Additionally, your hair's natural oils struggle to travel from the roots to the ends due to the tightly packed cuticles. As a result, low porosity hair tends to be: Dry and/or frizzy, especially at the ends. Prone to product build-up, resulting in weighed-down or limp hair.
We often get asked this and yes, frizzy hair is usually a sign of high porosity.
Low Porosity Hair: Hair with low porosity has tightly sealed cuticles, making it resistant to moisture absorption. It's less prone to frizz in humid conditions but can still be affected if not adequately moisturized.
Low porosity hair tends to suffer from product build up because the products sit on the hair fibers rather than penetrate them. Low porosity hair can also suffer from dryness because it is difficult to replenish its moisture levels. Low porosity hair tends to look healthy and smooth but can lack elasticity.
signs you have low porosity hair! ➡️ Low porosity hair has tightly closed cuticles, making it resistant to moisture absorption. It takes longer to get wet, dries slowly, and is prone to product buildup since moisture and products sit on the surface rather than penetrating the hair shaft.
An estimated 20 percent of the population has low porosity hair, but few have even heard the term. People of all races and ethnic groups can have this type of hair, but African-Americans are particularly susceptible to low porosity. This type of hair requires special care to maintain moisture and health.
Low porosity hair can be more challenging to moisturize, but it tends to be more resilient and less prone to damage. High porosity hair can be easier to moisturize, but it is often more susceptible to damage and breakage.
Low Porosity Hair:
Hair may feel weighed down or greasy if over-washed. - Wash Frequency: Low porosity hair typically requires less frequent washing, approximately every 1-2 weeks or as needed.
Cold water is often suggested to close cuticles. However, hair with low porosity benefits more from warm water.
Hair oils are beneficial for low porosity hair because they help seal in moisture and add shine. A light finishing oil designed to deeply nourish hair without weighing it down. Apply 1 to 2 pumps to your ends and mid-lengths, avoiding the roots. This helps to maintain hydration and prevent frizz.
While we sleep, our hair can become easily tangled, leading to breakage and frizz. For those with low porosity hair, this can be especially problematic as it is more prone to tangles.
For low porosity hair, light oils like jojoba, argan, avocado, and almond oil are ideal as they easily penetrate the tightly bound cuticles without weighing the hair down.
We tend to think of curly hair as dense and prone to dryness. Low porosity curls tend to be looser, wavy, or S-shaped. The curls are distinct with a tight, flat cuticle that prevents moisture from entering and exiting the hair. This is why low porosity hair can often look limp or flat.
Avoid Heavy Products and Buildup 🧴
Heavy creams, thick oils, and butters are the enemies of low porosity hair.
The upside to having low porosity hair is that once moisture gets in, it's easy to keep it in. But its hydrating repelling properties typically mean that your hair is often dry. The LCO method (leave-in, cream, oil) can help hydrate low porosity hair types.
Low porosity hair tends to accumulate less dirt and oil than other hair types, so it typically doesn't need to be washed as frequently. In fact, over-washing low porosity hair can actually strip it of its natural oils and make it more prone to dryness.
Low porosity hair: The cuticles in low porosity hair are tightly packed together, this makes it difficult for moisture to enter the hair shaft. Due to this, pure coconut oil may not be beneficial to this porosity type.
In the case of low porosity hair , the cuticles are naturally closed, leaving little room for moisture to penetrate naturally. Low porosity hair can also be difficult to style, as it tends to get oily quickly and doesn't last long.
There is no such thing as a rare hair porosity. Hair porosity is a measure of how easily hair can absorb and retain moisture, and it can vary from low to high. All three types of hair porosity (low, medium, and high) are common and can occur in individuals of any ethnicity and hair type.
While certain hair types, such as tightly coiled hair commonly found in Black and African American hair, may be more prone to low porosity, individuals of any race or ethnicity can have low porosity hair.