Everyday pollution, coloring treatments, chemical processes, UV exposure, heat styling tools, and using multiple hair products leave the hair damaged and dull. Washing your hair with a shampoo and applying conditioner might not be enough to rejuvenate your hair. A pre-poo treatment moisturizes, replenishes, and revitalizes hair. Keep reading to explore the benefits of using this treatment and how to do it yourself.
Benefits Of Pre-Poo Treatments
Moisturize The Hair: Pre-pooing provides the much-needed moisture to curly, coily, and dry hair. Pre-pooing with nourishing oils restores the moisture balance, provides nourishment to the hair, and keeps it healthy. Condition Your Hair: Pre-pooing prevents your hair from drying out during a shampoo wash, allowing the post-wash conditioner to work more effectively. Detangle: Curly hair is tough to detangle. Pre-pooing moisturizes your hair strands to prevent tangling during shampooing and makes post-wash detangling easy. Nourish The Scalp: Pre-poo treatments include warm oil massages that nourish your scalp, improve circulation, and boost scalp and hair health in the long run.
Are you excited to pre-poo your hair? In the next section, find out what you can use for the pre-poo treatments.
Types Of Pre-Poo To Use
1. Pre-Poo Oils
Oils are an effective way of deep conditioning your hair before a shampoo wash. For pre-pooing, use oils like:
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil contains lauric acid that penetrates the hair shafts and nourishes them from within. Lauric acid has a high affinity to hair protein (keratin) and can prevent protein loss (1). Coconut oil is especially beneficial for dry and breakage-prone hair. Olive Oil: Olive oil contains polyphenolsi XThey are naturally occurring micronutrients found in plants which aid in digestion, improve brain function, and prevent cancer. and has antioxidanti XThey are the molecules that help fight free radicals in the body formed during the oxidation process and prevent cell damage. and anti-inflammatory effects. Upon topical application, olive oil can reduce oxidative damagei XIt results from the imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants present in the body and may lead to cell death. and promote dermal reconstruction (2). This makes it an excellent choice for scalp massages. Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil contains wax esters.i XIt is a combination of fatty acids and fatty alcohols found in jojoba oil and is widely used in cosmetic formulations. These have anti-inflammatory benefits and are beneficial for wound healing and preventing skin infections (3). These esters may help relieve dry and itchy scalps and maintain your overall hair health. Grape Seed Oil: Animal studies found that the proanthocyanidinsi XChemical compounds found in plants, dietary fruits, vegetables and nuts known to promote heart health. in grape seeds might induce hair growth (4). Although further studies are required to arrive at a concrete conclusion, you may use grapeseed oil to keep your hair healthy and promote hair growth. Peppermint Essential Oil: Peppermint essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It can soothe multiple scalp issues and promote hair growth (5). However, make sure you always dilute the essential oil with any carrier oil before using it.
2. Pre-Poo Hair Butters
Hair butters like shea, mango, aloe, and cocoa butters are known for their intensive moisturizing properties (6). These butters are often used in deep conditioners and hair masks and may help hydrate and nourish your hair. You may use these products on their own or mix them with other ingredients to customize a DIY hair mask for your hair type.
3. DIY Pre-Poo Hair Masks
1. Banana And Olive Oil Pre-Poo Hair Mask
Banana improves hair shine and manageability, while olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties (7), (2). This hair mask is nourishing and moisturizes the hair, tames frizz, and repairs hair damage. You Will Need
1 medium banana (mashed) 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
Method
2. Avocado And Jojoba Oil Hair Mask
Avocados are beneficial for your health, and they are popularly used as a base in hair masks. The wax esters in jojoba oil may help keep your scalp healthy (3). You Will Need
1 small, ripe avocado (mashed) 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil
Method
3. Aloe Vera And Coconut Oil Hair Mask
Aloe vera gel has moisturizing properties, and coconut oil minimizes protein loss from the hair and penetrates deep into the shafts (8), (1). This hair mask can hydrate and strengthen the hair. You Will Need
2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Method
4. Flaxseed, Jojoba, And Coconut Oils Pre-Poo Treatment
Animal studies found that flaxseed oil might promote hair growth (9). This blend of oils can strengthen your hair, minimize breakage, and promote growth. You Will Need
1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil 1 tablespoon of coconut oil 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil
Method Once you have the pre-poo treatment oils and masks, follow this step-by-step guide on pre-pooing your hair.
How To Pre-Poo: A Few Tips
Here are a few more tips to get the best out of your pre-poo routine.
More Pre-Poo Tips For The Best Results
Always apply the pre-poo treatment to dry hair. Wait for at least 30 minutes to an hour before washing it off. If you are using a hot oil massage pre-poo, it is recommended that you leave it overnight and wash it off in the morning. Massage your scalp to stimulate the hair follicles. Use a hair steamer, heating cap, or a hot towel to open up the hair cuticles for better penetration. Always saturate your hair from root to tip with the pre-poo oil or mask.
Is pre-poo necessary? A pre-poo is necessary when the hair is fragile and requires special attention. It will preserve and moisturize your hair while you are doing your cleaning regimen. What is the difference between co-wash and pre-poo? Co-washing is the practice of solely using conditioner to wash your hair. It entirely skips the shampooing part. As we all know, conditioners are designed to add moisture to your hair, resulting in a healthy shine to your locks. This can be highly beneficial if you have curly, textured, or dry hair. On the other hand, pre-poo means pre-shampoo treatment. It is a protective moisturizing treatment you use on your hair and scalp before washing or “shampooing” it, making it a significant opening step in your wash day routine. In addition, it can perform wonders when used to repair dry, damaged, or frizzy hair.
