Fine hair is one of the most challenging types to detangle, especially when it is at a longer length. Not only does it tend to knot easily, but it can break and split if you try to comb through it. You may also struggle to get at all the tangles with your fingers. Pre-pooing is the answer to all of these problems.
What Does Pre-Poo Mean?
Pre-pooing is the application of oil-based products before shampooing and detangling in sections.
The Benefits of Pre-pooing
Besides aiding in the detangling process, pre-pooing can help to:
- Prevent hygral fatigue
- Add moisture
- Increase sheen, softness, and manageability
Those of us with fine hair may be reluctant to add a pre-poo to our regimens for fear that it will weigh down our waves and curls. To keep this from happening, follow these tips.
How to Pre-Poo Fine Hair
Apply the pre-poo product in sections
Image Source: @sumans.waves
Like conditioner, a pre-poo must be applied meticulously so that the entire head is covered. Sectioning hair in 4-8 sections (depending on its length and density) ensures the product is evenly distributed. After you apply the pre-poo from the mid-shaft down to the tips, clip the section with a butterfly clip to keep it from tangling back up.
Avoid applying the pre-poo to the roots of your hair
Applying oil-based products to the roots of your hair can weigh it down, especially if your roots are already oily and in need of a shampoo. Oils can also, in some cases, weaken roots and clog your scalp’s pores. For best results with a pre-poo on fine hair, apply from the mid-shaft of the hair down to the ends.
Massage the pre-poo into your ends
Image Source: @colorwow.hair
Taking extra care to massage the product into dry, brittle ends will help to ensure they get the hydration they need. It will also help to make detangling less of a chore.
Carefully use your fingers and a wide-toothed comb to detangle
After you have applied your product to sectioned hair, take down a section and detangle it as much as possible with your fingers. Use a wide-toothed comb for any stubborn tangles needed by working from the bottom of your hair upwards.
Read next: 4 Signs You Need to Pre-Poo
Pre-Poos for Fine Hair
Choose products that are suitable for finer or all hair types. Pre-poo products that have lighter oils and plant milks are a better choice than those with heavier butters which can weigh down your strands and be difficult to wash out.
These pre-poos are specially formulated to work for a variety of textures.
1. Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Pre-Poo
Use this pre-poo to hydrate and restore delicate curls. Its gentle formulation can be used every time you shampoo. It contains soy milk, hydrating oils including burdock root, umutanga and palmarosa, and yashtimadhu and yucca roots. Hair is left restored, moisturized, stronger, and more resilient.
2. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Pre-Shampoo Mask
If you are losing excessive strands to your detangling comb, this mask has you covered. It improves the strength and elasticity of fragile curls. It also seals in the moisture and shine leaving them looking healthier and feeling softer.
3. As I Am Pure Oils Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
This cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil can help to leave your hair stronger, with strands that are able to stand up to detangling.
4. Righteous Roots Rx Oil
Named one of the best hair and scalp oils of 2020 for all hairtypes, Righteous Roots Rx is a hair rejuvenating growth serum packed with 12 essential oils featuring both anti-frizz and detangling properties like olive oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil and peppermint oil to seal in moisture.
If you prefer to DIY or use a product you already own, here are 3 more pre-poo ideas that are light enough for fine hair.
What are your favorite pre-poo tips for fine hair? Let us know in the comments.
This article has been updated for clarity.