Low-Porosity Hair: Causes, Characteristics & Best Tips In 2024

Have you ever tried applying a moisturizing product to your hair and felt like it just sat there? Do you feel like your hair takes forever to get wet? Low porosity hair is a unique hair type that requires specific care and attention to maintain its health and appearance. Understanding the intricacies of hair porosity is crucial in developing a tailored hair care routine that enhances its vitality and beauty. But what exactly is hair porosity, and how can you know if you have low, medium, or high porosity hair? 

In simple terms, hair porosity refers to the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. It is determined by the condition of the hair’s cuticle, which is the outermost layer of the hair shaft. The hair cuticle plays a crucial role^[1] in regulating the passage of moisture and nutrients in and out of the hair. 

What Is Low Porosity Hair, And What Causes It?

Low-porosity hair is a type of hair characterized by tightly bound cuticles that resist moisture absorption. It is commonly seen in people with natural hair, curly hair texture, or over-processed hair, but people with straight hair can have it, too.  It is a characteristic^[2] of damaged hair.

In low-porosity tresses, the outermost layer of the hair shaft, known as the cuticle, has tightly packed cells that make it difficult for water, oils, and hair care products to penetrate the hair shaft. There are a few reasons why a person might have low porosity hair. 

Genetics play a role, as certain hereditary traits can influence the hair’s porosity level. Environmental factors, such as excessive heat exposure from heat-styling tools, can cause damage to the cuticle. Additionally, chemical damage from overusing harsh treatments, such as bleaches or chemical relaxers, can harm the cuticles and reduce porosity. 

Low-porosity hair tends to absorb moisture more slowly than more porous hair, resulting in longer drying times after washing or applying hair products. It is also prone to product buildup, making the hair appear dull and lifeless. Applying water to low-porosity hair often forms beads that sit on top of the hair instead of being absorbed. Furthermore, low-porosity hair can resist chemical treatments and require lower processing times and higher product concentration to achieve the desired results.

Low Porosity Hair Characteristics

Low porosity hair possesses several distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other hair types. Here are five signs of low-porosity hair:

Product Buildup

Since low-porosity hair has difficulty absorbing products, it is very prone to product buildup. Product residue can accumulate on the hair strands over time, leaving your locks feeling weighed down, greasy, or dull. It’s important to use lightweight, water-based low-porosity hair products that don’t further weigh down the hair and lower the likelihood of buildup. 

Water Beading

One of the most visible characteristics of low-porosity hair is water beading. When water is applied to this hair type, it tends to form beads or droplets on the hair’s surface rather than being readily absorbed. This happens because the closed-up cuticles create a hydroponic barrier, making it difficult for water molecules to penetrate the hair shaft. It is worth noting, however, that contrary to popular belief, water beading doesn’t necessarily indicate unhealthy hair; rather, it is a characteristic of low porosity.  

Chemical Treatment Resistance

Due to its inability to trap moisture, low-porosity hair can resist chemical treatments, such as coloring, relaxing, or perming. The close-together cuticles make it difficult for the chemicals to enter the hair shaft, requiring longer processing times and sometimes higher product concentrations to achieve the desired results. If you have low-porosity hair, it’s better to consult with a professional stylist to ensure proper processing and avoid potential damage. 

Heat Tolerance

Low-porosity hair can have a higher heat tolerance than medium or high-porosity hair. However, heat styling tools may increase hair porosity^[3] and should only be used sporadically to avoid excessive damage. Applying heat protectant spray or serum before styling with heat can help minimize potential harm.  

Product Efficiency

Finally, here is some good news for low-hair porosity folks! While this hair type may have challenges absorbing and retaining moisture, once products penetrate the hair shaft, they are more effective and provide longer-lasting hydration. The closed cuticles help trap moisture within the hair strand, reducing moisture loss, promoting sustained hydration, reducing frizz, and improving manageability. 

How To Test Hair Porosity

If you are unsure about your hair’s porosity level, you can perform a simple test at home to determine it. Here are three commonly used methods:

The Float Test

• Start with clean, dry hair free of hair care products. 
• Pluck a few strands of hair from different areas of your head. 
• Fill a clear bowl or glass with room-temperature water.
• Gently drop the strands into the water and wait a minute or two. 
• You may have low-porosity hair if the hair strands float on the water’s surface.  

The Spray Bottle Test

• Start with clean, dry hair. 
• Fill a spray bottle with water.
• Spritz a small section of hair with water, thoroughly dampening it. 
• Observe how the water interacts with your hair; if it beads up or rolls off your hair without it being absorbed, you may have low-porosity hair. 

The Slip’ N Slide Test

• Take a strand of clean, dry hair.
• Hold the strand between your thumb and index finger.
• Starting from the ends, slide your fingers up the strand towards the scalp. 
• Observe how the hair feels as you slide your fingers. Pay attention to any resistance or roughness.  
• You may have low-porosity hair if your fingers slide smoothly along the hair strand with minimal friction.
• You may have higher porosity hair if your fingers encounter resistance or roughness. A rougher texture suggests that the cuticles are more open or damaged. 

Tips To Care For Low-Porosity Hair

Caring requires a specific approach to maintain health and enhance its natural beauty. Here are five top tips to incorporate into your healthy hair care routine:

• Use clarifying shampoo once a month to remove product buildup.
• Apply low-porosity hair deep conditioning^[4] or hot oil treatment, such as Argan oil or coconut-based hair oils,^[5] before shampooing to open the hair cuticles and improve product absorption. 
• Opt for lightweight, water-based products that won’t weigh down your hair or cause buildup. 
• Apply a heat protectant before using heat-styling tools. 
• Avoid silicone products. Silicones form a hydrophobic coating that prevents water from penetrating the hair strands. 
• Decrease the use of dyes and bleaching^[6] as this increases hair porosity.

Final Thoughts

Low porosity hair requires specialized care to maintain its health and natural beauty. By understanding how porosity works, what causes it, and how to care for it, you can develop an effective hair care routine tailored to your specific hair type. Remember to choose products that promote product absorption and minimize heat to avoid further damage. 

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