also if you can, detangling before washing in twists. It reduces how much your hair tangles afterwards
Thanks for replying! I usually wash my hair while standing. After I deep condition, I rinse with head facing down. Could this be a culprit?
No I don’t scrub my scalp aggressively. I also run shampoo along the twists as well.
I did detangle before the process last time, which helped a lot. Maybe I should try that – re-twisting directly after washing?
Try to stick to washing your hair in one direction. Either standing or facing down in one wash day.
Also retwisting with a leave in and styling butter right after washing will really help.
Thanks a lot!
This is really helpful. I will try these on my next wash day to see if the situation improves and update here! :3
also important to remember that methods may not cause the same results for different people 🙂
Hello
I really love how healthy your hair looks though. My hair’s been natural for few years now but I never actually cared for it as much because I thought nothing would work perfectly for it. Recently, a friend advised me to wash more often in twists and use my water + oil spray about 3 times a week. The first time I tried washing my hair in twists, it was hard getting the conditioner all out. And I really don’t know how else to keep my hair safe apart from twists.
Hi Tutu,
When you are washing in twists, squeeze the twists when rinsing in order to get all the shampoo & Conditioner Out. It’ll take a few tries but you’ll get it right!
Hi TuTu,
Just make sure to squeeze your twists under running water when rinsing. That way, all the conditioner comes out.
My hair want stay twisted because its so soft and fine and thick, So i braided it and washed my scalp 😂
😩🤣🤣