Hair Care GuideLow PorosityHair Care

• Your hair takes a long time to get wet
• Products tend to sit on top of your hair rather than absorb
• Your hair is prone to product buildup
• Your hair takes a long time to dry
• Your hair is resistant to chemical processes like coloring

If this sounds familiar, don't worry! With the right approach, you can effectively moisturize and care for your low porosity hair. Here are 10 essential tips to help you:

1. Use Heat to Open the Cuticles

Since low porosity hair has tightly closed cuticles, using gentle heat can help open them up to allow moisture to penetrate.

Try these techniques:

• Warm water washing: Wash your hair with warm (not hot) water to help open the cuticles.
• Steam treatments: Use a hair steamer or sit under a hooded dryer with a shower cap over damp, product-applied hair.
• Warm towel method: Apply your deep conditioner, cover with a plastic cap, then wrap a warm, damp towel around your head.

2. Choose Lightweight, Water-Based Products

Heavy oils and butters can sit on top of low porosity hair, leading to buildup. Instead, opt for:

• Lightweight, water-based leave-in conditioners
• Liquid moisturizers
• Lightweight oils like argan, jojoba, or grapeseed oil (use sparingly)
• Products with humectants like glycerin or honey to attract moisture

3. Clarify Regularly to Remove Buildup

Product buildup is a common issue for low porosity hair. Regular clarifying helps remove this buildup, allowing moisture to penetrate more easily.

Clarifying options:

• Clarifying shampoo (use every 2-4 weeks)
• Apple cider vinegar rinse (1 part ACV to 3 parts water)
• Bentonite clay mask

4. Apply Products to Damp Hair

Low porosity hair absorbs products better when it's damp, not soaking wet or completely dry.

• After washing, gently squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel or t-shirt
• Apply your products while hair is still damp
• Work in small sections to ensure even distribution

5. Layer Products Correctly

The order in which you apply products matters for low porosity hair:

1. Start with the lightest, most water-based products
2. Move to creamier products
3. Finish with the heaviest products or oils (used sparingly)

This "liquid-cream-oil" (LCO) method helps ensure that moisture gets into the hair shaft before it's sealed.

6. Deep Condition with Heat

Deep conditioning is essential for low porosity hair, but it needs to be done correctly:

• Choose protein-free or low-protein deep conditioners (unless your hair needs protein)
• Apply to clean, damp hair
• Cover with a plastic cap
• Add heat using a hooded dryer, heat cap, or warm towel for 20-30 minutes
• Rinse thoroughly to avoid buildup

7. Be Mindful of Protein Treatments

Low porosity hair often doesn't need much protein, as it's already naturally strong and can become stiff and brittle with too much protein.

• Limit protein treatments to once every 6-8 weeks, or less if your hair feels stiff
• Watch for signs of protein overload: stiffness, brittleness, and breakage
• Balance any protein treatment with moisture-rich conditioning

8. Try the Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a technique that uses your body heat to help products penetrate low porosity hair:

1. Apply a light oil or leave-in conditioner to damp hair
2. Cover with a plastic cap or wrap
3. Leave on overnight or for a few hours
4. Your body heat will help the products penetrate the hair shaft

9. Consider Your Washing Technique

How you wash your hair can make a big difference:

• Pre-poo with a lightweight oil before shampooing to protect hair
• Use warm water to open cuticles during washing
• Consider co-washing (washing with conditioner) between shampoo washes
• Focus shampoo on the scalp, not the length of hair
• Finish with a cool water rinse

10. Be Patient and Consistent

Finding the right routine for low porosity hair takes time and experimentation:

• Keep a hair journal to track what works and what doesn't
• Introduce new products one at a time
• Give new techniques at least 2-3 weeks before deciding if they work
• Remember that what works for others might not work for you

Recommended Products for Low Porosity Hair

Shampoos:

• Gentle, sulfate-free clarifying shampoos
• Moisturizing shampoos with lightweight formulations

Conditioners:

• Lightweight, water-based conditioners
• Deep conditioners without heavy butters or proteins

Leave-ins and Styling Products:

• Liquid leave-in conditioners
• Lightweight gels and mousses
• Water-based moisturizers

Oils (Use Sparingly):

• Argan oil
• Jojoba oil
• Grapeseed oil

Conclusion

Low porosity hair may require some extra effort to moisturize properly, but with the right techniques and products, you can achieve healthy, hydrated hair. Remember that consistency is key, and what works for your hair may be unique to you.

For a more detailed care routine specifically designed for low porosity hair, check out our comprehensive Low Porosity Hair Care Guide.