Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Verna Meachum

Your hair feels dry and unmanageable no matter what you do. Sound familiar? You may have low porosity hair.

You’ve tried everything under the sun, but can’t seem to get your low porosity hair to retain moisture. But have no fear, pre poo for low porosity hair is here!

But what is pre-pooing?

In this post, we’ll discuss what it is and show you how to pre-poo – step by step.

Let’s get started.

Overview

Your hair needs change at times, so it can be beneficial to pre-poo your low porosity hair before shampooing.

Pre poo treatments add softness, shine, flexibility, and moisture to your hair.

If your hair is porous in any way, if it tangles, is frizzy, or your ends seem weak and fragile, then a pre poo oil can help.

What Is Pre Poo for Low Porosity Hair?

If you have low porosity hair, then you know that taking care of it can be a real challenge.

Co-washing (conditioner washing) and pre-pooing (applying oil to dry hair before shampooing) are two common methods used to add moisture to low porosity hair.

Pre-pooing is short for pre-shampoo. Most pre poo treatments are done with oil, but you can also apply other products like conditioners to your hair before shampooing.

Penetrating oils are beneficial for some people’s hair because they can help coat the hair shaft and prevent moisture from escaping.

They can also protect your hair from water logging in cases of highly porous damaged hair. Thus, to protect your hair from too much swelling, leave the oil on for a few hours before washing. I personally like to leave it on overnight.

Pre-pooing also helps to protect your hair from the harshness of too much washing with shampoos.

In addition, pre-pooing helps to loosen up tight curls or knots, making them easier to detangle and style.

So, if you’re looking for a way to add moisture to your low porosity hair, pre-pooing may be worth a try!

Who Needs To Pre Poo?

Anyone with low porosity hair can benefit from pre-pooing. If your hair is dry and brittle, pre-pooing can help to add moisture and make your hair more manageable.

Pre-pooing is also a good idea if you shampoo your hair a lot or use a lot of strong sulfates. These shampoos can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and feeling brittle.

Pre-pooing can help to protect your hair from the harshness of these type of shampoos.

Low porosity hair can also get dried out by too much sun exposure.

What Is Low Porosity Hair?

In short, low porosity hair is hair that has a hard time absorbing moisture. If you have low porosity hair, you may find that your hair feels dry and brittle. It can be hard to style and manage low porosity hair, but pre-pooing can help.

The cuticles of low porosity hair are un-damaged and in such good condition that water can barely get in. This makes it difficult for moisture to be absorbed into the hair shaft.

There are a few ways to tell if you have low porosity hair:

• Your hair feels dry and brittle
• Your hair is difficult to style
• Your hair takes a long time to dry
• Your hair is resistant to color treatment
• Build up is often an issue
• Products seem to sit on the surface rather than penetrate it

If you have any of these signs, then you may have low porosity hair.

What Are The Benefits?

There are many benefits of pre-pooing for low porosity hair.

Pre-pooing can help to:

✓Retain moisture: Pre-pooing helps to retain moisture in low porosity hair by creating a barrier between the shampoo and your hair. This barrier helps to prevent the shampoo from stripping away natural oils, which can leave your hair feeling dry and brittle.

✓ Helps retain length: Pre-pooing can also help to retain length by protecting it from damage.

✓ Helps reduce single strand knots: In addition, pre-pooing can help to reduce single strand knots. Single strand knots are tiny tangles that form along the length of your hair. They can be difficult to remove and can cause breakage.

✓ Make hair feel soft: Pre-pooing can also make your hair feel soft and silky. This is because pre-pooing helps your hair retain moisture, which can make it feel softer and smoother.

✓ Reduce frizz: Pre-pooing can help to reduce frizz by helping to smooth down the cuticle.

✓ Detangle your hair: Pre-pooing can help to detangle your hair by loosening up knots and tangles. This makes it easier to style your hair and reduces the risk of breakage.

✓ Add luster and shine: Pre-pooing can also help to add luster and shine to your hair. If your hair is dull and lifeless, pre-pooing may be just what you need to give it a boost.

✓ Prevent damage: Pre-pooing can also help to prevent damage from heat styling, and other environmental factors.

✓ Reduce hair fall

✓ Improve dry scalp

✓ Make your hair more manageable

How To Pre Poo

Pre-pooing is a simple process, but there are a few things you need to do to make sure you’re doing it correctly.

Penetrating oils should be mixed with other oils if they cause your hair to be easily weighed down.

There are many different oils that can wreak havoc on your hair, resulting in an unpleasant effect.

Thus, it’s important to pay attention to how your hair responds as you apply it. It will let you know if it’s too much or vice versa or if you need to find a different oil.

Here’s a step by step guide on how to pre-poo low porosity hair:

1. Wet hair is more difficult to distribute oil on, so oils go on dry hair. Apply oil directly to your dry hair. Note: It’s fine if you have some styling on your hair.
2. Make sure to focus on the ends of your hair as they are the most prone to damage.
3. Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic bag and let the pre-poo sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
4. Wash your hair with warm water. Depending how much oil you use, you may need to wash your hair twice to remove any excess oil. Note: When it comes to the quantity of oil to use, the goal is to find a balance between using enough oil to give you a good result while avoiding using so much oil that you have to use a large handful of shampoo to remove it all.
5. Apply your regular conditioner and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it out.

Remember, everyone’s hair is different, so what works for one person may not work for another.

Try different oils and see what works best for your hair.

How Often Should You Pre Poo?

How often you should pre poo your hair will depend on a variety of factors, such as if you color your hair, swim a lot in chlorinated water, spend a lot of time in the sun, etc.

With that being said, if you spend a lot of time in the sun or swim often, or use chemical treatments on your hair, that’s when you should pre-poo more frequently.

If your hair always feels dry by wash day, you might want to use oil pre-poo treatment before washing.

Once you’ve discovered an oil that works for you, apply the oil as frequently as needed. Remember, this is about finding what works best for you and your hair needs.

When you’ve mastered the technique for using oil pre-poo treatments on your hair, it’ll let you when you need one.

Always let your hair be your guide!

Pre poo faux pas

If your hair gets limp or weighed down after using an oil pre-poo, it’s possible that you used the wrong oil, applied too much, left it on for too long, or used it too soon.

How Long Should You Pre Poo?

Most penetrating oils should be left on for a while because they need time to work around compromised cuticles.

Most people like to pre poo between 30 minutes and an hour, but it’s really up to you. Experiment with the time. You may have a greater result with leaving the oil on for a shorter time versus a longer duration.

If you have the time, pre-pooing overnight can be beneficial as well.

When Should You Not Pre Poo?

There are a few times when pre-pooing is not recommended:

If you have a sensitive scalp – pre-pooing can sometimes irritate the scalp. If you have a sensitive scalp, test the pre-poo on a small section of your scalp first.

If you have recently deep conditioned your hair, it may already be sufficiently hydrated.

In addition, pre pooing may not be necessary if you are using a clarifying shampoo, as this type of shampoo is designed to completely cleanse the scalp and hair.

Ultimately, whether or not you pre poo your hair is a matter of personal preference.

If you find that pre pooing helps to keep your hair healthy and hydrated, then by all means, continue doing it.

But if you feel that your hair does not require an extra step in your hair routine, then there is no need to pre poo.

Best Pre Poo Oils for Low Porosity Hair

There are a few oils that work well for pre-pooing low porosity hair.

Some of the best oils for pre-pooing low porosity hair are below:

These oils are all good at penetrating the hair shaft and adding moisture to the hair. Coconut oil is especially good at pre-pooing as it has a lot of fatty acids that can help to nourish and condition the hair.

You can use one oil or mix a few together. Experiment to see what works best for your hair.

FAQs

Do oils moisturize your hair? 

No. Oils are not moisturizers. They can help to seal in moisture and help it stay better moisturized, but they don’t actually add moisture to the hair.

Can pre-pooing make your hair greasy?

Yes, if you use too much oil or don’t rinse it out properly, pre-pooing can make your hair greasy.

Can you use aloe vera as a pre poo?

Yes, aloe vera is a good pre-poo option as it can help to add moisture to the hair.

Related Articles

• Pre Poo Oil Treatment Vs. Hot Oil Treatment For Hair: What’s The Difference?Tips For Caring For Low Porosity Hair
• Hair Porosity 101: The Ultimate Guide

Takeaway

Pre-pooing is a simple but effective way to add moisture to low porosity hair. By pre-pooing your hair, you can make it more manageable, reduce frizz, and help retain length.

Try pre-pooing your hair once or twice a week to see the best results.

If you’re still having problems with oils after trying them, don’t write them off altogether. Experiment with other options!

Do you pre-poo your low porosity hair? What oils do you use?