I’ve already written an in-depth post on the best oils to use for pre-pooing your hair.
I feel that pre-pooing your hair is slightly time-consuming and it’s one of those hair treatments a lot of people feel they can skip.
However, if you suffer from dry or damaged hair or you’re experiencing hair loss – then you definitely need to pre-poo your hair every week or at least 2-3 times a month in order to reverse the damage and get silky, smooth hair.
Pre-pooing is extremely beneficial for people with wavy hair, curly hair, or coily hair.
I myself have curly hair and when I get lazy and skip pre-pooing – I notice that my hair becomes more dry and lifeless – my curls stop clumping and I experience hair loss.
In no way, am I saying that pre-pooing can replace a healthy diet or hydration – you do need to eat healthy and drink lots of water to nourish your hair from the inside out.
But at the same time, oiling your hair before you shampoo will really prevent over-drying and your hair will become more soft and healthy.
I have personally witnessed the results of Jamaican black castor oil and that’s why I can vouch for it.
I had extreme hair thinning on the sides of my head closer to my face and it was kinda bad.
In this post, I’ll talk about how and why you should pre-poo with Jamaican Black Castor Oil.
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I’m just going to quickly recap first…
Why should we pre-poo?
Shampoos remove a lot of moisture from the hair and can really dehydrate the hair, so pre-poo(otherwise known as pre-shampoo) helps coat the hair and moisturize it a little more before shampooing.
When you pre-poo your hair or put oil on your hair 30 minutes to 2 hours before shampooing, you’re giving your hair a chance to retain a lot of moisture even after shampooing.
This helps your hair stay moisturized, strong, and smooth overall.
Regular shampooing without pre-pooing can lead to dry and brittle hair that snaps off easily.
Pre-pooing is especially useful if:
- You have textured hair – curly/kinky hair
- You have very thick hair that is constantly dry
- You have high-porosity hair (your hair absorbs and loses moisture quickly)
Pre-pooing helps restore dry and damaged hair mainly by making it soft, moisturized, and smooth.
Overall, the time you take to massage your scalp and put oil in your hair will go rewarded!
Can you pre-poo with Jamaican Black Castor Oil?
Yes. Jamaican black castor oil is an excellent pre-poo treatment for people who are experiencing hair loss or have dry and damaged hair.
It took the curly hair community by storm a few years ago and because people were raving about its moisturizing and hair growth properties – I’ve used it and experienced wonderful results.
Jamaican black castor oil is known for its moisturizing properties. It helps condition and strengthens hair, promotes hair growth, and reduces breakage drastically.
Now, when it’s used as a pre-poo treatment, it will provide more moisture and protection to your hair before shampooing.
What are the benefits of using Jamaican Black Castor Oil as a pre-poo?
Jamaican Black Castor Oil is a type of castor oil that is derived from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant.
It differs from castor oil mainly in the processing method.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil is made by roasting the castor seeds before pressing them to extract the oil – it’s the roasting process that gives it that dark, smoky color and aroma.
Because the seeds are roasted in a traditional Jamaican method, this oil is believed to be stronger and more beneficial than regular castor oil.
Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect when you use it regularly as a pre-poo method:
- It moisturizes the hair immensely: Because Jamaican Black Castor Oil is rich in fatty acids and nutrients, it deeply moisturizes and nourishes the hair and scalp – it helps restore moisture to dry and damaged hair – making it more soft and manageable. If you suffer from constant tangles – this oil will really help.
- Strengthens and reduces hair breakage: Because the oil helps strengthen the hair shaft, you’ll notice reduced breakage and minimal split ends – your overall hair health and resilience will improve too!
- It promotes hair growth: A lot of people have noticed that their hair growth vastly improved after using this oil. It nourishes hair follicles, improves blood circulation to the scalp, and provides essential nutrients to promote healthy hair growth.
- Soothes and balances the scalp: This oil is very useful for a dry scalp. So if you suffer from dry hair or you live in a cold and dry climate, then this oil will really help. It alleviates dryness, itchiness, and inflammation because it helps balance the scalp’s natural oil production. It’s useful for both dry and oily scalps.
- It adds shine and really helps with detangling: It enhances the natural luster of hair, leaving it looking healthy and shiny – it also improves manageability of the hair, I’ve found that my ponytails look better and styling becomes a lot easier when you use this oil regularly.
Overall, using Jamaican Black Castor Oil as a pre-poo treatment can really improve hair health, strength, and appearance of your hair and at the same time, it will nourish and protect your scalp.
There is no downside to using this oil really, I’ve not seen any side effects so far.
How to pre-poo with Jamaican Black Castor Oil?
Make sure your hair is clean and dry before you start – you can also spritz your hair with some water so that it’s slightly damp.
Do not pre-poo when your hair is wet – the oil won’t get absorbed into your hair and it will be a total waste.
- Divide your hair into sections to make the application process easier.
- Take a small amount of Jamaican Black Castor Oil and warm it up by rubbing it between your palms (it helps distribute better when it’s warmed) or placing the bottle in warm water for a few minutes.
- Begin applying the oil to your scalp and hair, focusing on the ends and areas that need extra care or are prone to dryness. You can use your fingertips. I always prefer using my fingertips as compared to a brush.
- Gently massage your scalp in circular motions for a few minutes to stimulate blood circulation and promote the absorption of the oil. Do this for at least 5 minutes – set a timer. This massage will really help stimulate blood flow – but you need to do it for 5 minutes minimum.
- Once your hair is thoroughly coated with the oil, cover it with a shower cap or wrap it in a towel to create a warm environment. This helps the oil to penetrate deeply into the hair shaft.
- Leave the Jamaican Black Castor Oil on your hair for at least 30 minutes to an hour. For a more intensive treatment, you can leave it on for 2 hours. Do not leave the oil in your hair for longer, it is of no use and will only become more difficult to wash.
- After the desired duration, proceed with your regular shampooing and conditioning routine to cleanse the oil from your hair. You may need to shampoo your hair twice to ensure all the oil is removed.
- Follow up with a conditioner to replenish moisture and further nourish your hair.
Remember to use Jamaican Black Castor Oil in moderation, as a little goes a long way.
You can adjust the amount of oil based on your hair’s length and thickness. Additionally, it’s recommended to perform a patch test before using the oil extensively, especially if you have sensitive skin or any known allergies.
If the smell is unbearable (it does take some getting used to), mix it with peppermint oil or a nice-smelling essential oil so that you feel comfortable using it.
Give it a try – you never know how beneficial something is till you’ve given it an honest shot.
Here are some more posts you will find useful:
- 7 best oils for pre-pooing your hair + how to pre-poo
- Pre Pooing with Coconut Oil – Everything You Need to Know
- Can I Use Cooking Oil in My Hair? [Explained]
- 9 Reasons Why You’re Losing Hair After Oiling It [Explained]
- How Long Should You Really Leave Oil in Your Hair?[Explained]
- Why is Coconut Oil Bad for Low Porosity 4C Hair?