Low Porosity Hair.... only the strong survive

I took the porosity test and found out that I have low porosity hair. It made so much sense because my hair would take so long to get fully drenched and when it does it takes a long time to dry (even blow dry). But first...what does it mean to have low porosity hair? 

 Alright so now that you know what low porosity hair is and how to test your hair I want to give you some tips on how to manage your low porosity hair.

Products will sit on your hair

If you have low porosity hair your hair products tend to sit on your hair instead of being absorbed.

For instance, you may apply an oil or moisturizer to the ends of your hair. Half an hour later, you may notice that the product is on your forehead and it may even come off on your fingers when you touch it.

Washing and drying takes longer

With low porosity hair, washing and drying can take longer than you’d expect. Because water isn’t easily absorbed, you may find it can be difficult to get your hair really wet and for the water to fully penetrate your hair.

Then, once your hair is wet, it can take a long time to air-dry. Even using a blow dryer may take longer than it does for others who have hair that’s the same length and thickness as yours.

How to care for low porosity hair?

The key is to find products that have the right formulation for low porosity hair. These products will have ingredients that can more easily penetrate your hair.

Apply products when your hair is wet and warm. Heat can lift the hair cuticle, allowing oils and moisture to more easily penetrate the hair shaft.

If you want to know what types of ingredients and products tend to work well for low porosity hair, here are some suggestions.

Shampoo

Shampoos that don’t leave a lot of residue are your best bet. Look for products that contain honey or glycerin. These ingredients are both natural humectant which means it will pull moisture from the air into your hair

Deep conditioner

A weekly deep-conditioning treatment will give your strands a natural boost. It can help if you use a steamer, heat cap, or hooded dryer when you condition your hair.

Or, you can put a shower cap over your hair once you’ve applied the deep conditioner, then use a blow dryer on the warm setting for a few minutes to heat up your hair under the cap. This can help open the cuticles.

For low porosity hair, you’ll want to stay away from protein treatment conditioners. Protein formulas can increase the risk of hair breakage since they tend to pull moisture out of the hair.