5 Low Porosity Hair Care Tips
Chances are good that if you have low porosity hair, you were born with it. Our hair's porosity is one of those things that get passed down through genetics. And like anything else we're born with, we learn what works for our hair type and what doesn't. But if you haven't found what works for you yet, we can. We’ll show you how to take care of low porosity hair and how to tell if you have it in the first place.
What is Low Porosity Hair?
Low porosity hair means your hair cuticles lay flat and are tightly packed together. The opposite of low porosity hair is high porosity hair. Signs of high porosity hair are cuticles that are too open and spread apart. Tightly closed cuticles are good for locking in shine and moisture, but not so good for trying to get moisture to penetrate your strands in the first place.
When the cuticles are tightly packed together, it is difficult for outside moisture to get in. And for your hair’s natural oil to travel down and reach the end of the hair strand. The result can be dehydrated hair with dry frizzy ends. Low porosity can also lead to stunted hair length, breakage, and dullness because natural oils can’t reach the bottom of the hair strand.
How To Care for Low Porosity Hair
Although it can be tough for your naturally low porosity hair to obtain moisture, it is possible. With the right products in your hair care routine, you can achieve your best hair yet. The main goal of a low porosity hair care routine is to increase your hair's ability to retain moisture. Doing so makes it stronger, shinier, healthier, and can get longer.
Here are our top tips for low porosity hair care:
1. Treat and Prevent Build Up
Due to its difficulty absorbing moisture, low porosity hair has a hard time absorbing product. As a result, it is prone to build up. Build up can make hair feel oily, look dull and dirty, and make it difficult for any additional product to reach the core of the hair. To prevent regular build up, make sure you’re using a cleansing yet hydrating shampoo that deep cleans without stripping the hair of its hydrating oils, such as our Scalp Protection Shampoo.
2. Beware of Protein
Protein is often found in repairing hair products because of its ability to strengthen the hair cuticle. However, low porosity hair is protein-sensitive because the cuticles are already tightly packed together. Adding additional protein to a low porosity hair care routine can cause the hair to become stiff and fragile. As a result, instead of stronger hair, you’re left with hair more prone to breakage. Protein is often found in conditioners, deep conditioning treatments, and hair masks. Your low porosity hair will be better off with a protein free formula such as our Scalp Protection Conditioner.
3. Avoid Silicones
Silicones form a hydrophobic coating on hair strands that act as a barrier to hydrating and moisturizing ingredients. This make it even more difficult for low porosity strands to get moisture. You don’t have to worry about this synthetic ingredient when shopping Louticia's Hair Essentials. All of our hair products are formulated with only high quality ingredients that work. So, you can feel good about what you’re putting on your hair.
4. Use a Satin or Silk Pillowcase
You’ve probably caught on here, but moisture retention is the name of the game for thriving low porosity hair. An area where you may not realize your hair is fighting with your environment is during sleep. Tossing and turning on a cotton pillowcase will not only cause strands to tangle and break but also pulls moisture from your hair. Keep all that hard-worked-for moisture intact by sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase or wearing a hair cap to bed. A hair bonnet will also retain heat, so any moisturizing products you just applied will continue to soak into your hair overnight.
5. Avoid Using Heavy Products
Heavier hair products such as butter and creams may be an option for how to fix high porosity hair, but they can be tough for low porosity hair to absorb. Instead of doing their job, they will sit on top of the hair and feel sticky or thick right away or build up over time. Build up will cause the hair to thicken and harden, making it even more difficult for low porosity hair to absorb moisture.
___________________
You may also enjoy: Difference Between 4b and 4c Hair