Coarse & Low-Porosity Hair!

lochkane · 12-27-2011, 09:34 PM

I have coarse, low-porosity 2c/3a hair and I do not know what to do with it!

My hair gets frizzy very easily (even when it is wet) and is very dry (especially the ends). Some people have even compared my hair to straw

When I straighten my hair, my hair just looks fried. What are some products that you would recommend?

kathymack · 12-28-2011, 05:48 AM

While it's possible that your hair is truly coarse, some people with curly hair think it's coarse when it's really just dry. Here's a link from CJ Marsha's blog Curl Junkie - Natural Hair Care for all types of Curly Hair!: My 2 cents on Protein/Texture/Porosity/Moisture Balance! :-) that has visuals. This will also give you some ideas of where to start.

My hair isn't coarse, it's low porosity. It prefers the more natural products from the online, boutique type companies. Curl Junkie conditioners are really moisturizing, as are the deep treatments (Curl Rehab and H & B Deep Fix.) The Marie Dean products are all richer and she has a lot of conditioners, DTs. Kozama is has a lot of moisturizing products.

multicultcurly · 12-29-2011, 12:29 AM

If your hair is truly coarse, then stay away from products that have protein near the top of the ingredients list. Instead, look for products that are moisturizing and use humectants, such as shea butter and aloe vera. Products that work for me are Jessicurl Too Shea conditioner (both as a rinse-out and a leave-in), Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose (only as a rinse out). The Curl Junkie Smoothing Conditioner is okay and may work well for you if you live in a climate that isn't excessively dry.

I have success with the Kinky Curly Curling Custard as a gel and then I seal with Pura Body Naturals Cupuacu Hair Butter as a sealer. I usually use a nonsulfate shampoo, such as Jessicurl Herbal Cleanser, two to three times a week because I have an oily scalp.

Robin-in-FL · 12-29-2011, 06:55 PM

If by coarse you mean big strong individual hairs, and you are low-porosity, rejoice, you have the most damage-resistant sort of hair on the planet. And if you are coarse, low-po, and loosely curly, we are hair twins!

I agree wholeheartedly with multi, if your hair is actually coarse, you may be using products with too much protein if you are getting frizz all the time.

If your hair is damaged from flat ironing, it is not low porosity (or not anymore!) so you may want to be aware of that.

Mine is over on the coarse side and very low-porosity, never gets split ends or damage but yes is prone to dryness and frizz if not well maintained, and will always frizz without gel for styling and enough moisture in the hair. (without gel it may act like it's going to dry without frizz, look good wet and half-dry and almost dry, but as soon as it's dry it will be a mess. without enough moisture it will not look good even with gel.)

For day-to-day use I do DevaCare low poo and knockoff fake Biolage Conditioning Balm from walgreens or sally's. Style with Re:Coil and ArcAngel, or sometimes leave-in conditioner instead of Re:Coil. For deep conditioning (weekly in winter, less often in summer) CJ Curl Rehab, Ion from sally's for protein tx (every 2-3 months or so when/if hair gets droopy)

Short version:
It is good to have coarse low-porosity hair.
If your hair is really coarse, it will likely improve if you increase moisture and decrease protein, and you may always need gel for styling.
If you have harmed it by too hot/too much flat ironing it may not be low-porosity, and may actually be damaged, not coarse.