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Sep 20

Understanding Black Women’s Hair: Navigating Low Porosity and Low Elasticity for Healthy Hair

Black women’s hair is beautifully diverse, but it often comes with unique challenges. Two common issues many Black women face are low porosity and low elasticity. These hair characteristics can make maintaining moisture, styling, and overall hair health more difficult if not properly understood. In this article, we’ll break down what low porosity and low elasticity mean, how they affect your hair, and how you can tailor your hair care routine to nurture and maintain healthy, vibrant hair.


Low Porosity and Low Elasticity for Healthy Hair


What is Low Porosity Hair?

Hair porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. Low porosity hair has tightly bound cuticles, making it difficult for water and moisturizing products to penetrate the hair shaft. This can lead to product buildup, dry hair, and difficulty in keeping your hair moisturized.


How to Identify Low Porosity Hair

  • Water Test: Take a strand of clean hair and place it in a glass of water. If it floats, your hair likely has low porosity. High porosity hair will sink because it quickly absorbs moisture.

  • Resistance to Moisture: If you find that products sit on top of your hair rather than being absorbed, you likely have low porosity hair.

  • Product Buildup: Since moisture struggles to penetrate low porosity hair, products often build up on the scalp and hair shaft.


How to Care for Low Porosity Hair

Maintaining low porosity hair requires focusing on hydration and gentle product usage to prevent buildup. Here are some tips to keep in mind:


1. Use Lightweight, Water-Based Products

Because low porosity hair resists moisture, heavy creams and oils will often sit on top of the hair, making it greasy without actually nourishing the strands. Opt for lightweight, water-based moisturizers that can be absorbed into the hair shaft.

  • Recommended Products:

    • Aloe vera-based leave-in conditioners

    • Light oils like grapeseed oil or argan oil

    • Misting sprays with a water base


2. Incorporate Heat for Better Absorption

Heat opens the hair’s cuticles, allowing moisture to penetrate. Incorporating heat into your regimen, especially during conditioning treatments, can significantly improve moisture retention.

  • Recommended Techniques:

    • Use a hooded dryer or steamer during deep conditioning

    • Apply heat caps or warm towels over plastic caps to intensify the conditioning process


3. Clarify Regularly

Since low porosity hair is prone to product buildup, clarifying your scalp and hair is essential. Use clarifying shampoos or apple cider vinegar rinses to gently remove any excess product.

  • Recommended Products:

    • Sulfate-free clarifying shampoos

    • Apple cider vinegar mixed with water as a rinse


4. Layer Products Wisely

When applying products to low porosity hair, follow the LOC (Liquid, Oil, Cream) method, but with lightweight variations. This ensures the hair gets the necessary moisture without weighing it down.

  • Example Routine:

    • Liquid: Water or a water-based leave-in conditioner

    • Oil: Light oil like jojoba or grapeseed

    • Cream: Lightweight, non-heavy curl cream


What is Low Elasticity Hair?

Hair elasticity refers to how well your hair can stretch and return to its original form without breaking. Low elasticity hair is brittle, prone to breakage, and lacks the bounce and flexibility of healthy hair. This can result from heat damage, chemical treatments, or lack of moisture.


How to Identify Low Elasticity Hair

  • Stretch Test: Take a wet strand of hair and gently stretch it. If it snaps immediately with little to no stretch, you have low elasticity hair. Healthy hair should stretch and bounce back without breaking.

  • Lack of Curl Definition: If your curls don’t hold their shape or if your hair feels limp and weak, low elasticity may be the culprit.


How to Care for Low Elasticity Hair

Restoring elasticity requires treating your hair with care and focusing on strengthening and moisture balance. Below are steps to help revive and maintain healthy elasticity in your hair.

1. Protein Treatments

Protein treatments help to rebuild and strengthen the hair structure, which is essential for improving elasticity. However, balance is key; too much protein can make the hair brittle. Aim for a monthly protein treatment unless your hair feels particularly weak, in which case you can increase frequency.

  • Recommended Products:

    • Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment

    • Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Protein Treatment


2. Moisture-Protein Balance

For elasticity, maintaining a balance between moisture and protein is crucial. While protein strengthens the hair, moisture gives it flexibility. Follow protein treatments with a deep moisturizing conditioner to prevent your hair from becoming too brittle.

  • Recommended Products:

    • Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner

    • Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioner


3. Avoid Heat and Chemicals

Excessive heat styling and chemical treatments, such as relaxers or bleach, can severely compromise hair elasticity. Reducing or eliminating the use of flat irons, curling wands, and harsh chemicals can help restore your hair’s natural bounce.

  • Tips:

    • Opt for protective hairstyles like braids, twists, or buns

    • Air-dry your hair or use low-heat settings when necessary


4. Gentle Detangling and Styling

Low elasticity hair is more prone to breakage, so it’s important to handle your hair with care. Use wide-tooth combs, finger detangle, and avoid styles that put too much tension on your strands.

  • Recommended Detanglers:

    • Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Detangler

    • TGIN Green Tea Super Moist Leave-In Conditioner


Building the Perfect Routine for Low Porosity and Low Elasticity Hair

Combining care for low porosity and low elasticity hair can seem overwhelming, but with a tailored routine, you can tackle both effectively.


Example Routine

  1. Pre-Poo: Use a lightweight oil (e.g., grapeseed oil) or aloe vera gel to coat your hair before shampooing.

  2. Shampoo: Use a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo once a month to remove product buildup.

  3. Condition: Deep condition with a hydrating, heat-activated treatment. Use a hooded dryer or warm towel for best results.

  4. Protein Treatment: Once a month, apply a protein treatment to strengthen the hair.

  5. Moisturize: Use a water-based leave-in conditioner followed by a lightweight oil to seal in moisture.

  6. Style: Opt for low-manipulation styles, and use a silk or satin scarf at night to protect your hair.



Low porosity and low elasticity hair require special care, but with the right routine and products, you can manage and maintain healthy, thriving hair. Understanding your hair's needs allows you to embrace your natural beauty and keep your strands strong, moisturized, and resilient. By incorporating regular hydration, gentle handling, and balancing protein and moisture, you’ll give your hair the best chance to shine.


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