Hair Plopping

Q: Someone told me about hair plopping but I still don't understand what it is. What exactly is it and how do I plop my hair?

A: Hair plopping is a gentle drying technique specifically for people with curly, wavy, or textured hair. It involves wrapping your wet hair in a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel in a way that allows your curls to maintain their natural shape while absorbing excess moisture. Unlike traditional towel drying, which can cause frizz and disrupt curls, plopping helps enhance your hair's natural texture while reducing drying time.

The technique gets its name from the motion you make when placing your hair onto the fabric - you literally "plop" your curls down rather than rubbing or scrunching them. This preservation of the curl structure is what makes plopping so effective for maintaining definition and reducing frizz.

How to plop:

To plop your hair, start with freshly washed hair that's soaking wet. Apply your leave-in conditioner, curl cream, or styling products while your hair is still very damp, as this is when your curls are most receptive to product absorption. Next, lay a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel flat on your bed or a clean surface, with the sleeves or corners pointing toward you.

Flip your head upside down and gently lower your hair onto the center of the fabric, allowing your curls to fall naturally without disturbing their pattern. The key is to avoid any rubbing or manipulation that could cause frizz. Once your hair is positioned on the fabric, bring the bottom edge up to your hairline at the nape of your neck, then take the sleeves or sides and wrap them around your head, securing everything at the top or back of your head with a gentle twist or knot.

Wet hair, wrapped in a t-shirt to plop it

Leave your hair plopped for anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on your hair's thickness and how much moisture you want to remove. Many people plop their hair for 20 to 45 minutes as part of their morning hair routine, while others prefer to plop overnight for convenience. The fabric will absorb excess water without roughing up the hair cuticle.

When you're ready to remove the plop, gently unwrap the fabric and let your hair fall naturally. Avoid touching or scrunching your curls immediately after plopping, as they'll be in a delicate state. You can either air dry from this point or use a diffuser on low heat if you need to speed up the process.

Cotton t-shirts work particularly well for plopping because the fabric is smooth and won't snag on hair strands. Old t-shirts are perfect for this purpose since you don't need to worry about getting them damp. Microfiber towels are another excellent option because they're specifically designed to be gentle on hair while being highly absorbent.

Hair plopping infographic - How to plop hair

Benefits of plopping:

The benefits of plopping extend beyond just frizz reduction. This method helps your curls set in their natural pattern, often resulting in more defined spirals and waves. It also reduces the overall drying time since much of the excess water is absorbed by the fabric during the plopping process. Many people find that their curls have more volume and bounce after plopping.

Plopping is just one part of a curly hair routine. The plopping technique works best when combined with other curl-friendly practices like using sulfate-free shampoos, deep conditioning regularly, and avoiding heat styling when possible. You might need to experiment with different plopping timings to find what works best for your hair.

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