Low Porosity Hair Care

Before you can take care of your hair and achieve your desired hair style, you have to first understand the unique characteristics and needs of your hair. One such hair type that requires special attention is low porosity hair. 

Whether you’re struggling with dryness, product buildup, or lack of moisture retention, knowing how to properly care for low porosity hair can make all the difference. 

In this article, we will delve into the world of low porosity hair and explore why it’s crucial to understand its specific requirements. We’ll discuss what low porosity hair is, its distinct features, and provide valuable insights and tips on how to effectively care for and manage this hair type. 

By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to embrace and enhance the beauty of your low porosity locks.

This article is the only article you will ever need when it comes to knowing everything you need to know about low porosity hair.

What is low porosity hair?

To care for your hair in the best way possible, you first have to understand your hair type, hair texture, and now, your hair’s porosity level. An effective hair care routine considers these three factors. Make sure that you are not wasting money on hair care products by purchasing products that truly address your hair’s concerns. 

In this section, we will define low porosity hair and identify its characteristics and causes. In the following sections, we will tell you about the most effective ways to care for your low porosity hair.

A. Definition of low porosity hair

Before we understand what is low porosity hair, we first have to define ‘porosity’.

Porosity refers to an object’s ability to absorb moisture. The level of porosity dictates how much water an object can absorb and hold. Objects with high porosity quickly absorb moisture while those that are low porosity are almost resistant to moisture. 

In the hair care world, low porosity hair refers to the hair type that does not easily absorb water, moisture, and even natural oils.

How does this happen?

Our hair strands are made up of three layers. 

The innermost layer is called the medulla. The middle layer is called the cortex which contains proteins and pigments that determine your hair color. The outermost layer, which dictates the hair’s porosity level, is called the cuticle. 

The hair cuticle consists of overlapping layers of flat, scale-like cells that are arranged in the same way that roof shingles are arranged. It is responsible for protecting the inner layers of the hair shaft, as well as regulating the amount of moisture and other substances that can penetrate the hair. 

In low porosity hair, the cuticle layers tightly overlap each other, making it difficult for water and other substances to penetrate the hair shaft. To clarify, low porosity hair can still absorb water, but not as fast as medium and high porosity hair does. 

Moreover, once low porosity hair sucks up moisture, it can retain moisture for a longer period of time compared to other hair porosity types. This means that low porosity hair dries at a much slower rate than medium porosity hair.

Highly porous hair, meanwhile, has lifted and spaced out cuticle layers which makes it absorb moisture like a sponge. However, since the cuticles have relatively large spaces between them, high porosity hair cannot retain moisture. This type of hair gets rid of moisture just as easily as it absorbs which is why it is prone to dryness and frizz.

Medium porosity hair has the ideal balance of soaking up and losing moisture. It absorbs and retains enough water and moisture to keep the hair hydrated and healthy.

Among these three hair porosity levels, low porosity hair is considered the strongest. This is because of its tight cuticle structure which protects it from external damage. But the problem is that it does not absorb enough moisture. Lack of moisture results in dry strands. Moreover, insufficient moisture hinders hair growth and overall hair health. 

Low porosity hair is also most prone to product build-up which can eventually cause dandruff. Hair care products usually just sit on top of low porosity hair since it takes time to absorb moisture, oils, and water. Even if it does absorb the products, it leaves a lot of residue. These residues could stack on top of each other when not properly rinsed. 

B. Characteristics of low porosity hair

Aside from the description of low porosity hair mentioned above, how else can you know that your hair is low in porosity?

One of the characteristics of low-porosity hair is that it does not get easily wet. Hence, one method you can do to know your hair’s porosity level is to see whether your hair floats or sinks in water.

Simply get a glass or a basin full of water and place a hair strand on it. 

If your hair strands sink immediately, you likely have high porosity hair.

If your strands slowly sink to the middle of the glass and stay there, your hair is probably medium in porosity.

If your strands float for a long time then sink to the bottom after a while, it is highly likely that you have low porosity hair

Another method of checking hair porosity is spraying water to your hair and observing if it absorbs water or not. If a considerable amount of time has passed after spraying and beads of water still sit on your hair, then you could possibly have low porosity hair.

Other characteristics of low porosity hair include dullness and dryness due to it being repellant of moisture.

C. Causes of low porosity hair

Contrary to popular belief, low porosity hair is rarely caused by heat, hair coloring, and other hairstyling factors. In fact, the more you expose your hair to heat and chemicals, the more it becomes porous. This means that excessive exposure to heat and chemicals lifts the hair cuticles and creates big spaces between them. These spaces allow moisture to freely enter and leave the hair, thereby making it porous.

So what really causes low hair porosity?

The answer is genetics. Any hair type, whether curly or straight, can be low in porosity. It is more common for straight-haired people to have low porosity hair. However, it is also possible for curly hair to be low in porosity. 

Hair porosity can change from low to high over time due to environmental factors like heat and chemicals. However, the change due to these factors can only go from low to high, not the other way around. 

How to care for low porosity hair

Now that you have confirmed that your hair has a low porosity level, what can you do about it? 

As mentioned earlier, low porosity hair is prone to dryness and dandruff. Hence, you need to take these factors into consideration when establishing your hair care routine. 

In this section, we provide you with tips on how to cleanse, condition, and style your low porosity hair. We also gathered the most recommended products on the market so you don’t have to waste time and money on trying out ineffective hair products.

A. Understanding the needs of low porosity hair

Hair needs to absorb and retain moisture to become healthier and stronger. Unfortunately, low porosity hair has trouble soaking in moisture. This inhibits hair growth.

Low porosity hair can further be improved when cared for using appropriate methods and products. The main goal of a low porosity hair care routine is to increase the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture and to prevent product build-up.

B. Tips for cleansing low porosity hair

An effective and infallible way of preventing product build-up is through cleansing the hair and scalp using a clarifying shampoo. Unlike ordinary shampoos, clarifying shampoos are specifically designed to clean residue and dirt on your scalp. Consequently, it helps prevent dandruff. 

However, clarifying shampoos are also known for stripping moisture that low porosity hair desperately needs. Luckily, in the continuously growing world of hair care, there are a variety of clarifying shampoos that cater to the needs of your hair. 

Low porosity-friendly clarifying shampoos are free from sulfate but still contain enough moisturizing ingredients to keep your hair moisturized and clean at the same time.

Here is a list of clarifying shampoos in the market that are perfect for low porosity hair:

SheaMoisture Low Porosity Baobab & Tea Tree Oils Protein-Free Shampoo

Shea Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner Set, Low Porosity Baobab and Tea Tree Oil, Low Porosity Hair…*
  • MOISTURIZING SET FOR COILY HAIR: This Shea Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner Set hydrates low porosity…
  • SOFTEN, BALANCE, & REVITALIZE YOUR TRESSES: This set contains Baobab Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Shea Butter to…
  • PROMOTE HEALTHY HAIR AND SCALP WITH SHEA MOISTURE: This special low porosity set includes Spearmint Extract,…
  • PARABEN-FREE CURLY AND COILY STYLES: Enjoy paraben-free Baobab low porosity products that provide natural…
  • SHEA BUTTER TO PROTECT HAIR: Our curly hair products are enriched with organic shea butter for moisturized…

* Prices and Images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on 2024-05-01 at 02:27  

For only around $20 USD, you get 13 fluid ounces of clarifying shampoo that promises gentle cleansing yet intensive moisturizing for the hair. It is formulated specifically for low porosity hair, as you may observe from its name. It contains Grapeseed, Tea Tree, Sunflower Oil, and Fair Trade Shea Butter. It is sulfate-free, silicon-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free. 

Mixed Chicks Clarifying Shampoo

Sale
Mixed Chicks Gentle Clarifying Shampoo, 10 fl. oz.*
  • This shampoo gets straight, wavy and curly hair squeaky clean.
  • It restores hair’s natural luster and shine.
  • Removes dulling residue from hair. Infused with botanical extracts. Soy protein, and panthenol add luster.
  • Leave hair clean, smooth and manageable without interfering with the integrity of the strands.

* Prices and Images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on 2024-05-01 at 02:27  

This product contains borage seeds and avocado oils which are perfect for infusing moisture in the hair. It promises a rich lather that helps to gently lift dirt from the scalp. It also claims to work on all hair textures. For 10 USD per 300 mL bottle, this is such a steal.

Carol’s Daughter Lisa’s Hair Elixir Shampoo

Carol’s Daughter Lisa’s Hair Elixir Clarifying Sulfate-Free Shampoo, 8.5 fl oz (Packaging May Vary)*
  • Eucalyptus Oil Clarifies
  • Sage Oil Rejuvenates
  • Lemon Oil Purifies
  • No Sulfates, No Petrolatum, No Mineral Oil, No Artificial Colors

* Prices and Images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on 2024-05-01 at 02:27  

This clarifying shampoo contains a blend of eucalyptus, sage, and lemon oils and coconut-derived surfactants to naturally cleanse the scalp and maintain moisture. It is free from sulfate, parabens, petroleum, and artificial colors. The downside, however, is that it is more expensive than the first two products at 12 USD for a 250 mL bottle.

You might be wondering, “How often should low porosity hair be washed?” You may wash low porosity hair with regular shampoo every other day. This way, you avoid product build up but at the same time allow natural oils to seep into your hair cuticles.

It is important to note that clarifying shampoos are not meant for daily use. Ideally, you should use clarifying shampoos not more than twice a month. If your hair is extra dry, it is better to use clarifying shampoos less often, like once a month or once every six weeks. 

C. Tips for conditioning low porosity hair

Because low porosity hair does not absorb as much moisture as it should, you need to make extra efforts to feed moisture into your hair. One good way of doing this is through deep conditioning.

Regular conditioners are okay for low porosity hair. However, such conditioners do not count as deep conditioning as they do not sit long enough in your hair to be thoroughly absorbed. Moreover, deep conditioners contain higher amounts of humectants and emollients, ingredients that bind water and moisturize the hair, than regular conditioners.

Deep conditioning sounds fancy but anyone can actually do it at home. Simply cleanse your hair with a shampoo, lather an appropriate amount of deep conditioner to your strands, leave it for 20 to 30 minutes, and then rinse it with cool water to lock in the moisture.

If your hair is coily, you might want to lather the conditioner closer to the roots. Otherwise, just apply from the midshaft to the ends to avoid product build-up on the scalp. 

Others recommend using steam when deep conditioning. This is because heat opens up the hair cuticles, thereby allowing moisture to permeate the shaft. 

Here is a list of deep conditioners suitable for low porosity hair:

DIY Avocado and Egg Conditioner

Fresh Hass Avocadoes (Pack of 10)

If you are not a fan of store-bought hair products, you can make your own conditioner at home with three basic ingredients. Using a whisk or a fork, mix ½ avocado, 1 egg, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil until equally blended. Apply the mixture to your hair and wait for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing.

Kristin Ess Hair Weightless Hydration Daily Scalp + Hair Mask

Sale
Kristin Ess Hair Weightless Hydration Daily Scalp + Hair Mask – Soothes Scalp + Hydrates Hair,…*
  • “I wanted to create a mask for the scalp that wouldn’t leave your roots looking and feeling oily. This…
  • Root-to-tip hydration, Scalp rebalancing, Strand strengthening, Frizz minimizing, Soothing + softening
  • How To: Use this to soothe dryness or skin irritation caused by salt water or chlorine. Shampoo hair with a…
  • Cruelty free, color + keratin safe, vegan free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates + silicones

* Prices and Images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on 2024-05-01 at 02:27  

If you can splurge on store-bought conditioners, this weightless hair mask from Kristin Ess provides great value for money. It promises root-to-tip hydration, scalp rebalancing, strand strengthening, and frizz-minimizing.

Kerastase Resistance Masque Extensioniste

KERASTASE Resistance Masque Extentioniste Hair Mask | Strengthening Hair Mask | Detangles Hair and…*
  • Extentioniste Hair Mask: Restorative treatment designed to boost hair growth and strengthen the lengths of…
  • Benefit: After using, split ends are repaired and breakage is prevented allowing hair to reach new lengths….
  • Additional Benefit: Enriched with Gluco Peptide, Wheat Protein, and Native Plant Cells; it targets the heart…
  • Suggested Use: After washing and rinsed out hair, towel dry-hair to remove excess water. Apply a quarter size…
  • Resistance Collection: For weakened hair seeking healthy lengths use with Extentioniste Shampoo and…

* Prices and Images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on 2024-05-01 at 02:27  

Kerastase is a high-end brand revered by hair care enthusiasts globally. Hence, you will not be disappointed with their hair mask. Not only does it promise to moisturize and condition the hair. It also promises to repair split ends and prevent breakage. However, a 6-ounce bottle is sold at 68 USD, which is pricey for a lot of people.

Like clarifying shampoos, deep conditioners are not meant for daily use. You can deep condition your hair for as often as once a week. Ensure to properly rinse after conditioning to avoid product build-up.

D. Recommended hair products for low porosity hair

Aside from shampoos and conditioners, there are a variety of hair products for low porosity hair that are widely available in the market.

CURL KEEPER – Original Liquid Styler (8 Ounce /240 Milliliter)*
  • FORMULATED FOR WELL DEFINED, FRIZZ-FREE CURLS: Curl Keeper Original enables you to become the master of those…
  • RE-ACTIVATES WITH WATER: Curl Keeper Original reactivates with water with absolutely no product build-up,…
  • EFFECTIVE IN HIGH HUMID WEATHER CONDITIONS: Curl Keeper Original will perform 100% of the time, on every curly…
  • SILICONE-FREE: Curl Keeper is a series of products created using only high-quality ingredients. Our formula is…
  • NO PRODUCT BUILD-UP: Curl Keeper Original controls frizz without weighing your hair down or leaving behind a…

* Prices and Images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on 2024-05-01 at 02:27  

For styling and maintaining curls, the Curl Keeper Original Liquid Styler does the job. This product helps define your natural curls, making it look more well-kept instead of looking like a curly mess. It is water-based and does not leave residue on the scalp.

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosehip Argan Coconut Oil Blend*
  • WHO IT’S FOR: For those with dry, damaged, and brittle hair. Hair types: straight, wavy, curly and coily.
  • WHAT IT IS: A silicone-free hair oil that contains a blend of argan oil and coconut oil to effectively…
  • WHAT IT DOES: Scientifically proven frizz protection for up to 48 hours. Our signature oil locks in hydration…
  • HIGHLIGHTED INGREDIENTS: Farewell Frizz Rosehip, Argan & Coconut Oil Blend contains our unique combination of…
  • SAFE FOR: Color treated, keratin treated, chemically-treated, and relaxed hair.

* Prices and Images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on 2024-05-01 at 02:27  

For hair oils, you may consider Briogeo farewell Frizz Rosehip Argan Coconut Oil Blend. This contains argan oil and coconut oil, both of which are light enough for low porosity hair. It protects your hair from frizz and humidity for as long as 48 hours. This restores your hair’s luster and shine.

breahni leave in conditioner – Curling Diva

For leave-in conditioners, you might want to try Breahni’s Leave In Conditioner. It is infused with aloe vera extract and grapeseed oil to combat frizz and provide hydration. This product makes your curls shiny, bouncy, and easier to style.

E. Techniques for styling low porosity hair

Our main goal is to keep low porosity hair moisturized at all times. One foolproof technique that could help us ensure all-day moisture is the LCO method.

The LCO method stands for Liquid/Leave In, Cream, and Oil. The acronym refers to the order in which you will apply the products to your hair. 

For low porosity hair types, it is best to start with a leave-in hydrating mist. Plus points if the mist is water-based. One good lightweight mist from the market is Organigrow Co. Hair Dew for Low Porosity as it also contains heat and UV protectants. Simply spray the mist to your hair before applying a hair cream of your choice.

Lightweight creams are most recommended for low porosity hair types. There are a lot of good lightweight creams in the market such as the SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Hair Masque and Lottabody Moisturize Me Curl & Style Hair Milk.

After applying your chosen cream, you have to seal all the moisture using oils. Again, it is better to use lightweight oils on low porosity hair to ensure better penetration and to not leave the hair looking flat and lifeless. 

Lightweight natural oils include jojoba oil, argan oil, rosehip oil, and avocado oil. These oils add moisture to the hair on top of the mist and the cream. It also acts as a sealant to make sure that the products stay on the strands as the hair absorbs them. 

But just a heads up that your hair might feel heavy after putting three layers of products, even if the products you used are lightweight. To minimize this, simply squeeze a small amount of oils and creams onto your palms, then spread it thin and even over your strands. 

The LCO method allows for low porosity hair to take in as much moisture as it can from three different products. This method can retain moisture in your hair for days. You can repeat this method every other day or as often as you like. 

Common mistakes to avoid with low porosity hair

There are lots of treatments and hair care routines available on the internet. But not all of those are suitable for your hair type. Hence, before following hair care trends, make sure to tweak it in a way that caters to your hair’s needs. 

This section answers the question, “What should low porosity hair avoid?” After reading this section, you will know what common hair care practices are harmful for your low porosity hair. We also provided alternative practices that are more beneficial for low porosity hair types.

A. Overuse of protein treatments

If you have low porosity hair, beware of protein-rich products. The most common protein found in hair care products is keratin. While keratin is good for damaged hair, it is counterproductive to use on low porosity hair. 

Low porosity hair already has tightly-knit cuticles together. Adding more keratin will make the strands stiff and fragile, making them even more prone to breakage. 

But this does not mean that low porosity hair does not need protein. Low porosity hair can benefit from added protein especially when it is frequently exposed to heat or other damage-inducing factors.

If you frequent the pool or the beach, you may apply low molecular weight protein to your hair. Proteins that are low in molecular weight include wheat amino acids, silk amino acids, silk protein, and rice protein. These nature-derived proteins are highly recommended for low porosity hair as they can easily be rinsed off, thereby preventing protein build-up.

B. Use of heavy oils and butters

When styling low porosity hair, avoid heavy creams. These products will only be wasted since low porosity hair does not absorb it well. It will simply sit on top of the strands, weighing your hair down, and making it look flat and oily. The heavy oils that you should avoid include coconut oil, castor oil, and olive oil.

Instead, use lightweight oils such as jojoba, argan, and sunflower oils. Lightweight oils have molecules that are small enough for low porosity hair to absorb. They also won’t weigh your hair down as much as heavy oils would.

C. Skipping regular clarifying and deep conditioning treatments

Do not skip clarifying shampoos and deep conditioners. 

As repeatedly mentioned earlier, low porosity hair is prone to product build-up and dryness. The antidotes to these problems are intense yet gentle cleansing and deep conditioning.

Low porosity hair requires a clarifying shampoo wash once every two weeks at most. Clarifying shampoos offer a gentle yet intense cleanse of your scalp and strands to remove dirt, oil, and excess products. Do not use them more often than twice a month as they will leave your hair super dry and dull. 

To help aid the dryness, low porosity hair needs extra moisture by deep conditioning treatments. When deep conditioning, ensure that your strands are fully coated as you let the conditioner sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Also, make sure to properly rinse your scalp and hair to avoid product build-up. You may deep condition your hair once a week, if you prefer. 

Overdoing these treatments can do more harm than good. So just build a habit of cleansing your hair once every two weeks and deep conditioning once a week. You can still change this sample routine depending on the unique needs of your hair.

The importance of moisture for low porosity hair

We are taught to always keep our skin moisturized and no one questions the importance of moisturized skin. But, surprisingly, keeping the hair moisturized is a contentious topic for some people. This stems from the misconception that moisturized hair looks greasy and weighed-down. This belief could not be farther from the truth. In fact, moisturized hair results in a healthy glossy shine and bouncy hair.

Regardless of your hair type, texture, or porosity, moisturization is necessary. The difference is that some hair types need to be moisturized more often, while some are much more low maintenance. 

In the first few sections of this article, we have repeatedly emphasized that low porosity hair needs to absorb and retain moisture. But, why?

A. Why moisture is crucial for low porosity hair

We have identified so many ways to keep low porosity hair moisturized, but we have not sufficiently discussed why moisturizing low porosity hair is important.

As mentioned earlier, low porosity hair has cuticles that are stubbornly close to each other. They are so tight that they make it difficult for moisture to penetrate the hair. 

Normally, our hair strands’ main source of moisture is the natural oils produced by our scalp. Every time we brush our hair, we distribute these oils from the scalp to the strands. In this process, we keep the hair moisturized. 

The downside of this, however, is most times, the natural oils do not reach the tips of the hair. Also, low porosity hair does not easily absorb moisture, even moisture from the natural oils of the scalp. So, it needs extra moisturization from other hair care products. 

Simply put, our low porosity hair cannot depend entirely on our scalp’s natural oils for moisture. If we do not add extra moisture to our low porosity hair, it will remain vulnerable to dryness. But why is dryness bad? 

Dry hair entails so many hair problems like breakage, hair fall, and frizz. Dry hair is also hard to manage and style. In the long run, dry hair leads to hair thinning which is an even bigger problem. Honestly, almost all hair problems stem from the lack of proper moisturization. 

Given all these, it is necessary to regularly moisturize and cleanse low porosity hair. After all, we moisturize our hair not just for aesthetics but for overall hair health. The ultimate goal is to have healthy and manageable hair. 

B. Recommended moisture-rich ingredients and products

There are two ingredients that you should always look for in a good hair moisturizer: a moisture-attracting ingredient like hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and glycerin, and an occlusive ingredient such as silicon or heavy oils like coconut oil.

The moisture-attracting ingredients attract moisture from water while the occlusives trap moisture into the hair for better absorption.

For low porosity hair, it helps to apply natural oils that are lightweight so that it easily penetrates the tight cuticles of low porosity hair. Lightweight oils include argan, jojoba, sunflower, and avocado oils.

If you do not plan to go out, you may add an occlusive ingredient on top of the lightweight oil. Occlusives act as a sealant that traps the moisture from previously applied products. 

Occlusives are meant to just sit on top of the strands’ surface. Hence, it will make your hair look and feel greasy. This is why we do not recommend using occlusives when going out. 

We recommend that you apply occlusives the night before your clarifying shampoo session so that the clarifying shampoo could cleanse whatever grease the occlusives leave.

C. How to incorporate moisture into your hair care routine

Now that we know the importance of moisture and what moisture-rich ingredients to look for in hair care products, let us explore the various ways to incorporate moisture into your hair care routine.

First, you can start by deep conditioning your hair using a deep conditioner. Deep conditioners, unlike regular conditioners, are meant to be left on the hair for 20 to 30 minutes for maximum moisturization. 

You may try washing your hair with warm water before applying deep conditioner. Warm water helps lift the hair cuticles for easier penetration of moisture. Do this once a week. 

Second, do the LCO method regularly. LCO stands for Liquid/Leave-In, Cream, and Oil. The acronym tells us the order in which we should apply these products to our hair. Start by spraying a hydrating mist all over the strands. Then, apply an even and thin layer of lightweight creams. Finally, seal in all that moisture using a lightweight oil of your choice. 

Aside from incorporating moisture into the hair care routine, also make sure that your hair care routine is free from bad habits that remove moisture from the hair. 

For example, avoid using too much heat on your hair. If using heated tools is inevitable, make sure to use a heat protector to minimize heat damage. Also, avoid chemical treatments, if possible. Bleaching and hair coloring inevitably result in some level of damage, resulting in dryness. 

Dealing with common issues for low porosity hair

The most common problems that people with low porosity hair deal with include dryness and frizz, product build-up, slow hair growth, and dullness. This section briefly talks about the most effective ways to deal with these issues.

A. Dryness and frizz

Dryness and frizz are caused by insufficient moisturization. One way to deal with this is through weekly deep conditioning sessions.

To combat dryness and frizz on a daily basis, you may use regular conditioners every time you wash your hair. Then spritz a leave-in conditioner after washing. 

Also make sure to protect your hair from the sun by wearing heat protectant sprays on top of the leave-in conditioner. Avoid excessive hair brushing and chemical treatments.

B. Product buildup

Since low porosity hair has tight hair cuticles, products cannot easily penetrate it. As a result, hair products simply sit on the hair’s surface. Over time, these excess products build up and attract more dirt and grime from the external environment. If left untreated, product build up can lead to dandruff.

We cannot do anything to avoid product build up but we can do something to minimize its negative effects. One way to address this is through cleansing the hair and scalp using a clarifying shampoo.

Clarifying shampoos gently and intensely cleans the hair and the scalp, removing dirt and built-up products. Clarifying shampoos tend to strip the hair of moisture. So, we recommend doing this only once every two weeks.

C. Slow hair growth

Slow hair growth is not exclusive to low porosity hair. Factors like age, hair type, and overall physical and mental health should be considered when looking at hair growth rate. Certain health conditions, like chronic stress, result in slow hair growth. 

Aside from these, slow hair growth may also indicate unhealthy hair. If your hair does not get enough nutrients, it grows at a slower rate. One way of keeping the hair healthy is to keep it moisturized. 

Aside from keeping hair moisturized, you may try taking oral supplements that help aid hair growth. Supplements that contain Omega 3, DHA, and Biotin are known to aid hair growth

Applying natural ingredients like tea tree oil, rosemary oil, argan oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, and garlic extract also prove to be helpful in hastening hair growth. However, we do not advise that you apply these oils directly to your skin or scalp. It is best to dilute them in carrier oils, like coconut oil and castor oil, before application.

D. Dullness and lack of shine

Low porosity hair also tends to look dull and lackluster. This can easily be solved by applying hair oils.

Hair oils immediately add shine to your hair right after application. We recommend using lightweight oils like jojoba or argan so that it does not weigh your hair down throughout the day.

Final thoughts and recommendations

To sum up the main points that are repeatedly raised in this article, here is a condensed list of tips on how to care for low porosity hair:

  1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize: Hydration is vital for low porosity hair. Use lightweight, water-based products and incorporate deep conditioning treatments into your routine.
  2. Avoid heavy oils and butters: Opt for lightweight oils that can penetrate the hair shaft without causing build-up. Be mindful of the products you use and ensure they won’t weigh your hair down.
  3. Clarify and cleanse regularly: Low porosity hair can be prone to product buildup. Use clarifying shampoos and regular cleansing to keep your hair fresh and free from residue.
  4. Be patient with styling: Styling low porosity hair may require some experimentation. Allow your hair to air-dry or use low heat settings, and try different techniques to find what works best for your hair type.

Throughout this comprehensive article, we’ve explored the definition and characteristics of low porosity hair, delved into its specific care requirements, and addressed common issues, and provided the most recommended solutions. 

In conclusion, understanding and embracing the unique qualities of low porosity hair is the key to achieving optimal hair health and unlocking its full potential.  It’s important to remember that low porosity hair is not something that needs to be fixed; rather, it is a hair type with its own distinct needs. Embracing your low porosity locks and providing them with the care they deserve will result in healthier, more manageable hair.