There is really nothing like a home “Spa Evening” with face masks and hair treatments! If you are planning one, you may want to find out which hair mask is best for low porosity hair…
And this is where we come in! We are going to have a look at the different hair masks you can use, and why they are good for your low porosity hair.
Which Hair Mask Is Best For Low Porosity Hair?
Low porosity hair can be a bit of a nightmare for some people, especially if you are one of those who loves products.
This type of hair does not absorb hair care products as well as other types of hair, and you may notice product still sitting in the ends after you have used it.
There are three layers to our hair:
- The cuticle; the outermost layer of the hair, consisting of lots of cuticles overlapping each other like roof tiles.
- The cortex, which is the thickest layer, contains the pigments that give your hair its colour, along with fibrous proteins.
- The medulla, the innermost layer of the hair shaft.
In low porosity hair, the cuticles are packed very tightly together, meaning that it is harder for the various hair products to penetrate into the hair shaft.
Finding the right mask for low porosity hair can be tricky, as this type is pretty resistant to absorbing products!
There are a great deal of hair masks out there that are suitable for this type of hair; pop into a drugstore or chat to your stylist to find the best one for you.
A great tip when using a hair mask on low porosity hair is to use the product, then pop a shower cap on your head and warm it up with a hairdryer. This will encourage the cuticles to open up and absorb more moisture.
This is a great video, showing you best ways to moisturise your hair depending on your porosity type:
What Is Low Porosity Hair?
We are all different, in our minds as well as our bodies. There are a lot of different types of hair out there too!
Low porosity hair is the type that struggles to absorb water and nutrients, and as such can look a little lack-lustre.
You can easily find out if you have this particular type of hair – take a glass of water and place a strand of hair into it. If the hair floats it is low porosity, while if it sinks then it is high porosity.
If you have low porosity hair, you may have noticed that your hair takes a long time to wet and to dry.
Less porous hair also doesn’t absorb water and hair treatments as well, which may explain why your friend swears by a product but you don’t notice it making any difference!
Low porosity hair can also be a bit of a pain to style; you may have struggled over the years with getting your hair to stay put.
This article explains a little more about low porosity hair.
Is Protein Mask Good For Low Porosity Hair?
Protein masks are generally considered to be very good for the hair, but there is some conflicting advice on whether they are good for low porosity hair.
The general consensus is that no, protein masks are not very good for this type of hair, even though most other types love them!
Protein masks can actually pull moisture out of the hair, leaving it at higher risk of breakage, especially if it is already weak and damaged.
However, there is other information that suggests protein masks ARE good for low porosity hair, as it can help strengthen the hair.
As always, the best thing you can do is to try it for yourself – you may find that your hair loves it!
If it does then great, keep using the protein mask you have chosen, but if you notice extra damage and breaking then you should stop using it.
What Is Not Good For Low Porosity Hair?
All our hair has different demands, and things that it likes and doesn’t like. You will be forgiven for thinking low porosity hair is more demanding than some other types!
If you have low porosity hair, there are a few things that you should definitely take steps to avoid:
- Products with silicone. These create a barrier in the hair and can prevent moisture from penetrating.
- Hydrolyzed proteins. This product is often too heavy for low porosity hair, and can cause a build-up on the hair shafts.
- Over washing. Too much washing will strip away the hairs’ natural oils, and can make it even harder for moisture to get in.
- Heat styling tools. Low porosity hair can get damaged more easily, so always make sure you use a heat protecting spray before you get the straighteners out.
Is Coconut Oil Good For Low Porosity Hair
Coconut oil is everywhere these days, isn’t it? It is definitely a superfood and good for the body – but is it good for hair too?
Turns out that the answer is Yes. You can happily use coconut oil as part of your low porosity haircare regime, and it should help to improve its condition.
Coconut oil has quite large molecules, meaning that is a little tricky for it to penetrate the tightly packed cuticles, but applying some heat will make it easier for the oil to get in.
The one problem with coconut oil and low porosity hair is that it can make it harder for moisture to reach the shaft, which can leave your hair dry and brittle.
Just use it sensibly, and you too can share the benefits of this superfood!
- Apply it in small amounts to the hair shaft.
- Shampoo after letting it sit on the hair a while, to remove the molecules that prevent moisture getting in.
- Go for a weekly treatment rather than daily, to avoid the dreaded “product build-up.”
Final Words
If you have been wondering what low porosity hair is, if you have it, and what to do for it if you do, then hopefully you now have some good ideas!
Caring for low porosity hair is not much harder than dealing with other types of hair – as long as you know what you are doing. Go and try out some hair masks that are suitable for your type; you won’t regret it!
