Do you get frustrated by the amount of time it takes for your hair to grow? We hear you. When you have low porosity hair growth issues, it may feel like your mane doesn’t grow at all. This is simply not true, however, there are a few things you can do. Today you are in luck as we’ll be telling you all about how to grow low porosity hair.
By knowing your hair’s porosity level you’ll be able to choose the right products and create a hair routine for low porosity hair. If you do determine you have this type of hair, one of the best ways to guarantee low porosity hair growth, is by applying the loc method for low porosity hair and therefore, loc method products for low porosity hair.
With low porosity hair, you don’t want to risk using the wrong products, these will stay on the surface of your hair rather than being absorbed. This is why loc method products for low porosity hair make all the difference and will contribute to fixing your hair so you can finally see and feel the normal growth of a healthy mane.
As you can tell, the correct products and hair routine for low porosity hair will penetrate into the hair shaft and keep the hair moisturized and feeling fresh. This will enable hair to be strong and healthy at both the ends and roots, the perfect recipe to grow low porosity hair. Keep reading and learn how to grow low porosity hair.
Products Reviewed In This Article
Best Shampoo & Conditioner Set: Hair Food Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner
⇣ Jump to ReviewBest Leave-In Conditioner: Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
⇣ Jump to ReviewBest Hair Mask: Carol’s Daughter Marguerite’s Magic Restorative Conditioning Cream
⇣ Jump to ReviewBest Hair Oil: L’Oréal Hair Oil, by Elvive Extraordinary Oil
⇣ Jump to ReviewLow Porosity Hair Explained
Let’s start from the beginning, hair porosity it’s your hair’s ability to take in and retain water and other cosmetic products. A human hair shaft is typically made up of three layers; cuticle, cortex, and medulla.
Your hair cuticle, which is the external layer of the hair’s surface, often determines your hair porosity. It’s made of plates that overlap each other in a structure very much like roof shingles.
Hair porosity comes in three categories:
- Low porosity: Very tight cuticles making it difficult for moisture to enter or escape
- Medium porosity: Slightly less tightly bound cuticles
- High porosity: Raised cuticles that look like scales on a rooftop; these cuticles easily allow moisture to penetrate through
The cuticles of low porosity hair are tightly packed together and lie flat, leaving no gaps for moisture to enter. This means that moisture and treatments cannot penetrate the hair.
Hair porosity is often due to genetics or specific hair grooming procedures. Low porosity hair is more common in people that have straight hair as compared with those with naturally coiled or curly hair.
Advantages
- People with this hair generally have thicker strands. Compared to those with thinner hair, thicker strands make it harder for hair to get damaged.
- Low porosity hair is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. This attribute makes it harder for hair to suffer from hygral fatigue (over-moisture).
- It may take forever to get that moisture into your hair. But, once it’s in there, it retains moisture longer.
Disadvantages
- Hair has a slower growth rate or your shafts break before growing long.
- Low porosity takes forever to absorb moisture. More often than not, products sit on top of our hair. So we have to do more for our hair to absorb those products.
- This hair doesn’t always have a defined curl pattern and doesn’t clump that easily. Notice how the roots are poofier yet, the ends have a defined curl to them.
- Low porosity hair makes product buildup occur easily. That’s because our hair doesn’t absorb the product so, it sits on our hair. So you want to avoid using raw oils, kinds of butter, and waxes.
- Low porosity takes longer to dry.
Hair Routine For Low Porosity Hair
- Clarify. Clarifying hair involves using a deep cleaning shampoo to remove the build-up of old products on your hair and scalp. Treatments and oils barely penetrate low porosity hair, so they are more likely to remain on the hair and the scalp. These build-ups block hair follicles and adversely affect the health of your hair.
- Moisturize. Your hair needs moisture to make it soft, supple, and resilient. The moisture that is naturally stored within your hair strand may not be enough to keep it flexible. That is why you need to regularly moisturize your hair with a leave-in conditioner and other moisturizing products. ‌
- Lightweight oils. Light oils are more absorbent and thus better suited for low porosity hair. They don’t burden your hair and can penetrate deep into the hair shaft.
- Deep condition with heat. Apply a conditioning product and use a steamer, thermal cap, or hooded dryer for locs to heat up your hair. Heat opens up the tightly woven cuticle and allows the conditioner to push moisture into your hair shaft. Trap the moisture by rinsing it off with cold water, which closes the cuticle.‌
- Humectants are key. Humectants are formulas that love water and are great for low porosity hair. These include pectin, honey, glycerin, and aloe vera.
How to Grow Low Porosity Hair Tips
- Make sure you keep strands hydrated, by conditioning regularly; in addition to a regular conditioner, use a deep conditioning treatment in the shower when the hair cuticle is open weekly, and a leave-in conditioner too.
- Use the LOC method for low porosity hair, which is a great way to hydrate low porosity hair and lock in moisture. Using this method will help boost elasticity and moisture, which will help your hair retain length. If you integrate L.O.C. into your regular low porosity hair care regimen, you’ll be well on your way to healthier, longer hair.
- It’s essential to clarify low porosity hair from time to time in order to see hair growth. Hair products tend to sit on top of rather than absorb into low porosity hair and build up over time.
- A pre-poo will moisturize your hair and prevent it from snapping when you jump into a hot shower, thus protecting the strands and enabling them to grow long and strong.
- While there are many techniques and products you can use to nourish your hair from the outside, nourishment from the inside is important. Build stronger strands that grow more efficiently by taking a supplement.
- Tossing and turning during sleep could also be affecting your hair’s potential. Consider a silk or satin pillowcase that will be gentle on your strands, protecting them from damage and moisture loss.
- Only treat your hair with protein-rich products every so often, and consider diluting the mixture when you do.
Loc Method For Low Porosity Hair
Step 1 Wash your hair: Hair Food Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner
In order to get the most out of the LCO method, follow your normal cleansing routine to kick things off. Go for a sulfate-free formula to gently cleanse your strands. We recommend Hair Food Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner.
Infused with the gentle essences of moisturizing avocado and smoothing argan, our sulfate-free argan oil recipe works to soften and smooth hair that might feel a little thirsty, and leave your hair looking, feeling, and smelling totally pampered.
Hair should be nourished, the same way we nourish our bodies. The best shampoo for split ends is inspired by clean, simple ingredients like the ones you’d find in your own kitchen.
Feed your hair with Hair Food Avocado & Argan Oil Sulfate Free Smoothing and Color Safe Shampoo. This formula is sulfate-free, silicone-free, paraben-free, and mineral oil-free.
How to use Hair Food Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner:
- Apply and massage the product throughout the hair
- Rinse product from hair.
- Follow up with conditioner, rinse thoroughly
Step 2 Apply leave-in conditioner: Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
Starting on freshly washed and conditioned hair, apply a liquid formula to your mane. Using a rat tail comb, part your hair in sections and apply a generous amount to each section from root to tip.
Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner is fantastic. This lightweight leave-in conditioner allows you to show off your beautiful coils and curls with added shine, extra moisture, and a formula that prevents frizz.
Specifically formulated for Type 4 hair, our Pomegranate and Honey collection provides moisture and strength with natural ingredients like pomegranate extract, honey, and babassu oil to give hair the extra love it needs.
It promotes the health and maintenance of natural hair from Types 3A to 4C natural hair, however, our products are suitable for all hair types and we feature products for both low and high porosity levels.
How to use Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner:
- Apply to wet or damp hair and work in evenly from roots to tips
- Apply more as needed and style as desired. Do not rinse out.
Step 3 Use a hair mask: Carol’s Daughter Marguerite’s Magic Restorative Conditioning Cream
Now that your hair is fully hydrated with a leave-in conditioner, you can take things up a notch and apply your hair cream. While there are plenty of hair creams to try, it’s essential to use a product formulated with nourishing and moisturizing ingredients.
Re-wet your strands a bit and distribute a dime-sized amount of hair cream evenly through your hair.
You’ll love Carol’s Daughter Marguerite’s Magic Restorative Conditioning Cream. This blend of Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter deeply nourishes curly textured hair to help restore strength and improve manageability.
Carol’s Daughter Marguerite’s Magic Restorative Cream brings life back to natural hair that is dry over or processed; This cream features beeswax to protect hair from damage caused by styling or chemical processes.
It’s sure to become a part of your daily maintenance for beautiful, healthy hair. No Parabens, No Mineral Oil, No Artificial Colors, No Petroleum.
How to use Carol’s Daughter Marguerite’s Magic Restorative Conditioning Cream:
- Place a small amount into the palm of your hands and then rub your hands together
- Apply to damp or dry hair
- Gently work into hair and scalp, with extra focus on ends where they may be more damage
- Do not rinse
- Style hair as usual
Step 4 Finish with hair oil: L’Oréal Hair Oil, by Elvive Extraordinary Oil
Seal in your moisture with the help of a lightweight oil which adds shine with a smooth finish to keep your hair hydrated for longer. Apply four to five drops of hair oil to each section and style as desired.
Now, you’ve provided your mane with plenty of hydration so that you can get away with moisturizing every other day without it feeling dry in between.
You can try L’Oréal Hair Oil, by Elvive Extraordinary Oil. The non-greasy formula can be applied before shampooing for luxurious nourishment, before styling to protect and transform your hair, or as a finishing touch for sumptuous softness.
Elvive Extraordinary Oil for dry hair that lacks nourishment making hair feel rough, dull, and lifeless, The luxurious, oil-rich formula nourishes from root to tip, try the hair oil with complimenting shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask.
Leaves your hair feeling beautifully nourished, soft, and supple, Weightless finishing touch is designed for use by all hair types.
How to use L’Oréal Hair Oil, by Elvive Extraordinary Oil:
- Rub 3 or 4 drops on the hair
- Apply evenly through the lengths and ends of wet or dry hair
Common Question About How To Grow Low Porosity Hair
Is it important to learn how to grow low porosity hair?
Every hair is different but low porosity hair needs special care, therefore you should learn how to grow low porosity hair to ensure healthy-looking hair.
It’s even more difficult with low porosity hair because the hair’s cuticle isn’t open to allow moisture in. The cuticle is the outer layer of the hair strand that protects the core. The core of your hair needs moisture to retain strength. Dry hair strands are more prone to damage and breakage.
What is good for low porosity hair?
Since low porosity hair is prone to build-up, it’s important to avoid heavy products that can sit on the hair shaft.
What is the LOC method for low porosity hair?
The LOC method stands for liquid, oil, then cream. Changing the sequence will work to trap more moisture in your hair and keep it hydrated for longer. With this method, you will rehydrate with your liquid, then add your cream, and seal in the cream with your oil.
If you want to know how to grow low porosity hair, the LOC method is a proven way to ensure the growth of healthy strands.
What hair type is the LOC method for?
The LOC method is great for low porosity hair styles, coily hair, tight-textured hair, high porosity hair, and damaged hair, and those who are interested in guarding against moisture loss are the most likely to benefit from the LOC method.
What oils are good for low porosity hair?
If you have low porosity hair, you will notice that most hair products will rest on your hair but do not get absorbed. Certain oils like jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, argan oil, sweet almond oil, sesame oil, and baobab oil are the best oils for low porosity hair.
Lighter-weight oils such as almond oil and argan oil are great to use on low porosity hair because they can penetrate past the tight cuticles and get deeper into the hair core.
How can you tell if you have low porosity hair?
- You can test your porosity level by running a finger down a strand of your hair. Low porosity hair will feel smooth, whereas high-porosity hair will feel rough and bumpy because the cuticles are open.
- Spray some water on your hair and observe it. Low porosity hair won’t easily absorb the water and will still have visible beads of water on the strand. ‌
What are the signs of low porosity hair?
- Your hair struggles to keep moisture.
- Your hair doesn’t work with conditioners.
- You need heat to activate conditioners.
- There’s always buildup and dirt in your hair.
- You get more dandruff (clarifying dandruff shampoos for Afro hair)
- Your hair is too oily or too dry.
- You spend ages drying your hair.
How To Grow Low Porosity Hair Video Tutorial
Products Mentioned In This Article
- Hair Food Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner
- Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
- Carol’s Daughter Marguerite’s Magic Restorative Conditioning Cream
- L’Oréal Hair Oil, by Elvive Extraordinary Oil
Disclosure: The Hair Products recommended in this article are our top favorites because they have a great combination of quality, features, and affordability. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through the links as a way to support this site. If you buy a qualifying product, you’re not charged anything extra, but I’ll get a small commission to help pay for my expenses. I hope you find our advice helpful and discover the Best Hair Products for your needs on this list.
