Pre-pooing (care before shampooing) is a beneficial extra step that both decreases the amount of broken hair strands during the washing process and hinders dryness. This is especially useful for Type 4 hair, as it especially thrives with moisture. Advantages of pre-pooing include:
● Hair that’s significantly easier to manage
● The loosening of knots and tangles
● Provides lubrication and an extra layer of protection
● Softens your locks and prevents breakage
To Pre-Poo, first divide the hair into four or more sections. This is so that it’s easier to saturate the product blend into each part. Your product blend should be optimised for moisture – like jojoba, argon oil or, as directly suggested within Narisse Monkam’s Colonised Hair, Decolonised Mind, “[Coconut oil] when combined with olive oil it can be very effective in pre-pooing your hair”.
Afterwards, coat your chosen product from the ends to the root of each section and carefully detangle any knots (can be done with a wide-tooth comb or just your fingers). Using a bonnet or shower-cap, cover your hair to allow deeper penetration for at least 30 minutes. Afterwards, proceed with the remainder of your wash-day routine and shampoo as per usual.
