PRE-POO...WHAT IS IT AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

WHAT IS A PRE-POO? Pre-Pooing is simply a pre-shampoo treatment, which is applied to the hair and/or scalp. It’s left on for a period of time and then shampooed out.

BENEFITS OF A PRE-POO: Pre-poo treatments help prepare hair for the harsh detergents in the shampoo process by coating the hair shaft.  Performing regular pre-poo treatments will also help to remove heavy product build-up on the scalp. In addition, pre-poos help condition the hair. It seems to be a bit crazy to do all of this. You’re probably thinking…Why would we put a product on our hair that we were eventually just going to wash out? Actually, conditioners and oil often work better when applied to dry hair. Think of a sponge. If you place a dry sponge on a spill, it will absorb more than if you place a wet sponge on that same spill. Our hair reacts the same way, absorbing conditioner a lot more effectively when the hair shaft is not swollen with water molecules.

WAYS TO PRE-POO: There are a many ways to pre-poo. All pre-poo methods involve applying hot oil to scalp and/or hair. Once the hot oils are applied (to either dry or moistened hair) there are different processing methods.

1.  Applying pre-poo treatment to the ends and dry sections and allowing to soak into the hair for up to 30 minutes before cleansing.  You can wrap hair into a bun, pin it up or wrap it in plastic.
2.  Covering with some type of wrap – sleep cap, plastic cap, silk scarf – and allow pre-poo treatment to soak into hair overnight while sleeping.
3.  Wrapping oiled hair in a warm moistened towel topped with a plastic shower style cap and allow it to remain on hair for 2-4 hours.
4.  Applying plastic cap and/or wrap to pre-pooed hair and sitting under a hood style dryer set on a hot heat for 30-45 minutes.

RECIPES FOR PRE-POO:

2 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons of Honey
2 Tablespoons of Shea Butter
1 Tablespoon of Mango Butter
2 Small pans (one a little bigger than the other for a makeshift double boiler).

Step 1: Add water to one of the pan (the bigger one) and heat until boiling (do not add too much water because the other pan is going on top and you do not want a huge boiling mess)

Step 2: Add olive oil, shea butter and mango butter into small pan. Place small pan on top of bigger pan with the water boiling (be careful that water is hot!!)

Step 3: Add honey and stir until completely melted and combined

Step 4: Take mixture off of heat and let cool completely. (no one wants hot oil on their scalp…ouch!)

Step 5: Once completely cool to the touch, distribute through hair, and cover with a plastic cap or bag for 30-45 minutes.

Step 6: Wash out mixture using shampoo and condition and style as usual.

Homemade Light Protein Pre Poo

Heaping scoop of Mayo

Good squeeze of honey

1 egg

& whatever else your heart desires... beer, your favorite conditioner, coconut oil, or nothing!

Overnight Pre-Poo

coconut oil

small amount of EVOO

apply from the ends up, cover with a plastic cap, followed by a scarf - leave on overnight

Fruity Mix (stronger protein)

some plain yogurt

1 mashed banana

1 really ripe mashed avocado

good squeeze of honey

Have fun with the recipes. You can make-up your own to benefit your hair based on your hair type and situation. Try different oils and/or fruits. I hope this information helps you. Leave a comment to let me know what you think about this info and how it goes for you.