So, you've found out that you have low porosity hair. But, just what does that mean, and how can we take this into account when crafting our dream curl routine?
*Psssttt*: If you're a little unsure as to what porosity is, we recommend having a read of our article on exactly that, right here. In turn, if you're unsure what your own porosity is, we've got a post to help you figure that out here too!
So, we know that moisture is key to maintaining lush, healthy curls - but there's more to keeping your hair moisturised than simply using moisture-rich products... Yup, you've guessed it, your hair's porosity is a big deal here!
Low porosity hair is characterized by tightly-packed cuticles on the outer layer of your hair shaft, which make it difficult for moisture, and product to penetrate through (think of scales that overlap, with very little - if any - gaps for anything to get past). The great news is that your tightly-packed cuticles are fantastic for locking in moisture and shine - we just need to work a little bit harder to get that moisture into the strands in the first place.
If you have low porosity hair, you may notice certain characteristics such as moisture resistance, product build-up, dry ends, slow water absorption, and prolonged air drying time. But fear not! With the right techniques and products, you can achieve stunning, healthy, and well-moisturized low porosity curls.
Here are our top tips for getting the best out of your low-porosity locks:
1. Avoid using heavy products
When it comes to low porosity hair, heavy hair products like creams and butters might not be the best choice. Because of your tightly-sealed cuticle, these thicker and richer products are more likely to sit on top of your strands and make them feel weighed down, instead of penetrating and moisturizing the shaft - this can also cause build-up over time. So, as tempting as it can be to reach for the hard-hitting moisture heroes that are creams and butters, opt instead for light-weight, moisturizing products for your low-po curls.
2. Be sure to properly cleanse
Since low porosity strands have more difficulty absorbing products, they can also be more prone to build-up. If your hair has ever felt sticky, weighed down or dull, this could be a sign that you have some build-up that's just in need of a cleanse - easily fixed!
To prevent build-up and allow your strands better absorption of both moisture and product, be sure you've got a regular cleansing routine in place, and incorporate a clarifying cleanse (a deeper clean) when necessary.
It's best to steer away from co-washing if possible, as you want to be sure you're scalp and strands are getting a good cleanse. Instead, reach for hydrating cleansers with ingredients that help attract and retain moisture.
3. Use water-based products
Water-based products are generally lighter in weight, and can more effectively penetrate your tightly-packed hair shaft to deliver some much-needed moisture to your locks. These lighter weight products will also be far less likely to cause you that dreaded build-up and 'sticky icky' feeling.
In general, you'll want to look for products that contain water as one of its first ingredients - the higher the ingredient on the list, the more of that ingredient is in the product!
4. Be cautious with protein
While protein is great for strengthening strands, it may be best to approach with caution if you have low porosity locks. As the cuticles on low porosity hair are already so tightly-packed, it is generally less receptive to added protein. In fact, using excessive protein on your low porosity strands may cause stiffness and breakage, rather than the extra strength we're looking for.
When looking for masks, or deep conditioners, look for protein-free products that deliver moisture without adding additional protein to the hair.
5. Try heat/steam when deep conditioning
Remember how we said it's those tightly-packed cuticles that keep all that good moisture from getting in? Well, heat is a fantastic tool to open up those cuticles and allow better absorption of moisture and product - this goes a long way when trying to get those moisturising deep conditioning products into your tightly-bound strands!
Incorporating heat can be as simple as wearing a shower-cap (which will retain body heat) while your treatment is working its magic. There are also several heat caps on the market which are designed to more effectively retain heat and assist in the cuticle-opening process.
If you're wanting something that does a little more heavy-lifting, try incorporating steam into your routine. Steam is a fantastic way to open up your cuticles, as water molecules in their vapor form are able to more easily penetrate your strands. The steam that comes from your warm running shower can in itself do a great job to open up your cuticles, but you could also opt for a hair-friendly steamer for the job.
6. Switch to silk or satin accessories
Now, this one isn't just for our low-po friends - but for wavies, curlies and coilies of all porosities! As we've touched on above, the goal is to get moisture into your strands and keep it there. But, what we don't often think about is the fabrics that are in friction with our strands during the day and night.
Switching your cotton pillowcase for a silk, or satin pillowcase will save your hair from the night-long friction of tossing and turning that can not only leave your locks matted and tangled, but also sap the moisture right out of there (eeeep!). If you're not too keen on switching out your pillowcase, opt for a silk or satin bonnet or scarf instead to keep your curls safe from any overnight friction.
Tip: We'd recommend switching your elastic hair ties out for silk, or satin scrunchies, too! This will save you a few dreaded tangles at the least, and a bunch of breakage at its best.
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