Our coils and curls are fragile, meaning they are very susceptible to breakage without a sufficient amount of moisture. That is why it’s extremely helpful to understand the structure of your hair and how it absorbs and retains moisture – aka hair porosity! In this article, we will focus solely on low porosity hair characteristics and how to care for it properly.
Low Porosity Characteristics
Your hair can be categorized as low porosity if the cuticles are tightly packed together, leaving little to no space in between for water and hair care products to penetrate the hair shaft. Consequently, the products tend to sit on top of the hair strand making it more susceptible to product buildup. For example, if you apply a moisturizer to clean hair and an hour after applying the product is still sitting on top of your hair strand – you most likely have low porosity hair!
How To Care For Low Porosity Hair:
Now that you understand the characteristics of low porosity hair, everything will begin to make sense in regards to caring for it. So, let’s get into it!
Shampoos & Conditioners
A great tip is to use a clarifying shampoo and heat when deep conditioning. Squeaky is a good clarifying shampoo that will cleanse your hair follicles of any product build-up making it easier to retain moisture. Make sure to follow up with a conditioner and use a heat cap, steamer, or hooded dryer to open up those tight cuticles. A great conditioner to use is Richee Rich as it’s not heavy and will slide easily into your hair shaft. If your favorite conditioner is on the heavy side, dilute it with water so that it’s more easily absorbable.
Moisturize
As mentioned above, low porosity hair has a tough time absorbing moisture. That is why it’s important for you to avoid using an excessive amount of product. If you apply too much product, it will clog the cuticles, making it even more difficult to absorb moisture. Look for products with ingredients that are great for moisture retention and won’t leave a heavy residue. Products like Good Hair, Midnite Train, Curly Magic, and Glossy from Uncle Funky’s Daughter work great for low porosity hair structures as they contain humectants (glycerin, aloe vera, etc). Humectants draw moisture from their environment and retain it, keeping their surroundings moist. This helps prevent low porosity hair from drying out.
In conclusion, low porosity hair can extend your wash days but it can be more challenging to style your hair. However, now that you have a better understanding of the follicle structure, you can choose products and techniques that will make a huge difference in the manageability of your hair. If you’d like to learn more, we encourage you to do your research and pay close attention to your curls!
xoxo
Team Funky! (@unclefunkysdaughter)
