The pre-poo — short for pre-shampoo — is a preparatory hair treatment applied to dry or slightly damp hair before shampooing. Despite being one of the less glamorous steps in a hair care routine, the pre-poo plays an important role in protecting natural hair from the drying effects of shampoo and making the overall wash day experience gentler, less damaging, and more effective. For people with dry, fragile, or high-porosity natural hair, incorporating a pre-poo can make a noticeable difference in how the hair feels and behaves after washing.
Why Does Natural Hair Need a Pre-Poo?
Shampoo is designed to remove dirt, oil, and product buildup from the hair and scalp. However, many shampoos — particularly those containing sulfates — are quite thorough in their cleansing action, removing not only the unwanted buildup but also a significant portion of the natural oils that keep the hair shaft moisturized and protected. For natural hair types that are already prone to dryness, this can leave the hair feeling stripped, brittle, and difficult to manage after washing. A pre-poo treatment applied before shampooing provides a layer of protection that helps buffer the hair against this stripping effect.
Types of Pre-Poo Treatments
The most common types of pre-poo treatments include natural oils applied on their own, conditioner-based pre-poos, and combination treatments that use both oil and conditioner. Oil-only pre-poos — using oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil — work by coating the hair shaft and reducing the amount of water the hair absorbs during washing. This reduces the swelling and contraction of the hair shaft that occurs when the hair is wetted and dried, which is a significant source of mechanical stress over time. Conditioner-based pre-poos add slip and extra moisture to the hair before washing, making detangling during wash day easier and less damaging.
How to Do a Pre-Poo
To do a pre-poo, apply your chosen treatment to dry or slightly damp hair in sections, ensuring every strand is well coated from roots to ends. For oil-based pre-poos, coconut oil is the most popular choice because it is one of the few oils that can actually penetrate the hair shaft rather than simply coating the outside. Apply the oil generously, cover with a plastic cap, and allow it to work for at least 30 minutes. For deeper penetration, sit under a hooded dryer for 15 to 20 minutes or leave the treatment on for several hours or overnight.
After the Pre-Poo
After the pre-poo has processed, shampoo the hair as normal. You may find that even with a thorough shampooing, the hair retains more moisture and feels softer and more manageable than it would without the pre-poo treatment. Follow up with your regular deep conditioning and moisturizing steps. The pre-poo does not replace deep conditioning — it complements it by providing a protective buffer at the beginning of the wash day process.
Final Thoughts
The pre-poo is a simple and effective step that pays significant dividends in terms of wash day ease and post-wash hair health. By adding this one preparatory step before shampooing, you can protect your natural hair from the drying effects of cleansing, reduce detangling difficulty, and maintain a softer, more moisturized result with every wash day.