Low Porosity Hair, What It Is, Products For It & More
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Contents
How Do You Moisturize Low Porosity Hair?

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Low porosity hair flourishes when properly moisturized. To effectively moisturize the hair, the closed layers of the hair shaft need to be opened.
To achieve this, make heat your new best friend. Heat opens the cuticles layers and allows for better water absorption.
Apply your hair’s favorite deep conditioner to freshly washed hair. Cover this with a plastic cap.
If using a hooded dryer/steam cap, then 15 to 20 minutes would suffice. If using body heat, some suggest leaving the deep conditioner on for at least 30 to 45 minutes.
Baking soda also has the same effect. Include it in your shampoo or deep conditioner to raise the cuticle layers, allowing moisture to penetrate more deeply and to fully nourish your hair.
Additional moisture can be added by using the liquid, cream, oil method as opposed to the liquid, oil, cream method that is popular with other hair types. Oil works as a better sealant than cream on low-porosity hair, because oil and water don’t mix.
Jojoba, avocado and olive oils are great options to keep your hair looking beautiful and holding shine.
Best Oils for Low Porosity Hair
Low porosity hair generally favours light oils. Here are some oils that you could try out if you have low-porosity hair, and their benefits for low-porosity hair types:
- Argan Oil assists in moisturizing and controlling frizz.
- Grapeseed Oil is great for conditioning and moisturizing the hair and scalp.
- Baobab oil moisturizes without weighing down hair. It can also be used as a hot oil treatment.
- Jojoba oil is perfect for dry scalp and dandruff.
- Safflower seed oil assists with hair loss. It promotes blood circulation to the hair follicles.
- Sunflower oil adds moisture to the hair as well as improves overall hair and scalp health.
- Pomegranate oil works well for dry hair and assists in preventing product build up.
- Sweet almond oil works as a sealant and moisturizer.
- Hemp seed oil preserves the hair’s natural texture. It also strengthens the hair.
- Apricot oil provides immense moisture to the hair. It also works great as a sealant.
TOP TIP: When you use oils on your hair, be careful not to use too much. It’s best to start with a small amount, working it in carefully, especially at the ends of your hair.
If you need more, add it gradually. Try to avoid adding too much to the scalp, unless your scalp is very dry.
Additional Tips For Low Porosity 4c Hair
These additional tips and tricks will help in making your low-porosity hair more manageable:
- Deep condition frequently with heat (body heat or hooded dryer) – heat allows the cuticle layers to open up which aids in moisture absorption. Ensure that the deep conditioner is distributed evenly from root to tip.
- Moisturize your hair when it is damp, not wet. This helps it to absorb the conditioner more easily.
- Clarify your hair using a clarifying product to remove product build-up, as this prevents moisture absorption.
- Embrace satin for headwraps and sleeping caps, as it won’t absorb the moisture from your hair. Cotton and other materials tend to dry out the hair.
- Pre-poo using light oils such as coconut and olive oil. This serves as a protectant from harsh sulfate shampoos which tend to strip and dry out your hair even more.
- Try to distribute products evenly throughout your hair.
- Use the greenhouse/baggy method. To achieve this, simply moisturize your hair following your normal regimen. Place a plastic cap over and secure it with a plastic cap or other snug fitting item, then leave it on overnight. This encourages moisture adsorption.
- Use water-based moisturizers.
- Avoid heavy products on low porosity hair as it encourages product build up which is bad for your hair. They also tend to lead to further dryness in the hair. Try using light oils to seal in moisture.
- Avoid over moisturizing your hair as it makes your hair too soft, particularly when wet, which encourages breakage. We both know breakage is a no no!!
- Avoid overusing leave-in conditioners. They are usually enriched with protein which tends to stiffen the hair. Try alternating with humectants such as honey or other moisturizers for soft manageable hair.
- Add humectants to your deep conditioners and leave-ins for better moisture absorption.
- Limit the use of protein in low porosity hair as it tends to harden the hair, which is not what you’re trying to achieve.
- Discover what ingredients work for your hair. In as much as there are general rules for managing low porosity hair, everyone’s hair reacts differently. Learn how different ingredients in the various products you use affect your hair.
- Because it’s easy for products to build up on low porosity hair, it is better to shampoo and not co-wash. This ensures that any product build up is removed.
Low Porosity Hair, What It Is, The Best Products And More [Ultimate Guide] Conclusion
Despite all the hair care tips provided, everyone’s hair is different. No one rule is set in stone. Have fun learning what works for your hair. Don’t force it – your hair will love what it loves! Have you been experimenting with your low porosity hair lately? What have you discovered?
This really helped me! Thank you very much.
How can I know what hair number I have? 2c, 3a, 4b, etc?
I determine this after my hair is cleaned and allowed to air dry with no product. Some products change my pattern a bit. Some make my curls tighter. I came in around a 3c/4a. My texture in the back is a bit tighter while at the top front tends to be looser.
This was helpful. Thanks.
I needed that information thank you.