Low Porosity Hair: Why Your Products Aren't Working (And What Actually Will)

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by Zoe Doyle
December 23, 2024
5 min read

This article offers recommendations for caring for low porosity hair and explains how sleeping on a silk pillowcase can keep essential conditioning products hard at work while you sleep.

Inside this Article:

Suspect You've Got Low Porosity Hair? Here's How to Tell
Common Challenges with Low Porosity Hair
Effective Care and Treatment for Low Porosity Hair
Mulberry Silk Pillowcases: Supporting Care of Low Porosity Hair
The Finest Silk Pillowcases on the Market
Our Clients Also Ask These Questions:

If we're being brutally honest, most of us don't give much thought to how porous our hair is. But we really should. Identifying hair porosity-and managing hair care accordingly-is crucial for maintaining healthy, hydrated, beautiful hair.

Low porosity hair can be tricky because it is characterized by a tightly bound cuticle. Think of the hair cuticle like shingles on a roof; it is the outermost layer of your hair shaft, made up of overlapping scales that protect the inner structure of your hair. With low porosity hair, the cuticle layers are packed so tightly that moisture and hair care products can't penetrate the shaft. (At the other end of the spectrum is hair that is curly or damaged, where the cuticle is lifted too much and allows in excess moisture, leading to frizz and breakage).

Just like the raised cuticles of frizzy hair require special care, low porosity hair delivers its own set of challenges. While this type of hair can maintain moisture well once hydrated, getting proper product absorption can be a daily struggle. Styling products and deep conditioners often sit on top of the strands and cause build-up instead of being absorbed.

Suspect You've Got Low Porosity Hair? Here's How to Tell

If the above sounds like you, your first order of business is figuring out whether you do indeed have low porosity hair. Of course, you can consult with your stylist of hair care professional. But there is an easy hair porosity test you can do at home: the float test. Take a clean hair strand and place it in a glass of room temperature water. If it floats for several minutes before sinking, you likely have low porosity hair. Another telling sign is how your hair reacts to water and products - if water beads up on your hair instead of being quickly absorbed, or if hair products tend to sit on top of your strands creating visible residue, these are strong indicators of low porosity hair.

Common Challenges with Low Porosity Hair

Managing low porosity hair comes with several distinct challenges. The tightly sealed hair cuticle makes moisture absorption particularly difficult, leading to potential dryness and product buildup. Whether you have straight hair, curly hair, or anything in between, the resistance to moisture makes traditional conditioning methods less effective. This hair type often takes unusually long to get fully wet in the shower and may require extended drying time. Additionally, the closed cuticle layer can make it resistant to chemical treatments and color processing.

Effective Care and Treatment for Low Porosity Hair

Successful management of low porosity hair requires specific techniques and products.

Start with a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup, which is especially common with this hair type.
Deep condition your hair with an assist from heat. Using a hooded dryer or warm towel can help open the hair cuticle and allow better product penetration.
For daily care, focus on moisture retention by using light oils like argan or jojoba rather than heavy oils that might weigh down your strands. Products containing glycerin can be particularly effective for maintaining moisture balance.
Apply products to very wet hair to improve absorption, and consider using the "LO" method (Liquid, then Oil) for optimal results.
Be mindful of product application techniques - sectioning your hair and applying products with attention to even distribution can make a significant difference in effectiveness.

We say this all the time but, the surface you lay your head on nightly makes a big difference to your hair (and skin!).

A traditional cotton pillowcase is naturally absorbent, which means it pulls moisture away from your hair and skin. This includes the expensive conditioning products you've worked so hard to get absorbed into your hair. Silk is a game changer in this regard; the smooth surface helps maintain your hair's moisture balance throughout the night, preventing the absorption that commonly occurs with cotton fabrics. Even if your hair tends to run oily, silk is a smart idea; it won't strip out natural oil like cotton, which can lead to overproduction of sebum.

Mulberry Silk Pillowcases: Supporting Care of Low Porosity Hair

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The smooth, gentle texture of a silk pillowcase also pampers your hair to maintain the integrity of hair fiber while preventing damage and breakage. Pure mulberry silk is also naturally hypoallergenic; resistant to mold, dust mites and bacteria; and temperature regulating for maximum comfort. Last but not least, genuine silk is the pinnacle of luxury and beauty

The Finest Silk Pillowcases on the Market

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Quality matters when it comes to anything you put next to your hair and skin. Our pure silk pillowcases are crafted from the finest Grade 6A silk and are OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified safe from harmful chemicals. We offer a range of momme weights and colors to suit your needs, allowing you to protect and nourish your hair while enjoying the ultimate in luxury.

Our silk pillowcases are also easy to care for; they can be washed by hand or machine following these simple directions. As always, the Mulberry Park Silks design team is here to answer questions you have about our products and offer personalized recommendations to suit your budget and style.

While managing low porosity hair can be challenging, understanding your hair type and implementing the right care strategies can make a significant difference. From proper washing and conditioning techniques to choosing the right products and using a silk pillowcase, each element of your hair care routine plays a crucial role in maintaining beautiful, healthy hair.

Our Clients Also Ask These Questions:

What are the symptoms of low porosity hair?

Low porosity hair takes a long time to get wet and to dry, and does not have much body or volume. Styling products and conditioners also build up on low porosity hair. It is also resistant to color and chemical treatment.

How to know if you have low porosity hair?

If you put a clean strand of hair in water and it takes several minutes to sink, it is likely that you have low porosity hair.

How do you treat low porosity hair?

Low porosity hair should be treated with clarifying shampoo to remove built-up residue; heat conditioning treatments to allow the cuticle to open; and lightweight styling products.

What type of hair is usually low porosity?

All "types" of hair can be low porosity.

Is low porosity hair good or bad?

Low porosity hair is neither good nor bad, but it does require specialized care.

How often should I wash low porosity hair?

This will depend on your personal situation but in general low porosity hair can go a bit longer between washes.

What oil is best for low porosity hair?

Use a lightweight oil like jojoba or argan oil on low porosity hair.

Mulberry Park: Accessible and Affordable Luxury Silk

We founded Mulberry Park with one simple mission: to design the highest quality silk items in the market and offer them at an affordable price. And we've done just that, with a full range of silk products made from 100% pure mulberry long strand silk fabric. The silk fabric used for our silk sheets and silk pillowcases has also been OEKO-TEX® Certified (Standard 100) to be free of chemicals.

Visit us online or call us at (800) 860-1924 to learn more about our silk sheets, silk pillowcases, duvet covers and shams, and real silk accessories including sleep masks, travel pillows, and silk hair scrunchies.