Experiment with Pre-poo Using This Awesome Ingredients List

For afro-textured naturals moisture and nutrient retention can be a constant battle. We have these thick crowns of curls, coils, and kinks that are envied by many. Yet, the hair lacks the straightness needed for our sebum to navigate our entire hair shaft. This leaves us vulnerable to hair damage and dryness. Shampooing worsens this condition during the cleansing process. So, enter the pre-shampoo or pre-poo. A pre-poo can do wonders for your hair. Additionally, you can vary the type of pre-poo used to give your hair exactly what it needs.

Pre-poo 101

As the name suggests, a pre-poo is a treatment you apply to your hair before you shampoo it. There are numerous pre-poo products from which to choose. You can buy pre-poo products commercially. However, I prefer to make my own. There are tons of recipes out there. I’ll share some of my favorites later in this post.

So, what does a pre-poo do anyway? A pre-poo benefits your hair in several ways depending on the ingredients. Some common benefits of pre-poos include the following:

Restoration of moisture to the hair
Providing added nutrients to promote scalp & hair health
Improvement of hair elasticity and manageability
Treatment of scalp issues
Protection from harsh stripping process associated with shampoos
Balancing of hair and scalp pH levels

Choosing a pre-poo

Depending on the state of your hair, your choice of pre-poo may be extremely important. If you are dealing with a specific hair issue, you will probably need a different formulation from another natural whose hair is in top condition. Moreover, I encourage you to experiment with pre-poos to find just the right match.

Should you decide to purchase a commercial product, do your research. Look up the ingredients list. Will the ingredients address your unique hair issues? Are the ingredients all natural or organic? Are the product reviews favorable? Is the manufacturer of the product reputable? A “yes” answer to most of these questions indicates a sound buy. However, I tend to mix my own pre-poo because then I know exactly what ingredients are being applied to my hair

For those that decide to go the do-it-yourself (DIY) route, stick to ingredients that will nourish your hair with what it needs. Secondly, don’t be afraid to experiment! You are only limited by your imagination when it comes to pre-poo recipes. To help you get started, I have given a list of common pre-poo ingredients and their individual benefits:

Common Pre-poo Ingredients & Benefits

Aloe Vera – contains antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, & E), Vitamins B9 (Folate), B12, and choline, amino acids, potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc; reduces scalp irritation; minimizes dandruff; gives hair shine and smoothness; rejuvenates hair follicles to promote hair growth; demonstrates antibacterial properties

Avocado – has calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, Vitamins A, C, E, K, B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B6, B9, proteins, and amino acids; promotes hair growth; aids in scalp repair; nourishes & moisturizes scalp & hair

Banana – contains loads of Vitamin B7 (Biotin); promotes overall scalp health and hair growth

Coconut Milk – full of nutrients, including Vitamins A, B1, B3 (, B5 (Pantothenic acid), B6, B9, C, and E; also contains iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and selenium

Coconut Oil – has Vitamin E & K, iron, & phytosterols, which promote cell rejuvenation; full of medium-chain triglycerides, which have been shown to have some antimicrobial effects

Eggs – has amino acids, zinc, antioxidants, cholesterol, and Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, B12, D, E, & Choline; promotes hair growth; hydrates & repairs; helps fight hair loss; strengthens and promotes hair health by combatting free radicals

Olive Oil – good source of Vitamins E & K; also contains iron, potassium, and sodium; strengthens hair; fights hair loss

Honey – contains iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, selenium, Vitamins C, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and choline; promotes healthy hair and scalp; natural humectant to aid in moisture balance and retention.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil – conditions and strengthens hair; fights dandruff; rich in omega-9 fatty acids

Mayonnaise – made with eggs (see nutrient information above); conditions and smooths; combats dandruff; promotes hair growth and health

Greek Yogurt – contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, B Vitamins, lactic acid, and tons of protein; nourishes and moisturizes hair; promotes smoothness and shine; fights dandruff.

Some of My Favorite DIY Pre-poo Recipes

As promised, I have provided a couple of my favorite DIY Pre-poo Recipes below (you may need to adjust quantities depending on the length and density of your hair):

Easy Breezy with Added Honey Pre-poo

This is the first pre-poo recipe I used when I started my hair journey. I loved it because it allowed me to experiment all lots of commercial conditioners to find my favorites. I still use it on a regular basis.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup of your favorite commercial conditioner

3 oz raw organic honey

1 tsp Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Section hair into 4 sections.
On the first section, spritz hair with water until just damp.
Apply pre-poo to that section, ensuring the full length of all hair strands are saturated (pay special attention to ends). Two-strand twist the section.
Repeat steps 3 & 4 on the remaining sections.
Cover hair with plastic cap.
Cover plastic cap with towel and process for at least 1 hour.
Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Shampoo, as usual.

Hot Oil Pre-Poo

I really love this pre-poo treatment. Usually, I incorporate a rinse into my pre-poo routine. The hot oil pre-poo works well with all of them (I just skip the water spritz if I am doing a rinse). You can also add other oils to this base recipe for extra nutrition. This treatment also makes my hair very soft and very manageable. Moreover, you can leave it on overnight. Just remove the towel and ensure you have a sufficient plastic barrier between your hair and the bed sheets (oil stains are the worst!).

Ingredients

2 oz olive oil

2 oz coconut oil

water

Instructions

Place coconut oil and olive oil a small bowl and mix.
Put some water in a medium bowl and heat in the microwave for 1 minute.
Place the small bowl inside the medium bowl, allowing hot water to heat the oils for about 2 minutes.
Test a small amount of oil on your wrist to ensure it is not too hot.
Section hair into 4 sections.
On the first section, spritz hair with water until just damp.
Apply oils to that section, ensuring the full length of all hair strands are covered (pay special attention to ends). Two-strand twist the section.
Repeat steps 6 & 7 on the remaining sections.
Cover hair with plastic cap.
Cover plastic cap with towel and process for at least 1 hour.
Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Shampoo, as usual.

Wrapping It Up

I have noticed my hair is much softer and retains a lot more moisture after my wash when I use a prepoo. It also makes my shower detangling much easier. I am a big advocate of pre-poos; they should be a staple in any natural’s hair regimen.

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