On average you will find the pre poo process mentioned in many naturalistas’ hair regimens. It is one of the critical processes implemented on a typically long and drawn out wash day. I have to admit, to cut down time I rarely pre-poo my hair, often from lack of time or simple laziness. However, I will also confess that I am doing my hair a disservice by not pre-pooing and I need to “get my life”. So let’s just get down to the nittty gritty, why do we pre-poo? Why is it so important?
Why Should You Pre Poo Before Cowash or Washing?
Well ultimately when you’re pre-pooing your hair, you are essentially pre-treating it…pampering it, so to speak. Pre-pooing is the process of using a natural oil (sans the mineral oil and petrolatum) as a barrier to coat the hair from root to tip prior to washing. Well, why would I put oil on my dirty hair when I’m going to wash it out anyway? Well, I’m about to tell you.
When you pre-poo using an oil like coconut oil, the oil has created a protective barrier over your tresses… as you wash.
Why Should You Pre-poo? Why would hair need protection before washing? It helps prevent breakage, helps moisturize, and prevents your hair from becoming brittle. Most importantly it protects your hair from washing manipulation. When washing your hair you are ultimately manipulating it with every scrub and every scrunch. When you pre-poo using an oil like coconut oil, the oil has created a protective barrier over your tresses. Though not a permanent barrier like water in-soluble silicones, but a light natural coating that allows the hair to glide against itself easily. Pre-pooing softens the hair and also helps with detangling, making the hair much easier to manage when washing.
I pre-poo with a different purpose in mind. I pre poo in bantu knots and I add more oil to the ends of my hair. It helps me unravel my curled ends to prevent single strand knots (which are often unpreventable). By focusing more on my ends with the oil it allows me to lubricate the ends of my hair and unravel them safely to prevent snags and knots.
Here are few things you can use for a good pre-poo:
Oils
• Amla Oil (moderately thick consistency with a semi-strong scent)
• Castor Oil (super thick consistency, scentless)
• Coconut Oil (moderately thick consistency, very light/faint scent)
• Grapeseed Oil (thinner consistency, scentless)
• Jamaican Black Castor Oil (super thick consistency, super strong scent)
• Monoi Tiki Tahitian Oil (moderately thin consistency, mild scent)
• Olive Oil (moderately thin consistency, very mild scent)
• Vatika Oil (moderately thick consistency, strong scent)
Pre-Poo Mixtures
• Avocado mixed with honey
• Moisturizing conditioner (e.g. Herbal Essence Hello Hydration) mixed with an oil of choice
• Olive oil mixed with honey
Store Bought Pre Shampoo Treatments
• Burt’s Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment (Tried, it was meh.)
• Keratese Immersion Nutritive (Never tried, it’s priced at $42.00 for curl sake!)
• Philip Kingsley’s Elasticizer (Again, too expensive, I will stick with my virgin coconut oil)
Regardless of what you use to pre-poo, just pre-poo! The results will be shiny, soft, detangled manageable hair.
My Pre-Poo Process
