nibrahim

what are the best ways to get your hair to absorb moisture? what are the best cleansers, treatments and conditioners for low porosity? is it possible for hair to change porosity, it never did this before so maybe my hair was normal before. i have samples of everything for SS, CJ and Jessicurl. Im seeing that Devacurl builds up and dries my hair if used daily. Did DT with SS and i saw the conditioner beading up on hair shaft..grrr. i have 3 c hair, fine and low porosity...thick dry prone hair.

juanab

I have low porosity as well. A little heat seems to work for me. Also aloe vera juice, honey and glycerin work great for me too. I also find running my fingers down the length of my hair strands works well. I live in Central FL so I need all the moisture I can get.

__________________
BC'ed: 03-29-11
Last Relaxer: July 2010

Mod CG
texture - medium/fine, porosity - low/normal, elasticity - normal, co-wash - tresemme naturals moisture, jessicurls cleansing cream, leave-in - tresemme naturals moisture, gel - SM souffle, mop top anti- frizz light hold gel, vatika oil, QB BRBC, shealoe butter, mango butter

artemis513

Here's two ways I make sure my hair gets the moisture it needs:

1) On a daily basis when I am just rinsing with water and conditioning, I take the first few minutes of my shower to saturate my hair with warm water (to help open the cuticles). Then I go off to wash my face and when I'm done I rinse hair again then add conditioner, to let it sit for the rest of my shower. The steam lets everything soak in.

2) For weekly deep treatments I put on my treatment, then a plastic cap and sit under a hooded dryer for 10-15 min, then let it cool for 5 min before rinsing. (IME doing this weekly or bi-weekly is what makes the biggest difference)

IMO having low porosity is a good thing because it means that the hair absorbs what it needs, then locks down so it keeps the nutrients in--to me that is very healthy hair, and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

As far as products, go with product that suit your hair's texture (fine/medium/coarse). Porosity is only really an issue when you are dealing with chemical treatments, so there aren't any "low porosity specific" products you need, just use what you hair likes and needs (based on texture). So since you have fine hair, you should look into products with some protein in them. Keeping an eye out for other posters who have fine but thick hair like yours should elicit helpful results.

HTH

__________________
4a/3c, fine strands, low porosity, medium density
Last relaxer: Jan 2010 - BC'd: 2/27/11
My Fotki
My Blog

EllyEllyOxenFree

Baking soda (as an alkaline), steaming, bentonite clay (also alkaline), and using products with humectants (agave nectar, honey, glycerin, aloe vera, etc) will help open the hair shaft. Cones, oils (natural or synthetic), protein, and henna all coat the hair shaft, which low porosity hair does not need. Although my hair is coarse, it usually likes products that don't have as many oils or butters, and when I use cones I am sure to clarify a few days later. I have been able to incorporate more protein into my routine since I have started steaming.

Devacurl used daily probably dried your hair out because their products contain hops, which has protein. I love Devacurl products but I do not use them everyday.

__________________
BC'ed: 26 Dec 09
YouTube

nibrahim

very helpful everyone, thanks. its good to know what was the problem is with devacurl. thanks!

__________________
Thick 3C, some 4a, normal porosity, medium-fine texture and medium elasticity.

cleansers- CJ Daily Fix, Deva No Poo
conditioners-Curl Rehab, Natures Gate Asian Pear and Red Currant.
stylers-Bioterra gel
leave-ins-Natures Gate Lavender and Aloe condish

Goin'Grey

A) That is so good to know about oils! I always wanted my hair to like them...I thought it was so exotic to use them....but it never worked.

B) What is steaming? And how does one do it?

__________________
3A, Protein Senitive, Low Porosity,
Med-Course
Wash: Suave Naturals Conds (excluding Coconut), CVSB
Rinse out/Leave In: GVP Cond. Balm, KCKT,
Style: Naturelle Gel(winter HG), KCCC (summer HG), Flaxseed gel
SOTC: JCNS
Love your hair: Love yourself!

mamashair

artemis513, I think you are my hair twin. I came to this forum looking for "solutions" for my low porosity hair, and I love how positive you are about it and how you refuse to see it as a problem. So, I'm about to jump on your bandwagon with a quickness.

Your shower tips/techniques sound very helpful. I'm going to check that out.

It sounds like most LP gals are washing/co-washing/thoroughly wetting hair daily?

I don't like protective styling, but I wanted to do a braid out just for a different look, and I cannot make a twistout or braidout work for me lately to save my life. I wake up in the morning, and often my hair is not 100% dry, and when it IS dry, it's dry as hell - hard as a rock, dry, straw like, awful.

Anybody have tips or techniques for braidouts? Maybe I should start a new thread on that, actually....

adthomas

I'm LP but I don't cowash daily. I do it about 3 times a week.

You don't mention what products you're using in your braidouts. That can affect your drying time. I know for me it's conditioner, oil, and maybe activator gel on the ends. I have to be careful not put too much product or my hair will take forever to dry. Also if my hair is freshly cowashed, I can't sleep with a scarf or my hair will still be wet in the morning. I use pillow case. If it's right after cowash, I twist instead of braid and make them small. Helps air drying go faster for me because more of the surface of my hair is hitting air. Then for second day after my hair is dry, I lightly spritz then braid to get more elongation. And you can also try a hooded dryer.

__________________
Transition your mind before you transition your hair.