Does using castor oil for low porosity hair help? If not, what should one do to treat their low porosity hair.
Understanding Low Porosity Hair
Nourishing and moisturizing your hair is extremely important for their overall health. One of the crucial factors contributing to nourished, moisturized hair is ‘Porosity.’ Porosity describes how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture from oils that you apply to your hair. Hair with a low porosity structure has overlapped cuticles that are tightly bound to each other. The structural abnormality makes it harder for water or oils to provide nourishment to the hair. The following shortcomings can identify this lack of space or low porosity hair.
Why Low Porosity is Bad?
1. Hair takes longer to Absorb Products
One of the easiest ways to identify low porosity hair is to check whether the hair has effectively absorbed applied oils or nourishing packs. Since low porosity makes it difficult for your hair to accept moisture, you may notice products still sitting on your hair after hours of application.
2. Hair takes Longer to Dry
Since water takes longer to penetrate the surface of your hair, you might find that it takes longer for you to wash your hair. Moreover, the condition prolongs the drying process as well. So, if you are experiencing a longer time for drying your hair, even with a blow dryer, chances are you have low porosity hair.
Reasons for Low Porosity Hair
In most cases, low porosity hair is genetic. It is a common myth that heat and styling products can lead to low porosity. Contrary to this belief, heat, and chemicals increase your hair shaft spaces, making it difficult to retain moisture.
Castor Oil for Low Porosity Hair
Castor oil is known for a plethora of beauty and health benefits. However, it is not an ideal match for low porosity hair. Castor oil does stimulate hair growth and help nourish the hair, but since it is heavy oil, it is unable to work its magic on this hair type.
The fatty composition of this natural oil does not go past the bound cuticles of your hair. Furthermore, it can create a dense layer over the hair, further blocking the moisture from entering the hair.
What Oil Should I Use on Low Porosity Hair?
Try and use light oils for your low porosity hair as they create a protective layer on the hair and nourish it, but they are not dense enough to block moisture absorption. The oils you should use are:
- Argan oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Jojoba oil
- Baobab oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Pomegranate Oil
- Apricot oil
- Sunflower seed oil
How to Treat or Take Care of Low Porosity Hair
1. Wash Hair Regularly
Since low porosity hair collects a lot of residue on its surface, you should wash your hair regularly to remove any form of build-up on the hair surface. Besides, regular cleaning also ensures absorption of lightweight products that make past the cuticles’ tight bonds. You should also make sure that you pick up clarifying, hair-repairing shampoos for the task.
2. Condition your Hair
You might need to dilute your conditioner with a little bit of water for the process. However, regular conditioning of hair will ensure moisturized and soft hair. For the method, take a light consistency moisturizer in a spray bottle and spritz it on your hair or spray it on a damp towel and wrap it around your hair.
3. Use Lightweight Products
Lightweight products can easily penetrate the surface of your hair, compared to heavier products in low porosity hair. So, opt for lightweight products for your hair. These may include light oils, conditioners, and other styling products.
4. Use Heat When Deep Conditioning
Heat increases the spaces between your cuticles. Getting it done regularly may be a problem for people with high porosity or medium porosity hair, but it is a boon for people with low porosity hair. The process helps loosen the cuticles’ tight binds, leading to easy absorption of conditioners or oils during the treatment. So, get a proper salon treatment with hooded dryers or wrap a hot towel (drenched and rinsed) around your head after applying conditioners.
5. Use Hot Water to Wash Hair
People often suggest using cold water to wash hair. However, in low porosity hair, you should wash your hair with hot water. The hot water opens up the cuticles and allows the moisture to penetrate into the hair effortlessly.
Takeaway
Low porosity hair comes with multiple challenges. It takes longer for the hair to absorb and retain moisture. It is also challenging to maintain healthy hair. In addition to that, styling them is also a task. However, adopting these hair care methods and products ideal for your hair type can eventually help you treat low porosity hair and make a huge difference in managing them properly.
