They even help define curls! I would recommend using a low poo (a sulfate free shampoo that suds up similar to the shampoos we used to use before the curly girl method) between cowashing and clariying for a gentle cleasning. Clariying is like stripping everthing out of the hair to start over and should be done at least once a month. Low poos provide gentle cleasnsing that can be done on a weekly basis.