Caring for Low Porosity Natural Hair

Caring for Low Porosity Natural Hair

According to NaturallyCurly.com:

  [Low Porosity] Hair described as having low porosity is characterized by a very tightly bound cuticle layer, where the individual cuticle scales lie flat and overlap one another. Low porosity hair is often quite shiny, especially if it is a darker color. Overall this type of hair is considered to be quite healthy. If your hair repels water when you attempt to wet it, that is a good indication that it has low porosity. It can be quite difficult to process, because it resists penetration of the chemicals being used.

Here are things you can incorporate into your low porosity hair regimen:

Warm Water Rinse
Instead of doing a cool water rinse to close your cuticle after cleansing your hair, do a warm water rinse. Because with low porosity hair, your cuticle scales lie flat, you need to keep them open so that you can properly moisturize them.

Damp or Dry Moisturizing
Do not moisturize your hair when soaking wet. This is because the moisturizer will not penetrate well. Dry your hair complete or up to 80% dry before applying your moisturizer.

Dry Hair Deep Conditioning
It might seem strange to you deep conditioning your hair while it is dry, before washing it, however this totally makes sense. When low porosity hair is wet, it is filled with water and thereby not allowing the deep conditioner to effectively penetrate the strands. The hair appears might appear coated with the conditioner seating on top instead of penetrating.

Use Heat
Incorporating heat into your regimen in the form of steamers and using hooded dryers will help your products penetrate better. You can also use your body heat by covering your hair with a shower cap

Avoid Products that Close Cuticle
There are some products that will close the cuticles. One such product is Apple Cider vinegar. Also, aloe vera gel/juice can be an issue. Instead use products that open up your cuticles. Look for products that have more of an alkaline pH.

If you don't know your porosity, here is how to find out:

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