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I know we’ve all had those moments where we’re minutes away from shampooing, staring at our brittle, frizzy, possibly low-porosity mane and thinking, “Is there some magical pre-poo treatment that can give my hair the extra love it needs before wash day?!”
Well, hold onto your hair ties because today we’re diving head-first into the wonderful world of pre-poo treatments for low-porosity hair!
What Exactly Is the Pre-Poo?
It’s a treatment you apply to your hair before shampooing (hence, the pre-poo). This marvelous technique helps to moisturize, detangle, and protect your hair from the harsh washing process. Sounds like a dream, right?
Do You Need to Pre-Poo?
Well, here’s the thing: if you have low porosity hair, pre-pooing could be your secret weapon. Low porosity hair has a hard time absorbing moisture, so imagine a pre-poo as your fairy godmother, waving her wand and opening up those stubborn cuticles for optimal hydration.
How do you know if you have low porosity hair?
If you are doubtful about whether or not you have low-porosity hair, then you need to check out this list to understand your hair type.
- Low-porosity hair takes time to get dried.
- They feel dry to the touch.
- They are very brittle in nature and break quite too often.
- You face a hard time styling your hair.
- Color treatment does not offer the desired results.
- You are tired of product buildup on your scalp.
- You are facing hair thinning issues.
- Your hair gets tangled quite too often.
- Your hair looks frizzy even after using conditioner.
- You have split-end issues.
If you have been facing any or all of these hair issues, then babe, you definitely have low-porosity hair.
How to Pre-Poo for low porosity hair?
1. Detangle those messy strands
Pre-poo or no pre-poo, detangling is a must if you want minimal hair breakage. Detangle your hair before pre-pooing or washing your hair.
This ensures easy application and hassle-free cleaning of products. Also, you will be amazed to see that detangling actually results in less hair breakage in the shower.
You can either detangle your hair using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb will also do. I use a tangle teezer but the choice is all yours!
2. Divide your hair section-wise
You can either use your finger or a rat tail comb at your convenience. Divide your hair into sections (4 to 6 will do).
Now, you need to secure these sections using elastics or alligator clips. Babe, it’s just as important to coat your hair nicely and evenly.
3. Choose Your Potion
Your pre-poo could be as simple as an oil or as fancy as a store-bought hair mask! Some popular options include coconut oil, almond oil, and castor oil, but feel free to get creative and mix and match your own pre-poo concoction.
Bonus points if you add in some essential oils for that extra aroma-zen experience!
3. Apply and Soak
It’s time to slather that luscious pre-poo potion all over your hair, from roots to ends. Be generous, your hair deserves it!
Once your hair is fully coated, put on a shower cap and let the pre-poo do its magic! You can let it sit anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight. I make sure I’m keeping it at least 30-60 minutes to let my hair soak in all the moisture and goodness.
If it’s an oil, then make sure your hair ends are well-saturated. In the case of scalp scrubs and clarifying shampoos, you need to exfoliate your scalp gently in order to get rid of all the product buildup.
4. Wash and Revel in the Glory
Once your hair has soaked up all that yummy goodness, it’s time to shampoo and condition as usual. And then – voilà! You’re now the proud owner of stunning, hydrated, and luscious low porosity locks.
How Many Times a Week Should You Pre-Poo Your Hair?
There are multiple factors that help you decide how often you should pre-poo your hair. If you-
- Have color-treated hair
- Spend a lot of time in a swimming pool
- Work outdoors
Then, you need to pre-poo your hair twice a week. Also, pay attention to your hair. The moment they start feeling dry and limp. Take it as a signal to pre-poo your hair.
If they are in between healthy and on the verge of frizzy, pre-poo your low porosity hair just once a week.
Types of Pre-Poo
1. Oil-based pre-poo products
If you are using an oil-based pre poo, then I would suggest leave it on your hair for at least 3 to 4 hours. And if you can leave it overnight, then valiant good!
P.S. Wear a shower cap after oiling your hair before you hit the bed. This would prevent staining of your hair and also prevent unnecessary friction.
2. Non-oil pre-poo products
Using non-oil pre poo products? Leave them on for about 120 minutes and that’s more than enough.
One fail-proof hack is to comb your hair 60 minutes after applying the product. This helps the nutrients and moisture to penetrate deep into your hair shafts.
3. Butter-based pre-poo products
You can leave butter-based pre-poo products on your hair for 3 to 4 hours. But I would suggest you do not leave them overnight as you may find it difficult to remove them.
Of course, you can also DIY Your Pre-Poo & here’s how
If you want to go the DIY way, then here are a few pre-poo options for you. Have a look!
1. Oils
Oils have been used extensively for pre-pooing purposes. If you wish to go the conventional way, then you can try the following oils:
- Olive oil
- Argan oil
- Jojoba oil
- Avocado oil
- Castor oil
- Coconut oil
2. Masks
Hair masks, too, serve as brilliant pre-poo products and offer exceptional results. Here are a few hair masks that your low-porosity hair will fall in love with:
- Egg
- Honey
- Aloe Vera
- Mayonnaise
- Bananas
- Yogurt
3. Butter
Butter-based pre-poo products offer incredible benefits to low-porosity hair. You can see visible improvements in just 2 to 3 weeks. Here are a few pre-poo products you must know about:
- Mango
- Shea
- Hemp Seed
- Cocoa
4. Clarifying shampoo treatments
If you have an oily scalp and wish to remove gunk, dust, dirt, and sebum, then you need a clarifying pre-poo product that adds to the cleansing process. Try these to make your scalp and hair squeaky clean:
- Lemon juice
- Apple cider vinegar
- Bentonite Clay
Dos and Don’ts of Pre Pooing low porosity hair
Dos
- Pre-poo is a non-negotiable when the wind is dry and chilly in winter.
- Always pre-poo on dry hair.
- Use a scalp massager to lightly massage once you have applied a pre-poo product.
Don’ts
- Avoid a moisturizer pre-poo if your hair is facing moisture overload. To know what moisture overload is, you can refer to one of my previous articles on fixing over moisturized hair.
- Avoid pre-poo oils if you have extremely greasy scalp.
My top 4 must-haves to nicely pre-poo for low porosity hair
1. Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Hair & Scalp Oil
A combo of 7 magical oils, this pre-poo gem tackles low-porosity hair like a boss! It’s bye-bye split ends, damaged hair, and hello, awesome scalp health. Visible hair fall reduction in just 2-3 weeks, woohoo!
The mix of flaxseed, coconut, jojoba, castor, olive fruit, and sunflower seed oils hydrate and fortify your locks.
2. African Pride Moisture Miracle Detangle & Condition Pre-Shampoo
No more tangled hair nightmares with this pre-poo lifesaver! The creamy, dreamy consistency softens hair and unties those knots.
Made with aloe vera and coconut water (hydrate much?), it strengthens hair shafts and prevents breakage. Say adios to dry, brittle hair! Bonus: it’s au naturel – no minerals, parabens, or sulfates.
3. Yes To Tea Tree Pre-Shampoo Scalp Scrub
Time to part-ay with product buildup, gunk, and dirt! This scalp scrub exfoliates and refreshes thanks to tea tree. Made with 95% natural ingredients, this baby soothes, nourishes, and hydrates the dry scalp and also promotes hair growth when used regularly.
Bonus: it’s color-treated hair approved and can help improve hair growth! Featuring tea tree, witch hazel, apple cider, sage oil, and sugar crystals.
4. Renewalize Certified Organic Olive Oil
And you know what’s a perfect pre-poo for low-porosity hair sitting right at your home? Olive oil, yes! And this one is a game-changer!
Unlike other sticky messes out there, it’s a total treat for your scalp and hair strands. And guess what? After just 2-3 months, my chemically treated hair went from meh to amazing– thicker and softer. So, are you ready to make space in your closet for this gem? Go grab it now!
FAQs
Q. Can I pre-poo my hair if it is dirty?
Yes absolutely! Pre-pooing your dirty hair helps in removing the gunks easily during the shampoo stage.
Q. I have straight hair. Can I pre poo?
Yes, you should pre-poo. This hair wash technique is suitable for all hair types, irrespective of their hair texture.
Q. How often should I pre-poo my hair?
If you have curly, low porosity hair, pre-poo it twice a week. And if you’ve got straight, low-porosity hair, pre-pooing once a week is more than enough.
