The “pre-poo” is exactly what your hair’s been missing

Let’s be clear right off the bat: “Pre-poo” is NOT what it sounds like. ” Instead of prepping for an, um, necessary bodily function, “pre-pooing” is actually the term for when you apply an oil to your hair to prepare it for shampooing. Pre-shampoo…pre-poo…get it?

We promise we didn’t just make that up. It’s a real thing and everybody’s doing it.

Why does your hair need to be prepared for shampooing? Well, believe it or not, shampooing puts your hair under a lot of stress. Basically water causes your hair to expand and contract, with conditioners and stylers trying to make the process easier and helping your hair hold on to the water.

Ask any hair stylist and they’ll tell you the secret to healthier hair is not to over wash since excess shampooing causes dryness and breakage. This is where pre-pooing comes in, to make shampooing easier by lubricating strands to make the process gentler on hair. Think of it like strengthening your hair so it can hold on to before the big bad shampoo comes in and does its thing.

All you have to do is apply your favorite oil to dry hair and wait about fifteen minutes before shampooing it out. You can use olive oil, coconut oil, Jamaican black castor oil, or a few others. Some people even use cooking oil, but it can cause breakouts, so maybe skip it.

You can even go the extra mile and put on a shower cap (or plastic bag!) to get a hot oil treatment effect.

The easiest way to pre-poo is to section your hair and apply the oil in a dropper to make sure every area is getting all the oil it needs

Make sure to massage it into your scalp

It’s also a good time to start detangling your hair before washing

Be sure to really shampoo it out though, or you’ll be left with — you guessed it — oily hair.

If you do it properly you’ll have the softest hair EVER!

Happy Wash Day!