Co-washing and finger detangling is an important step in the Maximum Hydration Method as well detangled hair will cause all the subsequent steps to move by pretty rapidly. In fact, if you start with well detangled hair on Day 1 before the Cherry Lola Caramel Step 0, it will save you hours of time. This is not an exaggeration.

This step is also where you see the value of doing this in the shower. This is so that the force of the water helps you to detangle, smooth, rake and finger comb your hair. This aids in the application of product and to evenly distribute it as well as keeping your hair well watered.

I have copied and pasted here directly from the Maximum Hydration Method website, which I strongly urge you to visit if you are to hear about this regimen from the originators and understand and apply it correctly. You will also find lots of information from others who have tried it, read about their experiences and see their testimonial pictures. Where there is a specific comment from me, I have prefaced it with #ZH.

Step 2: Cowash & Finger Detangle

Mix silicone-free conditioner with water. Shake bottle. Apply to hair

Option 1: Apply conditioner to your hair in sections, and deep condition overnight by covering your hair in a shower cap or thermal heating cap. This will be 1-2 oz of conditioner and 4-8 oz of water into an applicator bottle. Get a feel for the consistency you want from watering it down. In the morning you rinse it out and it will function as your cowash.

You can tuck roll and bun (or bobby pin) sections to keep from creating tangles during the night. This not a necessity for those who have a TWA.

On days you know you will not be able to complete all the steps in full for whatever reason, simply stop here. Keep the shower cap on underneath your wig cap, beanie, or headscarf until you can complete the rest of the steps. This will prevent you from having any setbacks. It doesn’t count as a full day though until you complete the rest of the steps.

Option 2: Apply conditioner, put on a shower cap, and Steam. Steam for 15-20 mins under a steamer, hooded dryer and rinse it out.This will function as your cowash.Use 1.5-2 oz of conditioner and 4-6 oz of water into an applicator bottle.

#ZH: I have been following option 2. I apply the conditioner in the shower and detangle my hair. When I am done, I section my hair into 4 and then sit under a heating cap for 20 minutes.

Option 3: Apply warm conditioner in your hair in sections. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes under shower cap, and rinse it out. This will function as your cowash. if you are doing this step, first pour 1.5-2 oz of conditioner into an applicator bottle. Then pour in 4-6 oz of warm/hot water and shake.

I use four types of silicone free conditioner. All execpt for The Body Shop are available in Zambia. The others you can buy in supermarkets or Umoyo

Finger Detangle: No matter what option above you choose, you finger detangle before and/or during your co-wash under the warm shower. Section your hair before going in with shower clips. Focus on removing shed hairs, smoothing, raking, and separating tangles each section, from the root of your hair to the tip.

#ZH: This point on finger detangling and sectioning hair (if long enough) is critical. Proper and thorough detangling makes all the Steps in this regimen go by a lot faster. Be kind and gentle with your hair, but also firm.

Click to read the introductory post on the Maximum Hydration Method challenge here. The Step 0 – Cherry Lola Caramel Treatment here. Step 1 – Clarify with baking soda here.