Low Porosity Hair: What is it and How to Treat it

If you've ever struggled to get your hair to hold a curl or felt like your conditioner just wasn't sinking in, you may have low hair porosity.

Hair cuticles in this type of hair lie flat, making it difficult for moisture and products to penetrate the strands. As a result, low porosity hair can appear dull and lifeless.

But don't despair! There are ways to get high porosity hair so that it is soft, shiny, and manageable. Read on to learn more about low porosity hair and how to take care of it.

What is low porosity hair?

Low porosity hair are hair fibers having overlapping cuticle layer (outermost protective layer of the hair fiber) and cuticles that lie flat and . This can make it difficult for moisture and products to penetrate the strands, which can lead to dull, lifeless hair. Low porosity hair is more common with people that have straight hair as compared with those with naturally coiled or curly hair.‌

Low porosity hair have very tight cuticles making it difficult for moisture to enter or escape. On the contrary, high porosity hair has very loose cuticles, creating more opportunity for moisture to go in and out.

What are the causes of low hair porosity?

There are a few different causes of low porosity hair.

Genetics

If your parents have low porosity hair, you are more likely to have it as well.

Environment

If you live in a dry climate or if you swim in chlorinated water often, this can lead to low porosity hair.

Hair treatments

Certain hair treatments can cause low porosity hair. If you use a lot of heat on your hair or if you use harsh chemicals, this can lead to low porosity hair.

Products

If you are using the wrong products for your hair type, this can also lead to low porosity hair.

Hard water

If you have hard water, this can also contribute to low porosity hair.

What are the symptoms?

If your hair's porosity lowers, there are few symptoms that can help you detect it.

1. Difficulty absorbing moisture

2. Appearing dull or lifeless

3. Feeling coarse or difficult to detangle

4. Not holding a curl

5. Frizzing

If you have low porosity hair, you may struggle to get your natural hair to hold a curl or feel like your conditioner isn't sinking in. Your hair may also appear dull and lifeless.

How to determine if you have low porosity hair?

There are a few different ways to test for low porosity hair. One is to take a strand of hair and place it in a cup of water. If the hair floats, it is likely that you have low porosity hair.

Another way to test for low porosity hair is to feel the texture of your strands. If your hair feels coarse or difficult to detangle, it is likely that you have low porosity hair.

Test with a spray bottle is also simple. You'll simply mist a section of the hair and closely watch. If the water beads up and fails to absorb, maybe even rolling off of the hair after a few minutes, you have low porosity hair. If the hair readily absorb water your hair's porosity is high.

You can also test for low porosity hair by looking at your cuticles. If the hair cuticle lies flat, you likely have low porosity hair.

How to keep your low porosity hair healthy and vibrant

Low porosity hair care is completely different from high porosity hair care and medium porosity hair care. To keep healthy hair that have low porosity, there are a few things that you can do

1. Use heat regularly: Using heat on your hair can help open up the cuticles and allow moisture to penetrate the hair strand. You can use a hairdryer, flat iron, or curling iron to apply heat to your hair. Just be sure not to use too much heat, as this can damage your hair.

2. Use products with protein: Products that contain protein can help strengthen low porosity hair and make it more manageable. Look for conditioners and treatments that contain protein if you have low porosity hair.

3. Rinse with cold water: Rinsing your hair with cold water can help close the cuticles and prevent moisture from escaping. Be sure to rinse your hair with cold water after shampooing and conditioning to help lock in moisture.

4. Avoid harsh chemicals: Harsh chemicals can damage low porosity hair and make it more difficult to absorb moisture. If you are looking for a chemical treatment, be sure to choose one that is gentle on your hair.

5. Use a humidifier: If you live in a dry climate or if you swim in chlorinated warm water often, using a humidifier can help add moisture to the air and also help you to avoid ending up with dry hair.

6. Protect your hair from the sun: The sun can damage low porosity hair and make it more difficult to absorb moisture. Be sure to wear a hat or scarf when you are outdoors to protect your hair from the sun.

Treating low porosity hair can be a bit of a challenge, but with the right tips and products, you can help your hair look and feel its best.

Does low porosity hair need oil?

Low porosity hair does not need oil because it is difficult for the hair to absorb moisture. If you use oil for your low porosity hair care, it will sit on top of the hair and can make your hair appear greasy. Instead, use products that contain protein to help strengthen your low porosity hair.

Products that work well with low porosity hair

Products that contain protein

Products that contain protein can help strengthen low porosity hair, penetrate the hair shaft without feeling heavy and make it more manageable.

Conditioners with a light texture

Conditioners with a light texture can help low porosity hair to absorb moisture without weighing it down.

Oils and serums

Natural oils and serums can help to add moisture and shine to low porosity hair.

Hair mists

Hair mists can help to trap moisture and hydration to low porosity hair.

Deep conditioners

Deep conditioning treatments, often richer formulas that contain less water than daily conditioners, can be valuable to quench dry hair. Deep conditioners can help to nourish and revitalize low and normal porosity hair. Less porous hair can also work well with a leave-in conditioner, provided that it's lightweight and contains specific moisturizing agents

Humidifiers

Humidifiers can help to add moisture to the air and prevent your hair from drying out.

Sunscreen for hair

Sunscreen for hair can help to protect low porosity hair from the sun's harmful rays.

How to moisturize low porosity hair

You can moisturize low porosity hair by using a deep conditioner that contains protein, rinsing with cold water or room temperature water, and using a humidifier. You can also use a hair mist to add extra moisture to your hair. Be sure to avoid harsh chemicals and protect your hair from the sun's harmful rays.

Tips for styling and caring for low porosity hair

Start with clean, damp hair

When styling low porosity hair, it is important to start with clean, damp hair. This will help your hair to better absorb the products that you use.

Apply products to soaking wet hair

Applying products to soaking wet hair can help to ensure that they are evenly distributed throughout your strands.

Use a wide-tooth comb

Using a wide-tooth comb can help to prevent damage and breakage when detangling low porosity hair.

Be gentle when shampooing

When shampooing low porosity hair, be sure to use a gentle touch and avoid scrubbing your scalp.

Avoid using excessive heat

Using excessive heat can damage low porosity hair. Try to use a lower setting on your hair dryer, flat iron, or curling iron when styling your hair.

Use a clarifying shampoo every few weeks

A clarifying shampoo can help to remove any build-up that may have accumulated on the scalp and hair strands of low porosity hair.

Avoid using products with sulfates

Products that contain sulfates can be harsh on low porosity hair and can cause it to become dry and brittle.

Deep condition regularly

Deep conditioning can help to moisture retention and add nutrients to low porosity hair. Try to deep condition your hair at least once a week.

Style your hair in protective styles

Protective styles can help to keep low porosity hair moisturized and can also prevent damage and breakage.

Is Olaplex good for low porosity hair?

Olaplex can be good for low porosity hair because it helps to repair and strengthen the hair. It can also help to retain moisture and shine to the hair.

How often should you trim low porosity hair?

You should trim your low porosity hair every six to eight weeks to prevent split ends and damage.

In conclusion

Low porosity hair can be a bit of a challenge to take care of, but with the right products and techniques, you can help your hair look and feel its best. Be sure to use products that contain protein, use heat regularly, and rinse with cold water to help improve the appearance and texture of your low porosity hair. Thanks for reading!