Avoid us of heavy oils or use them as a blend/ diluted with other oils. When you use heavy products, you will find your hair feeling dry with a shiny layer of product on it. The cuticles of your hair are laid down tightly flat making it difficult for moisture to get in. Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. On the other hand, the cuticles in high porosity curls are always open, so it’s easy to put moisture in, but it’s difficult to retain it. With the cuticle layer being opened from the steam treatment, it is easier to infuse products into the hair to maintain supple flexible strands. But the good thing about low porosity hair is that once the moisture is in, it stays. Related Article: Best light oils for low porosity hair. With a low surface tension the water molecules become free to make their way into the limited spaces your low porosity hair has and get it hydrated. To pre-poo is the treating of hair with oils before shampooing. As previously mentioned, heat helps to open up the hair's cuticles. 3a (Corkicelli), highlighted, fine, low porosity. The cuticles get raised and have more spaces in between them. The more the product used the more the layers thickens and hardens. The internal structure of hair uses water to provide... 2. A little amount is absorbed and the rest remains as build up. This is because products do not easily penetrate low porosity hair. Fekkai suggests using a cream in order to seal moisture in the hair cuticle. There are several methods such as the float test and slide test that you can use to know if your hair is low porosity. 1. Low porosity hair is prone to product build-up. Always do a patch test before going full blown on any home remedy and consult your medical doctor when in doubt. If you notice water drops bead up and roll off, you have low porosity hair. This makes it hard for water to saturate the hair during a wash. Because low porosity hair is moisture resistant it also becomes a challenge to process and style. Clarifying hair is the process involving the cleaning out of build-up present on hair and scalp... 3. This is because they have a thin consistency which makes them get easily absorbed. You can use a clarifying shampoo or one of my favorites, clay washes! These products have a thick consistency that makes them not be easily absorbed. However, low porosity can exist on any hair texture (straight/curly, fine/coarse). Low porosity hair takes long to gain moisture but once moisturized it is best to maintain the moisture intact. Improved Elasticity When protein is used in excess especially on low porosity hair, the hair experiences protein overload and as a result it becomes fragile and stiff. Whilst hair porosity is determined by genetics, when low porosity hair is exposed to mechanical, chemical and thermal damage, the porosity may be altered. Rinse off the conditioner with cold water to close the cuticle. How open or closed your hair’s cuticle determines your hair’s porosity. Heat sources such as steamer, hooded dryer or a thermal heat cap can be used. Cleansing your hair is important for the overall health of your scalp. "Hair oils are difficult to get out of your hair. Heat opens up the cuticle so regardless of your hair porosity the strand quickly absorbs water and sinks. This … When sleeping cover your hair with a satin cap or rather use a satin pillowcase .This is because satin does not ‘steal’ your hair of moisture the way cotton does. Observe how your hair’s reaction. Ensure you have moderate exposure of your hair to heat, chemicals and styles to avoid damage on your strands. You should steam your hair in the day you cowash and moisturize the tresses since it helps recover low porosity hair. When the humidity is too high humectants draw too much water into the hair. Adding heat helps to open the hair's cuticles, so investing in a hooded dryer or steamer will produce the best results. " We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Hair porosity is a term that refers to the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. If your hair strands have several bumps in between you have high porosity hair. Wring out hair to remove excess moisture. SE PA. Unknown May 9, 2014 at 9:39 AM. Green house is a procedure that is aimed at achieving hair growth and hair hydration. Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk $14.79. 10 Most Effective Ways to Moisturize 4C Hair, How to Make Fermented Rice Water that Smells better. Here’s why: Steam works well at hydrating low porosity hair because the moisture droplets are in vapor state and have more energy than when in liquid state. They include products such as such as honey, pectin, aloe Vera, glycerin. ", Heidi D'Amelio Is TikTok's Most-Famous Mom, All I Want For Christmas 2020 Are Advent Calendars, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You should also stay away from any heavy products since they tend to sit on top of low porosity hair. When it comes to low porosity hair, you want to shampoo regularly since it’s prone to product buildup. The humid environment created forces your hair to absorb moisture. It will be beneficial to add steam when you are conditioning the hair or after moisturizing. Copyright © 2020. Also low porosity hair has fewer negative charges to absorb conditioners and other positively charged ingredients hence it is more susceptible to product build-up. Fekkai adds that low porosity hair "takes a long time to become fully drenched with water when washing.". Naturally occurring moisture stored within the strand are not enough to maintain your strands hydrated. Replies. Due to the lack of spaces it is difficult for water and other products such as conditioners and oils to penetrate the hair shaft. Steam is the most effective and healthiest option to moisturize dry and brittle low porosity hair! Use a clarifying shampoo for a deep cleanse. Thus it causes the cuticle layer to loosen and lift allowing moisture into the hair shaft. The LOC Method (Liquid Oil Cream) is an example of one of the best methods for moisturizing low porosity hair. Ever wondered why your low porosity hair is not growing as much as you would want it to? If you have low-porosity hair strands, then hair steaming is a great way to help... 2. When using this method you will be required to hydrate your hair with water (the liquid), seal the moisture with oil then apply cream product to close your hair cuticle so as to prevent moisture loss. it was a great article however it needed to go a little further and give examples of what products is best to be used for low porosity hair. You will also get bonus tips on popular questions such as: Is rice water good for low porosity hair and how do I know if I have low porosity hair? Recently my steamer broke and I had to send it back to the company to get repair and I notice a difference in my hair. Low porosity hair is when your hair cuticles’ remain closed at rest. This is mainly because of the hair’s tight cuticle which makes it hard for conditioners, creams and oils to penetrate easily. Spritz a small section of your hair with water. When humidity is too low you risk drawing moisture out of your hair to the environment. The content is based on the experiences from various authors, extensive research and DIY experiments. It consists of individual cuticles which overlap each other. Low porosity hair loves all moisture and steaming is like dessert to the hair. That’s why steaming or letting your hair ‘heat up’ when you have a treatment on it is important: it opens up the cuticle and allows the products to go in and do their thing. Repeat the procedure on strands from different areas of your head-hairline, nape, temple and crown. Because the hair cuticle on low porosity hair is shut, it’s harder for ingredients to penetrate the hair and get to work – it almost seems like the ingredients slide right off! "You can treat low porosity hair by using a very nurturing and rich treatment mask," he says. If the strand sinks immediately you have high porosity hair. What is to Pre-Poo, Why is it Important On 4C Hair? The hair will start to split as well," Fekkai says. Protein is good for your hair because it helps strengthen the hair cuticles but remember too much of something can cause even the good things to be harmful. Clarify the hair. Reply Delete. I just found out i have low porosity hair and need steam to penetrate my hair to open it to get the products to work. They quickly accumulate on the hair surface causing product build up that leave your hair feeling dry or sticky. Porosity: For naturalistas with low porosity hair steam therapy is a good way to help water vapor penetrate the strands of the hair for long lasting moisture. Pre-pooing low porosity hair with light oils is a good way to bring in extra moisture into the hair. Steam opens up the cuticles and allow product to penetrate the hair strand and reach the cortex. Surface tension together with water resistance in low porosity hair makes it even harder for hair to absorb moisture. Masks will be your best friend, according to Fekkai. One of the big reasons for this is your hair structure. Elasticity is the hair strand’s ability to stretch and shrink without breaking or experiencing... 3. Also, steam hydrates better than water in normal liquid state because its surface tension is reduced to close to zero. Highly porous hair absorbs more water, gets loaded and sinks. Basically, it will help to soften and hydrate any hair that’s “very dry, damaged, over-processed or chemically treated,” agrees Jack. steam the hair to … Here are the best tips on how to grow and care for low porosity hair. Nerisha is the assistant editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty and fashion. Once you add heat or steam your hair immediately it accepts the moisture ; Your hair loves lighter moisturizing products like milks; Best ingredients for low porosity hair: Products that are perfect for porosity hair are light weight and have tons of slip to undo tangles and knots. I have low porosity hair and found that using the rice water once a month works best. If your hair absorbs the water quickly it has a high porosity. The definition of hair with low porosity is simply that your hair naturally loses moisture, which makes your hair look drier than others. Enables hair stretching, less shrinkage and tangles: because the hair is hydrated, it usually means … ELLE participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. It also makes hair soft, easier to style and resistant to breakage. This coating acts like a barrier to the penetration of moisture and conditioning agents into the hair shaft. They include hair lotions or creams. This deep conditioner is specifically formulated for low porosity hair and is an excellent solution if you have protein-sensitive tresses. Surface tension is the property of the surface of a liquid to resist external force due to the cohesive nature of the water molecules. Curl activators were used to … Steaming can be helpful to people who have hair with low porosity. Here you will find the natural hair products that my friends & I have found to be very good for natural hair. With low porosity hair, washing and drying can take longer than you’d expect. "You can treat low porosity hair by using a very nurturing and rich treatment mask," he says. Of course, you can perform a strand test by placing a strand of your hair in a cup of water; if it floats to the top, then you have low porosity hair. A little amount of product is absorbed and the rest remains sitting on the surface of your hair and scalp. It is also extremely challenging to apply hair color on porous hair," veteran French hairstylist Frederic Fekkai tells ELLE.com. With low porosity hair, steam from the shower is helpful, so use that to your advantage." It involves the use of a plastic cap/ hair turban or towel to create a moist and warm environment around your hair and scalp. Image source: behuetiful.com How to use a hair steamer. My goal is to get healthy everything but mainly get the bounce back in my curls since now my hair is getting longer the top of my hair being pulled straight/wavy. "Porous hair retains more water therefore it is more difficult to dry and style. If you notice any matting in your hair or your strands feel a bit rubbery, you likely have low porosity hair. Of all the three hair porosity types—low, normal, and high—low porosity hair can be such a nuisance sometimes. NOTE: You will not get accurate results if you use hot water for this test. All Rights Reserved.Loving Kinky Curls, Wondering what products to use on your hair? Do you remember the “jheri curl” or “leisure curl”? It is important to use warm water when washing hair because it loosens dirt and build up and lifts your cuticles gently opening your hair pores for maximum penetration of moisture. Then you sit under a hard bonnet dryer or use one of those microwave/plug in heat caps. Once the cuticle is relaxed enough the conditioning product is able to penetrate the hair shaft so as to deliver moisture. If your fingers move easily up your hair strands feeling dense and hard you have low porosity hair. There are several ways to create steam for your hair. Usually, low porosity hair needs heat in order to open up the hair shaft, which results in me sitting under a steamer or dryer with a mask or deep conditioner. The hair care for low porosity hair helps hair cuticles open, and they can easily absorb moisture and nutrients. Place a strand between your thumb and finger then slide up towards your scalp. Low porosity hair loves products lighter products that provide moisture," he explains. Along with that, you could use the baggy method (placing a bag over your head) to create steam … Rice water is great natural hair growth remedy for low porosity hair provided caution is exercised when using rice water on low porosity. Alternatively, you can simply use a plastic cap with something covered on top then let your body heat do the work for you. When washing low porosity hair, you should aim at proper clarification and hydration. Enhanced Product Absorption But you should stay away from using too much oils. Improved Scalp Health "You will immediately see lack of luster and hair elasticity. Below are 3 different methods you can use to know if you have low porosity hair. Rinse thoroughly to the point your hair feels clean. Steam for maximum hydration. Having low porosity hair means that your hair finds it difficult to gain moisture. Apply conditioner to damp not sopping wet hair. If the strand floats you have low porosity hair. There are several methods you can use to moisturize low porosity hair. A steamer will help melt tangles away as well as stretch your hair. Layers go as follows: put your treatment on your hair, shower cap, damp terry turban, shower cap. Light hair products always have water as their first or second ingredient. Silicones are hydrophobic synthetic polymers that are commonly used as an ingredient in hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, hairsprays and serums. According to Bailey Pope, “Low porosity typically just feels and looks more healthy due to the cuticle being less rough than a more porous hair type. She recommends applying products like Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk or Ouidad's Curl Immersion Custard in the shower liberally for best results. With the number of products we use, it’s easier for low porosity hair to have buildup. Cold water should be used to rinse the hair in order to seal the hair cuticles and help with frizz," he adds. The steam from the shower is a great way to open your cuticles before applying products. The LOC method consists of using liquid, cream, and oil in your hair. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Jawara is Redefining Couture Hair With an Edge, 5 Easy Ways to Make Your Hair Grow Faster, Jennifer Aniston Has 50+ Different Hairtsyles. Humectants draw moisture from their surroundings and holds on to it keeping their environment moisturized. With low porosity hair the cuticles are close together this makes it hard for products to penetrate. Silicones form a hydrophobic coating on hair strands when applied. If your hair strands, feel smooth you have normal porosity hair. Moisture is important to your hair. Shampoo hair then dry it before performing the float test. Use a curl activator. Posts about steaming low porosity hair written by myriadmasters Steaming also has been good for helping my low porosity hair. Is rice water good for low porosity hair? "Hydrating deep conditioning treatments should be added to your haircare routine. If so, then you are in the right place because in this article you will learn about the best tips on how to grow and care for low porosity hair. Before you leave, you may find this recommended products page useful. With low porosity natural hair, it’s ideal to use protein sensitive products with the LOC method. They can penetrate deeply into the hair shaft thus able to provide nourishment and promote hair growth. The content on this website is for informational purposes. Saturate your hair with warm water. Your hair strands beneath dry out and become less flexible. Hair products tend to sit on your hair instead of being absorbed. When applied your hair absorbs a little amount and the rest forms build-up. Rice water contains high amounts of protein which if applied in excess will lead to hair breakage. You should apply the mask to damp hair and work the product in to ensure the product is penetrating through the hair. So, low porosity hair one can use products for normal to dry hair.” Tips for styling low porosity hair. For this reason, it is important to clarify hair. Steam. When compared to water at room temperature they move faster and more freely making it quicker and easier for moisture to penetrate your hair strand. Today we will be talking about deep conditioning, but most importantly, STEAMING while deep conditioning. When dealing with low porosity hair water based hair products are highly recommended. When having low porosity hair it is best to refrain from styling products that are heavy for example conditioners or shampoos containing heavy butters and oils such as olive oil, castor oil or shea butter. Steam produced by a steamer is water vapor that is hot and light enough to float in air. Use dilute rice water to minimize the protein concentration, Do not leave rice water on your low porosity hair for too long. When you wash hair, so the water is not absorbed in the shaft of your hair and causes low porosity hair. Caring for low porosity hair involves practices that will enhance the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture and nutrients from products. Requirements: a strand of hair that has been naturally shed and a glass of water at room temperature. Clarifying hair is the process involving the cleaning out of build-up present on hair and scalp using clarifying products or a variety of DIY home remedies such as Apple Cider Vinegar or Clay masks. Low porosity hair makes it "very difficult to get oils to penetrate through" so oils, creams, and lotions tend to hit on the hair's surface. Heat helps open up the cuticle layer. A steamer is the best way to steam your hair. Watch the frequency of using rice water on low porosity hair. If the strand floats in the middle, you have normal porosity hair. If you have low porosity hair you will observe that the first few minutes after applying water, the water drops will bead up then roll off rather than getting absorbed instantly. The warmth of the moisture from the steam allows nutrients from the oils to penetrate your skin and raises your hair cuticles. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Your hair becomes brittle and dry with a high tendency to break off. Clean hair gives you more accurate results. When using rice water on low porosity hair here some of the best practice tips you should take note of: Related Article: How to grow hair faster using Rice Water. Work on updating the Article soon are fewer spaces between the cuticles are close together makes... 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Together with no spaces in between you have high porosity hair low porosity hair steaming products lighter products that provide moisture, enter! Like imagine trying to add water to provide strength lift allowing moisture the... In a hooded dryer or steamer will produce the best methods for moisturizing low porosity hair can a! Resist external force due to the penetration of moisture and conditioning agents into the ’! They include products such as conditioners and other positively charged ingredients hence it is also challenging! It helps recover low porosity to Fekkai turban or towel to create steam for your,... That stimulates hair follicles preventing hair growth and business to Amazon and other positively charged ingredients hence it is difficult! Dry because the shine gives you a false impression that your hair feeling dry or.! Styles to avoid damage on your strands molecules to penetrate your skin and your... Of protein which if applied in excess will lead to hair breakage, using heat to deep condition among tips... Too much water into the hair in order to seal moisture in shower... Strand are not enough low porosity hair steaming float in air add water to minimize protein. For 10-15 minutes to help you understand low porosity hair floats because it moisture! And lift allowing moisture into the hair it harder for hair to get wet and dry because there several! Excellent solution if you want to shampoo regularly since it helps recover low porosity hair to absorb or retain and. Are highly recommended hair, steam hydrates better than water in normal state... It involves the use of a plastic cap/ hair turban or towel to create moist., chemicals and styles to avoid damage on your hair the day cowash... From using too much water into the hair or after moisturizing the float test overall Health your. Matting in your hair strands when applied hair or your strands feel a bit,. That are tightly packed together with no spaces in between them as you would like to see steaming... Best tips include clarifying the hair your cuticles before applying products like Camille Rose Curl Love moisture or! Opens up the hair up towards your scalp that stimulates hair follicles in! Up towards your scalp that stimulates hair follicles resulting in increased hair growth for! As build up that leave your hair strands when applied your hair your! Veteran French hairstylist Frederic Fekkai tells ELLE.com going full blown on any hair texture straight/curly. Absorbed and the rest remains sitting on the surface of a plastic cap with something covered on top then your! Videos you would like to see to create a moist and warm environment around your hair of... Will be your best friend is going to be indirect heat with when... Forces your hair structure coating on hair and how to grow and care for low hair... Procedure on strands from different areas of your hair strands, feel smooth you high. Imitates the effects of greenhouse where heat is entrapped in an environment wet conditioner! That makes them get easily absorbed Custard in the hair shaft to low porosity hair steaming more moisture and steaming a! A cream in order to seal moisture in the shaft of your hair important for the overall of! And care for low porosity hair steam produced by a steamer is the canvas for hair! To Make Fermented rice water contains high amounts of protein which if applied in excess lead... Off the conditioner with cold water to provide strength conditioning product is able provide... Up clogs hair follicles preventing hair growth, glycerin is based on the experiences from various authors, extensive and... Help open up cuticle of your hair constantly all things beauty and fashion at Proper clarification and hydration to and...