Understanding Low Porosity Hair
Have you realised that your hair takes a long time to get wet—and takes even longer to dry? Or, do you notice water beads forming in your hair while washing? If so, all these signs indicate one cause. You have low porosity hair. Low porosity hair is caused due to tightly packed cuticles on the hair shaft that repel moisture or nutrients from entering the hair. They act as a barrier that prevents hair from staying hydrated. Luckily, with a proper low porosity hair care routine in place, these issues can be avoided, ensuring your hair has healthy, hydrated and vibrant locks.
Signs That You Have Low Porosity Hair
How do you realise your hair has low porosity? Here are some signs-
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Water beads up in your hair and does not soak fully.
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Your hair takes time to absorb water and a longer time to dry.
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Products, including oils and serums, sit on your hair's surface and do not get absorbed.
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Despite regular moisturising, hair can feel dry and brittle.
10 Tips to Take Care of Your Low Porosity Hair
Here are some low porosity hair tips that will ensure your hair is moisturised, vibrant and shiny at all times-
1. Use Lightweight, Hydrating Products
It is essential to use light, water-based products for low porosity hair. Heavy oils or creams are not considered suitable for low porosity hair, as these products will sit on the surface of the hair, causing product buildup.
2. Apply Products to Damp Hair
It is best to apply products–be it moisturisers, conditioners or serums when hair is still damp. Since low porosity hair repels moisture, these products will help lock in moisture, ensuring hair stays hydrated for a longer time. Arata’s Intensive Hair Growth Serum consists of a dermatologically tested formula that combines 3% Redensyl, 3% Procapil and 5% Kopexil to boost hair growth, reduce hair loss, and strengthen follicles.
3. Embrace the LOC Method
The LOC Method refers to Liquid, Oil and Cream. This is a popular technique to ensure hydration of low porosity hair. Here is the method-
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Liquid- Start with a water-based leave-in conditioner
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Oil- Then apply a light oil like argan or jojoba oil
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Cream- Finally, seal your hair's moisture with a light cream
4. Limit Protein Treatments
For strong hair, protein is a key ingredient. But in the case of low porosity hair, protein treatments will leave this hair type with stiffness and breakage, as this hair type does not require additional protein.
5. Opt for Heat During Deep Conditioning
While engaging in deep conditioning for low porosity hair, ensure you combine this process with gentle heat. In order to do this, apply conditioner to your hair and cover it with a cap. Once covered, use a dryer, steamer or warm towel for about 10-20 minutes. This whole process ensures better conditioning, allowing it to penetrate deeper into your hair.
6. Avoid Heavy Oils and Butters
Heavy oils or butters for low porosity hair just add to greasiness and product buildup. It is advisable to avoid heavy oils and butters, which are more suitable for high porosity hair, such as coconut oil or shea butter. Invest in light oils like sweet almond, jojoba or argan oil that can be easily absorbed by low porosity hair.
7. Be Mindful of Product Buildup
Since low porosity hair has tightly packed cuticles, it acts as a barrier which does not absorb products easily. This can lead to product buildup, which makes hair dull and heavy. It is recommended to use a mild clarifying shampoo once in a while to combat this issue, however, it should be used in moderation to not strip away your hair's natural oils.
8. Incorporate Steam for Extra Hydration
Steam helps open hair cuticles, ensuring better hydration for your low porosity hair. It allows better absorption of hydrating treatments, including moisturisers and conditioners. You can steam your hair once a week by simply using a hair steamer or taking a warm shower.
9. Rinse with Warm Water
In order to ensure open cuticles, which provide better absorption of conditioners and treatments, rinse with warm and not hot water. If you decide to use cold water, it is said to close hair cuticles quickly, not allowing moisture to penetrate.
10. Maintain a Consistent Routine
It is necessary to have a low porosity hair care routine that is built on consistency. If you maintain this routine of washing, conditioning, deep conditioning, moisturising and styling with lightweight products, you can ensure hydrated, healthy and vibrant hair.
In all, it is essential to moisturise low porosity hair with effective hydrating treatments, since this hair type is known to repel moisture and nutrients. By simply understanding your low porosity hair's needs, following the above tips and maintaining a hair care routine, you can ensure that your strands are always vibrant, healthy and hydrated.
Low porosity hair need not be a struggle anymore. By choosing hair care products from Arata, which consist of science-backed, dermatologically tested formulations, you can ensure they provide your hair with the necessary moisture, shine and volume that it requires—to keep it hydrated and healthy.
Also read - 9 natural hair care remedies for long and shiny hair
FAQs
1. What is meant by low porosity hair?
Low porosity hair has tightly packed cuticles on your hair shaft that repel any moisture or essential nutrients from entering your hair, causing it to turn dry due to a lack of hydration.
2. How can I tell if I have low porosity hair?
Low porosity hair causes water beads to form in the hair, with hair taking a long time to get wet and a longer time to dry, and products sit on the surface of your hair.
3. Why does low porosity hair need special care?
Low porosity hair needs extra care as this hair type has a tough time absorbing moisture, causing hair to turn dehydrated. With moisture, certain products or nutrients cannot be absorbed by this hair, leading to product buildup.
4. What ingredients should I avoid in products for low porosity hair?
For low porosity hair, avoid heavy butters, oils or excess protein that are not absorbed easily. Instead, choose light, water-based products that help enhance hydration with easy absorption.
