Because of its inherent resistance to moisture, low-porosity hair is frequently challenging to grow. It becomes even more difficult to maintain length when the naturally dry and brittle 4C hair texture is included in the mix.
It may seem impossible to achieve your hair length goals if you have low porosity 4C hair, yet this couldn’t be further from the truth! We’ll provide you some tried-and-true advice in this post that you can implement right away to grow low-porosity hair. Let’s begin straight away!
What Is Hair With Low Porosity?l
Low porosity hair has closed, flat cuticles that are difficult to penetrate by chemicals, moisture, or water. This implies that instead of penetrating your hair strands, hair products will sit on top of them when you apply them to your hair. Low-porosity hair frequently seems dry because of this.
Your natural hair regimen will be focused on keeping your strands moisturised so that you can grow low-porosity hair.
Also Read: How to use Grape Seed Oil for Hair And Scalp.
Do You Have Hair With Low Porosity?
Low porosity hair refers to hair that has difficulty absorbing moisture due to its tightly closed cuticles. If you suspect you have low porosity hair, here are some common signs to look for:
- Water Beads on Hair Surface: When you wet your hair, water tends to bead up and sit on the surface rather than being quickly absorbed.
- Slow Absorption of Hair Products: Hair products, such as conditioners or moisturizers, seem to sit on your hair without being readily absorbed. It can feel like your hair is resistant to these products.
- Long Drying Time: Your hair takes a long time to dry, whether it’s air-drying or using a hairdryer. This is because the closed cuticles prevent moisture from entering and exiting the hair shaft efficiently.
- Product Buildup: You may notice a buildup of products on your hair over time because they don’t absorb well.
- Difficulty Perming or Coloring: Low porosity hair can be resistant to chemical treatments like perms or hair coloring, as the closed cuticles make it challenging for chemicals to penetrate the hair shaft.
- Lack of Elasticity: Your hair may lack elasticity, feeling stiff and less prone to stretching when wet.
- Prone to Dryness: Paradoxically, low porosity hair can still suffer from dryness because moisture doesn’t penetrate easily. This can lead to dry, brittle hair.
- Floats in Water: When you place a strand of your hair in a glass of water, it tends to float on the surface instead of sinking, indicating that it’s not absorbing water readily.
- Difficulty with Oil-Based Products: Low porosity hair may respond better to lightweight, water-based hair products rather than heavy oil-based ones, which can exacerbate the buildup.
It’s important to identify your hair’s porosity level because it can help you choose the right hair care products and routines. For low porosity hair, techniques like using heat to open the cuticles (for deep conditioning) or incorporating products with lighter textures can be beneficial. Conversely, high porosity hair has cuticles that are too open, causing moisture to escape quickly, and it requires different care strategies. Understanding your hair’s porosity can lead to healthier, more manageable hair.
Why 4C Hair Is Difficult to Grow
The 4C hair type is renowned as being the most challenging to grow out of all hair kinds. The problem is that because 4C hair is so curly, the scalp oils struggle to penetrate the hair strands. As a result, the hair becomes permanently dry, brittle, prone to breakage, and challenging to grow out.
How to Grow Low Porosity 4C Hair
Growing low porosity 4C hair can be a unique challenge, but with the right care and consistent practices, you can achieve healthy hair growth. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you grow and maintain low porosity 4C hair:
- Understanding Your Hair Type:
- Start by understanding your hair type. 4C hair is known for its tight curls and coils, and low porosity indicates that the cuticles are tightly closed, making moisture absorption more challenging.
- Clarify Your Hair:
- Use a clarifying shampoo occasionally to remove product buildup and open the cuticles slightly. This will help your hair absorb moisture more effectively.
- Pre-Poo Treatment:
- Before shampooing, apply a pre-poo treatment to your hair. You can use a light oil like coconut oil or aloe vera juice. This adds a layer of moisture to your hair and can help in detangling.
- Use Lukewarm Water:
- Wash your hair with lukewarm water rather than hot water. Hot water can further seal the cuticles, making it harder for moisture to penetrate.
- Moisturize and Seal:
- After washing, apply a water-based leave-in conditioner to your hair. Follow this with a sealing oil like jojoba oil or grapeseed oil to lock in moisture.
- Deep Conditioning:
- Deep condition your hair regularly with heat. Heat helps open the cuticles temporarily, allowing the conditioner to penetrate. Use a hooded dryer or a warm towel for deep conditioning.
- Low-Manipulation Styles:
- Opt for low-manipulation hairstyles like braids, twists, or protective styles. These styles reduce breakage and help retain length.
- Trim Split Ends:
- Regularly trim your ends to prevent split ends and breakage, which can hinder hair growth.
- Avoid Heavy Products:
- Use lightweight hair products that won’t weigh down your hair or lead to excessive buildup.
- Protective Bedtime Routine:
- Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase or wear a satin/silk bonnet or scarf to reduce friction and prevent hair breakage while you sleep.
- Balanced Diet and Hydration:
- A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for hair growth. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, which supports overall hair health.
- Patience and Consistency:
- Hair growth takes time, so be patient and stay consistent with your hair care routine. Track your progress to see what works best for your hair.
- Consult a Professional:
- If you’re struggling with hair growth or have specific concerns, consider consulting a professional hairstylist or trichologist for personalized advice and recommendations.
Remember that everyone’s hair is unique, so it may take some experimentation to find the products and routines that work best for your low porosity 4C hair. Be gentle with your hair, avoid excessive heat and styling, and focus on maintaining moisture and reducing breakage to promote healthy growth.
