What is Pre-poo and Which are The Best Oils To Do It?
What you will learn:
- The meaning of "pre-poo";
- The benefits of pre-pooing;
- How pre-pooing the hair works;
- How to pre-poo, step-by-step;
- Best oils for pre-poo;
What does pre-poo mean?
Pre-poo means preparing the hair before you shampoo. It comes from the term pre-shampoo and it’s an extra step in the hair care regimen that protects the strands from drying out due to shampoo.
The shampoo’s purpose is to clean product residue, extra oils, and dirt off the scalp . Cleaning agents in the shampoo along with its pH create a lifting effect for the cuticles. This strips the hair strands from the natural oil that nurtures and protects the hair allowing it to loose strength along the way. To minimize these effects there’s an effective technique that nurtures the hair and keeps the proteins inside the strands: pre-poo.
How does pre-pooing the hair work?
Oil works as a conditioning agent that protects the strands against friction. It does not substitute the use of conditioner or treatment, but rather prepares the hair for a cleaning session.
How to pre-poo my hair?
- Start off with dry hair. Section it into two parts or more depending on your hair type and length.
- Warm up a couple of spoonfuls of your favorite oil and apply it evenly before shampooing.
- Use your fingers to gently detangle each section. Start from the ends and work your way up. Focus the oil on your ends because they’re the driest and that’s where the tangling happens.
- Once done with covering the strands with a thin layer of oil, cover your head with a silk or cotton cloth or cap.
- Let the oil sit for as long as you wish. Some prefer to pre-poo the night before washing their hair and some like to do it before hitting the gym. Both are a good option!
- Rinse with warm water and then clean with shampoo as you normally would. Make sure you don’t leave any residue behind.
Clarissa, our founder on her way to the gym while pre-pooing. ↑Best Pre-poo oils
There are two types of oils: penetrating and sealing oils. The best oils for pre-pooing are those which penetrate deep into the strand to add that extra nurture that’ll be needed when the shampoo clears out all the natural oils. There are other products that can be used for pre-pooing such as hair butters, heavy conditioners, and aloe vera gel. We recommend using natural oils because they are easy to handle and usually have extra benefits for the hair.
Here’s a list of pre-poo oils:
- Avocado Oil
- Castor Oil
- Olive Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Almond Oil
- Argan Oil
Incorporate the pre-poo step in your hair care regimen as often as needed. It might be every time you wash your hair or once every two weeks depending on your hair type.
Then, clean your hair with the Balancing Shampoo , our gentle formulation made to clean the scalp and strands with stripping it. Repeat the shampoo step if needed! Follow these hair-washing tips for salon-level results: Apply the hair mask after the shampoo but before the conditioner.
To learn more about which hair mask suits your hair needs, get your free hair analysis and receive a personalized routine that explains how much water, oil, and protein to give your hair.
You can find here all the products needed in order to follow your hair routine.
