3. Protein-Free Conditioners
It is a foregone conclusion that the building blocks of hair is protein and if you have fine hair you NEED protein. You might think it contradictory to use protein-free products especially if you happen to be low-porosity with fine to medium hair strands. The truth is that low porosity hair absolutely still needs protein but can go for longer periods without it.
Protein-free conditioners are beneficial for those of us with low-porosity hair because using these conditioners can prevent the possible buildup that protein can cause on the already closed cuticles of low porosity hair.
This way we can get the moisturizing and emollient benefits of conditioners without the brittle and drying effect that comes with the overuse of protein.
How to use:
You can use protein-free conditioners just as you would use any other conditioner and always use a heat source when you deep condition and this encourages the cuticles to open and better absorb your conditioner.
Where to buy:
You can find good protein-free conditioners in beauty supply stores, retail stores, drugstores, or online.
To get recommendations on specific protein-free conditioners, click here.
4. Light creams, oils, and sealants
Is your hair struggling with heavy sealants like castor oil, shea butter, or petroleum-based grease? If this is the case then you have to choose WHEN you use your preferred sealants.
As we have mentioned a few times before, low porosity hair understands the assignment a little too well when it comes to keeping cuticle openings closed that would have otherwise allowed natural moisturization to occur. This means that once your hair has dried after wash day, your cuticles are shut tight so applying a heavy sealant at this time will leave your hair greasy but dry.
How to use:
To make heavy sealants like butters* work for you, try to use them on freshly washed and moisturized, damp hair. By using heavy sealants in this manner, you can prevent your hair from being overly greasy but still be super soft for a few days.
During your daily moisturizing sessions, you will want to err on the side of using lighter hair milks or lotions that won’t weigh your hair down.
Where to buy:
You can find all manner of heavy sealants like shea butter, light hair lotions, or milks in beauty supply stores, drug stores, or online.
Do you have any products that you have found to work particularly well for your low porosity hair? Let us know in the comments! Otherwise, all the best in your hair journey.
Huvie Joe says
i agree (:
Charlene Jeffers says
Great article.
Martiña Williams says
I did the baking soda on a few shed hair and then did the water test. I was shocked to see my hair sink almost immediately. It just absorbed the water. I did it to my entire head and loved the result
Brittany Webster says
I read in another article that heavy oils are not your friend when it comes to low porosity. I’ve been using them nonetheless but i’m curious to know and would like to re confirm,
Saradine says
Okay, so I have read other articles and the details are a little conflicting. I have low Po hair, and suggestions involve using products on dry hair instead of damp hair and to heat up the oils I would use as sealants. Can there be a clarification please?
Ava says
I don’t totally know, but for my low porosity hair, I apply products meant to primarily moisturize while damp and products meant for styling while closer to dry but still not totally dry. My hair takes about three to four hours to fully dry, so I usually apply a protein free leave in about ten to fifteen minutes after showering and apply stylers (curl activators or gels, etc) at around two hours to three hours into the drying process.
PRISCILLA says
Castor oil works as a great sealant. I mix equal amounts of olive oil and castor oil together and then distribute over my hair.