Many naturals are familiar with shampooing, conditioning, moisturizing, and even deep conditioning, but not many people know what pre-pooing is all about. Pre-pooing should not confuse you; it simply involves applying a treatment to your hair before shampooing. Hence the name PRE-POO.
Pre-pooing is a great way to prep your hair before shampooing to minimize damage and maximize moisture retention. Pre-pooing offers amazing benefits for maintaining healthy, moisturized, and protected hair. If you are wondering why you should bother applying a treatment to your hair before washing it, keep reading to find out.
Benefits of Pre-pooing
Moisture Retention
One major challenge people face, especially with type 4c hair, is dryness. Many times, people complain that after washing their hair, it becomes very hard and stiff. Well, Pre-pooing can be of great help here. It can lock in moisture, creating a protective barrier that prevents the stripping of natural oils from the hair shaft.
So, applying a conditioner or treatment before shampooing can overcome dryness, especially in individuals with naturally dry or curly hair textures.
Reduces Breakage and Damage
Frequent shampooing can lead to dryness and breakage, especially if the hair is already weakened or prone to dryness. Pre-pooing can help fortify the hair against damage by providing an extra layer of protection. This can help to reduce breakage and damages such as split ends.
Enhances Softness and Manageability
For individuals with very thick and coarse hair, pre-pooing can transform ‘stubborn’ hair into silky-smooth strands. The pre-poo treatment softens the hair, making it more manageable and easier to detangle during the washing process.
Improves Scalp Health
Pre-pooing can contribute to a healthier scalp environment, and remember that healthy hair begins at the scalp. Massaging the pre-poo treatment into the scalp stimulates blood circulation and promotes better nutrient delivery to the hair follicles. Additionally, certain pre-poo treatments contain ingredients that soothe and nourish the scalp, reducing itchiness and dandruff.
Enhances Shine
Pre-pooing treatment helps to smoothen the hair cuticle, giving your hair a beautiful shine and luster. If you have very dull hair, consider incorporating pre-poo to your hair care routine.
Pre-poo Products That You Can Try
A pre-poo can be done with oils or conditioners. Below are some that you can choose from:
Coconut Oil: using coconut oil as a pre-poo treatment will help to prevent protein loss in the hair, reducing damage and keeping the hair moisturized.
Olive Oil: It is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, it helps to moisturize and strengthen the hair, reducing breakage.
Avocado Oil: Contains vitamins A, D, and E, which nourish and moisturize the hair, making it softer and more manageable.
Argan Oil: Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, it helps to moisturize and protect the hair from damage caused by heat and styling.
Castor Oil: Known for its moisturizing and conditioning properties, it helps to strengthen the hair and promote healthy growth.
Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera gel when used as a pre-poo treatment, soothes the scalp and hydrates the hair, leaving it soft and shiny even after shampooing.
Deep Conditioners: Many deep conditioners are formulated with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil, which can be applied to the hair before shampooing to provide intense moisture and repair.
Hair Masks: Hair masks are similar to deep conditioners but often contain even more concentrated ingredients for intensive treatment. They can be used as pre-poo treatments to deeply hydrate and repair the hair.
Co-Washes: Co-washing conditioners are designed to cleanse the hair without stripping it of its natural oils. They can be used as pre-poo treatments to gently cleanse and condition the hair before shampooing.
How to Pre-poo Correctly
Now that you know the benefits of a pre-poo treatment, let’s learn about how exactly to incorporate this practice I to our hair care routine.
Choose your Preferred Pre-poo Treatment
Before you can pre-poo, you should decide on which product you want to use, especially considering your hair type and needs. Natural oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil are excellent choices for pre-pooing as they penetrate the hair shaft and provide deep hydration. Alternatively, you can use a commercial hair mask or conditioner specifically formulated for pre-pooing.
Divide your Hair into Sections
After choosing your pre-poo product, divide your hair into manageable sections (from 4-8 sections depending on your hair volume and thickness) using clips or hair ties. This will ensure that the pre-poo treatment is evenly distributed throughout your hair.
Apply the Treatment
Take a small portion of your chosen pre-poo treatment and apply to each section of hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. You can also apply your pre-poo treatment to your scalp for added scalp benefits.
If you’re using oil for your pre-poo, warm it up a little bit before applying it to enhance its effectiveness. If you’ve heard of ‘Hot Oil Treatment ‘ before, this is what it is. You can use oils like coconut oil, castor oil, almond oil, etc.
Let it Sit
Once you have applied the pre-poo treatment, cover your hair with a heat cap, shower cap or plastic wrap to trap heat and enhance absorption. Allow the treatment to sit on your hair for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour, or even overnight for deeper conditioning.
Rinse off and Shampoo
After some time, rinse out the pre-poo treatment thoroughly with warm water. Then follow up with a gentle shampoo to cleanse hair and scalp. After that, you can proceed with your regular conditioning if desired.
Style as Usual
Once your hair is clean and conditioned, style it as usual using your preferred styling products. After incorporating pre-pooing into your routine, you will notice a difference in its softness, shine, and manageability.
In conclusion, caring for natural hair is a beautiful journey with different things to learn as you go. Pre-pooing could be a game-changer for your hair, especially in terms of manageability. Incorporate it into your hair care routine, and check out these benefits yourself.
