Use a deep conditioner or hair mask formulated for low-porosity hair once a week to moisturize and nourish your scalp and hair. Look for ingredients like honey, aloe vera, and glycerin that help to hydrate and soften the hair.
Try a hair steamer
Incorporating a hair steamer into your routine can help open the hair cuticle, allowing your moisturizing low porosity hair products to better penetrate your strands. With that said, be careful not to steam your hair too often as excessive heat can damage your tresses.
Look for moisturizing conditioners or leave-ins that don't have silicones or heavy oils (like coconut oil, almond and argan are okay) and if possible avoid products with protein (rice protein is commonly used) since low porosity hair that isn't heat damaged usually hates protein.
Wash your tresses with warm water and apply a deep hydrating conditioner. Further, cover your hair with a shower cap for 10-15 minutes. The heat from your hair helps open up the cuticles, allowing hydration from the conditioner to easily penetrate the strands.
Avoid Heavy Products and Buildup 🧴
Heavy creams, thick oils, and butters are the enemies of low porosity hair.
Steaming is a great way for low-porosity hair to absorb moisture. It opens up hair cuticles, allowing better absorption of moisture and nutrients from conditioners or treatments. You can use a handheld steamer or simply take a warm shower. Just let the conditioner sit in your hair while you shower.
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.
Beware of Protein
However, low porosity hair is protein-sensitive because the cuticles are already tough and tightly packed together. Adding additional protein to a low porosity hair care routine can cause the hair to become stiff and fragile, so instead of stronger hair, you're left with hair more prone to breakage.
In fact, over-washing low porosity hair can actually strip it of its natural oils and make it more prone to dryness. As a general rule, low porosity hair should be washed no more than once a week or every two weeks. However, this can vary depending on your individual hair needs and lifestyle.
Use warm water: When washing your hair, use warm water to open up the cuticles slightly. This will aid in better product absorption. However, avoid using excessively hot water, as it can strip your hair of natural oils and lead to dryness.
Split ends are a common hallmark of low porosity hair that isn't getting enough moisture. If you're still unsure of your hair's porosity type, try the strand test! Simply place a strand of hair in a glass of water and observe. If the strand floats to the top, you're working with low porosity hair.
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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. To prevent this, consider investing in a satin pillowcase or bonnet to protect your straight hair while you sleep.
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.
Dove Celebrity Stylist Mark Townsend says, “A deep conditioning treatment, like a hair mask, is the best way to moisturize low porosity hair. Apply a mask, like Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Spa Recovery Mask, to wet hair and cover with a shower cap for 15 minutes once a week before rinsing out.”
But low porosity hair types benefit most from LIGHT leave-ins, like Olaplex's vegan creme. Its bond-building technology strengthens and hydrates all hair types.
Detox regularly: Since low porosity hair is prone to buildup, it's important to detox your hair of any residues – from hard water minerals to product buildup – that can prevent moisture from penetrating.
Rice water can be highly beneficial for all hair types, including low porosity hair, as long as it's used correctly. It's a natural, affordable, and safe treatment that can help to restore hydration and improve hair health. Using it in combination with other treatments, products, or services can also be beneficial.
Hair Growth Oil
For instance, coconut oil or castor oil is regarded as one of the best for low porosity hair because it contains saturated fats and vitamin E, which moisturize and nourish hair. Argan oil is another option. You can also use the Mamaearth hair oil to curb hair loss.
Use coconut oil regularly and you may also use a hair serum made at home using ingredients like argan oil, olive oil, or almond oil and aloe vera. Another effective ingredient to use as a part of home remedies for low porosity hair is baking soda.
As your hair has an acidic PH, usually 5.5, it will react much better to slightly acidic products. Alkaline or basic pH shampoos and conditioners cause the hair to swell and the cuticles to open - increasing the hair porosity.
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.