Last Updated on September 11, 2022 by The Blessed Queens
how often should you moisturize low porosity hair? That’s one of the most difficult questions naturals with low porosity ask.
Are you moisturizing too often? Or too much? Today we are looking into answering the question of how often should you moisturize low porosity hair!
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How Often Should You Moisturize Low Porosity Hair
How Often Should You Moisturize Low Porosity Hair?
When it comes to low porosity hair in order to get moisture back in it’s a good idea to have a clean head of hair.
Ideally, Once a week is how often you need to wash low porosity hair to keep it soft, moisturized, and free from buildup until your next wash.
Did you know that hair porosity is a key player in effectively moisturizing our hair?
If you know that you’re a low porosity girl then you know your hair cant seem to keep itself moisturized for too long.
Why is this happening Queen? This is due to the outer layer as known as the cuticle of the hair.
The way the cuticle of your hair lays and opens is the determining factor of your porosity.
In case you’re a newbie when it comes to your hair care lets get into things step by step!
What does low porosity mean?
Hair has low porosity when the cuticle layer of the hair is tightly packed and flat.
The cuticle, like shingles, are tightly nested together to protect your hair strand.
Making it difficult for water to pass.
This is the reason people with low porosity have a hard time with their hair absorbing moisture.
When you know your hair porosity you can better choice when it comes to buying hair products. It can also help you build a better hair regimen.
Quick Signs of Low Porosity Hair?
- Your hair is always dry no matter how often you moisturize, deep condition or greenhouse it!
Do You Have Low Porosity Hair?
Here’s what you need to do:
- Make sure you wash your hair first
- Let it dry
- Cut a strand of hair
- Fill up a glass with water
- Drop that piece of hair in the glass of water
- Check if it sinks or floats
If your hair floats at the top, it’s one of the characteristics of low porosity hair.
This means your hair will always reject moisture in the form of water, oils, and creams. As a result, you’ll get buildup on your scalp easily. Here is a video that demonstrates the test
How to treat Your low-porosity hair?
Clarify your hair
Since your hair is prone to having product build-up use a clarifying shampoo to remove the buildup and give your hair a fresh start.
Deep condition with heat
It is important to open your cuticle a bit to deep condition your hair properly.
By using heat you are assured that the cuticle layers will lift so the interior of your strands is moisturized.
You can condition with heat in two simple ways:
- Using Indirect Heat – by applying your deep conditioner to your hair, covering it with a cap and applying indirect heat via hooded dryer.
- Using Direct Heat – By applying a deep conditioner to your hair and using direct heat from a hair steamer.
Use greenhouse/baggy method
The green house method is done to create a humid environment that forces your hair to absorb moisture. The process is pretty simple.
Moisturize your hair as you normally would, cover it with a plastic cap and a beanie/snug fitting hat/hair turban/towel. You can leave your hair wrapped up overnight.
You will notice, when you remove the outer layer, that the plastic cap has water droplets inside of it. The droplets form because of the heat rising from your head.
Humectants are your friends
Things such as glycerin (veggie or animal), honey, agave nectar, coconut nectar, etc… gain moisture from the air and help to adhere it to your hair.
Be sure the humectant you use is properly diluted.
Avoid heavy styling products
Just adds unnecessary weight to the hair and contributes heavily to build up. No bueno.
Use water-based moisturizers
Just test and see because some people have problems using water-based leave-in conditioners containing aloe vera juice or gel.
Avoid heavy oils
Heavy oils sit on top of the hair and aren’t fully absorbed beyond the cuticle layer. It defeats the purpose of moisture retention and softening of the hair.
Oils such as Coconut oil, castor oil, and olive oil are the most commonly used heavy carrier oils in hair products.
It’s best for you to avoid them!
Use light oils
Lightweight oils such as apricot kernel oil, argan oil, grapeseed oil, and sweet almond oil are ideal.
If you love using coconut oil but hate the heaviness, try the lighter option which is fractionated coconut oil.
Jojoba oil is a medium-weight oil and fine for most low porosity hair as well.
Tips for moisturizing low porosity hair
Here are some great tips that will help you better moisturize your low porosity hair:
- Use a pre-poo treatment. You can use an oil, a mix of oils, a conditioner containing oils, or a butter.
A pre-poo treatment adds softness, slip, and weight. Penetrating oils like coconut, sunflower, olive, avocado, or grapeseed are good choices. - Always deep condition because it works best if you leave it on for a minimum of ½ hr but you can leave it on for as long as you like. For low porosity hair, deep conditioning works best with heat (using a steamer, a hooded dryer or a thermal heat cap).
- Seal in moisture with an oil. Low porosity hair usually responds better to the L(liquid/leave-in), C(cream), O(oil) method rather than the famous LOC method.
- Sleep with a satin cap or use a satin pillowcase, satin does not rob your hair of moisture the way cotton does.
How Often Should You Moisturize Low Porosity Hair?
There you have it, How Often Should You Moisturize Low Porosity Hair!
What’s upir biggest hair struggle?!
What to read next? I’ve got you, girl!
- The Simplified Low Porosity Hair Routine For Sassy Curls&kinks!
- 6 Wise Low Porosity Hair Growth Practices For Thriving Hair!
- Easy Diy Deep Conditioner For Low Porosity Hair
- The Ultimate Low Porosity Hair Regimen Strategy
- How To Master The LCO Method For Low Porosity Hair
Xo, Queen
