Low Porosity Support Thread

[Incognitus]

Ladies, I need a little help. I have thin strands and I'm trying to figure out if I have LP. Years ago, when I did the water test, some of my hairs would sink and some would float. This past year, I've completed the water test 3-4 times and all of my hairs floated forever.

I thought I might have LP because products seem to stay on top of my hair and, when I get out of the shower, you can see the beads of water all over my hair. However, in my relaxer days, my hair straightened quite easily (only used mild). As a matter of fact, I could only keep the relaxer on for about 5 min! Additionally, my hair seems to dry fast. When roller setting, I have to re-wet constantly.

Olive oil seems to be too heavy for my hair, but my hair loves jojoba and grape seed oil. I'm not sure if this is relevant, but my ends never look good (when straightened), and are plagued with SSKs/DSKs.

So....what am I?

 

[uofmpanther]

Ladies, I need a little help. I have thin strands and I'm trying to figure out if I have LP. Years ago, when I did the water test, some of my hairs would sink and some would float. This past year, I've completed the water test 3-4 times and all of my hairs floated forever.

I thought I might have LP because products seem to stay on top of my hair and, when I get out of the shower, you can see the beads of water all over my hair. However, in my relaxer days, my hair straightened quite easily (only used mild). As a matter of fact, I could only keep the relaxer on for about 5 min! Additionally, my hair seems to dry fast. When roller setting, I have to re-wet constantly.

Olive oil seems to be too heavy for my hair, but my hair loves jojoba and grape seed oil. I'm not sure if this is relevant, but my ends never look good (when straightened), and are plagued with SSKs/DSKs.

So....what am I?

I may be wrong, but it sounds like you were high porosity when relaxed, then you lowered a little to normal, and now you are low porosity.

My hair dries fast sometimes too, but it is usually because the water never really got in there to begin with.

Have you tried avocado oil. My hair likes grapeseed and avocado.

As to your ends, do you trim?

 

[FelaShrine]

How did you figure out you were low porosity? What happened a few days ago that made you realize it?

I did the strand test. I had looked up threads on relaxers not taking and some people mentioned that was the case for them cos of low porosity..so i looked up the "symptoms' of that and I swear they all fit me to a T. Even steaming my hair get some dampness but let me take it out for 10 mins and starts getting that lackin g hydration look and feel again..that's with steaming with oils though (pre-poo)..havent steamed with DC yet.

 

[FelaShrine]

Thanks so much Saludable84

What moisturizer do you like/would suggest then?

Im really considering getting a corrective..nver gotten one done before so i dont know..or i will just get braids/cornrows and shorten the stretch to 10 or 12 weeks

Im also thinking my relaxer isnt helping the LP issues..it's Silk Elements Shea Butter relaxer..and from some comments here some people believe shea butter smothers cuticles..funny thing is I noticed this mess with Lingage relaxer which also has shea butter, never occured to me that might be the one making matters worse..gonna try ORS next time. Perhaps have them blow it out then relax..decisons decisons

I tried the SSI coco cream, leave in and that make my hair a fizzy mess, according to PJaye its because of the protein/protein-ish ingredients. so gonna try the darcy leave-in

what do you girl think of serums..ive started water-based leave in and PM serum..to be honest I dont even know if the serum had an adverse effect..will check for that trhis Sunday wash day..

 

[Saludable84]

FelaShrine

No Problem. I know the struggle. When I found out I had LP hair, I had an aha moment. I thought life would be great and over time I realized LP hair is a gift and a curse.

What moisturizer do you like/would suggest then?
I use DB Daily-In and SD Wheat Germ Butter Conditioner. Anything with low to no protein and water based works really well and buttery stuff is better in the colder months.

Im really considering getting a corrective..nver gotten one done before so i don't know..or i will just get braids/cornrows and shorten the stretch to 10 or 12 weeks
I did one before and it may my hair hard. So I usually do not give much recommendations on them. Im sure there are many ladies on here who can though.

Im also thinking my relaxer isnt helping the LP issues..it's Silk Elements Shea Butter relaxer..and from some comments here some people believe shea butter smothers cuticles..funny thing is I noticed this mess with Lingage relaxer which also has shea butter, never occured to me that might be the one making matters worse..gonna try ORS next time. Perhaps have them blow it out then relax..decisons decisions
Ors is not bad but I didn't care for it. I wouldn't say to not use it, I just didn't prefer it. But if you think the shea gives you an undesirable reaction, try it. I use Mizani Butter Blends, so I wouldn't recommend if you don't like shea. My hair doesn't like shea, but it takes the relaxer really well with smoothing results.

 

[FelaShrine]

^Oh would you suggest only using the wheatgerm conditioner in the winter? I really wanna try that btw..funny how when I finally found out about SD there are no discounts/sales to be found
So you use the Darcy Leave in as both a leave-in and daily moisturizer? when you use a leave-in do you add a serum or perhaps oils (I usually rollerset)

dont think I will do a corrective, since im, gonna shorten the stretch I will just continue the wigs and get cornrows in a couple of weeks, by the time Im taking them out..should be time for a TU

what didnt you like about ORS? Lol I dont know if I dont like shea..Its just weird that the two relaxers ive used for a couple of years nopw..both have lots of shea and never really take..could be something else completely..who knows..

 

[Saludable84]

FelaShrine

^Oh would you suggest only using the wheatgerm conditioner in the winter? I really wanna try that btw..funny how when I finally found out about SD there are no discounts/sales to be found
I liked the SD WGBC for the spring and summer so Im excited to use it for the winter, but Darcys LTC was my go to in the winter.

So you use the Darcy Leave in as both a leave-in and daily moisturizer? when you use a leave-in do you add a serum or perhaps oils (I usually roller set)I use the LTC as a leave-in and the DLI as a moisturizer on straight (roller set) hair. With a leave-in (like LTC or WGBC) I used either dry oils or ceramide oils to seal. The dry oils are good on my straight hair and the ceramide oils are best on heat or no heat styles reducing dryness. I normally just use CHI alone for when I roller set and it doesn't bother with any dryness or anything. I use a moisturizer when needed. My cuticles are so closed after roller setting that nothing coming out those strands!

don't think I will do a corrective, since im, gonna shorten the stretch I will just continue the wigs and get cornrows in a couple of weeks, by the time Im taking them out..should be time for a TU


what didnt you like about ORS? Lol I dont know if I dont like shea..Its just weird that the two relaxers I've used for a couple of years nopw..both have lots of shea and never really take..could be something else completely..who knows..
What I didn't like about ORS was that I just I found it to be too strong, even though I used normal, and I didn't care for the way it made my hair feel, one smooth and I was straighter than I wanted (leaving me no choice but to use a medium mid-protein step) and it left me with no shine. When I used the Mizani BB, it left my hair with moisture, texture, shine and I think it washes out better. I do really care for texture, as Im texlaxed, so it is another reason I preferred Mizani. But it does contains Shea and my hair does not like Shea, but I think its the reason I get increased shine and more texture when using it. ORS was still not that bad, but I was just so spoiled by Mizani I couldn't find a reason to like it. Affirm was good too, but at the time I used it, I was still into bone straight hair, and it left me with a lot of texture. I wish I would have stuck with it, as I think I would have a more defined pattern, but like i said, Mizani left me with the best texlaxed hair.

 

[FelaShrine]

Thanks Saludable84. subscribed to your blog as well. nice to see more blogs with those with LP hair

so I guess for your rollersets it LI then Chi?

 

[Saludable84]

Thanks Saludable84. subscribed to your blog as well. nice to see more blogs with those with LP hair

so I guess for your rollersets it LI then Chi?

I just use CHI as a leave-in. When I use a leave in then chi it's too heavy and leaves too much buildup. LP hair gets enough buildup already

Please excuse my iPhone; it's trying to get it together

 

[hnntrr]

Thinking I might need to make a m/s spritz again. For people in more humid areas...do you find that glycerin helps?

I was thinking of doing a mixture of 50% water, some glycerin, marula oil, avocado oil, some conditioner and maybe some honey if I can get my hands on some.

I am really strugglin with my hair atm. I will condition it and it feels great...when the conditioner is in my hair especially after a overnight dc but soon as I rinse it out it feels super rough...and not....completely dry? But you can tell there is still some dryness in there.

I also may try to invest in a steamer or a heat cap soon as I get the cap. I am just not sure what to do though, it seems like everything I do doesn't work and my hair is still pretty dry. The only time something DID work was when I used the glycerin I think....but it was so long ago I dont really remember.

 

[divachyk]

If anyone has SSI Honey in their stash, it didn't work that great for a cowash but try it as a LI -- gave me nice, soft hair.

Bee Mine Hair Milk and PuraBody Murumuru Moisture Milk is great moisturizer for my lo-po hair.

More and more each day I'm finding hydrolyzed wheat protein is not my friend. Well, I'm protein sensitive to just about everything to be honest.

 

[FelaShrine]

Got an overdue trim so my ends look better.

Hoping to pick up WGC from Silk Dreams sometime soon (still holding out for a sale )

My next relaxers the options Im looking at are Affirm (I HATE that the lye one comes in a huge arse tub), Mizani Butter Blends and ORS Lye..decisions..

 

[FelaShrine]

divachyk thanks for the suggestions as Im looking for moisturizers that donmt have AVJ in the top 4 or 5. Would that bee-mine be good for lo-po AND fine hair you think?

 

[divachyk]

FelaShrine, it definitely works for low porosity hair. Initially I would have said yes, Bee Mine would work for fine hair. However, a friend of mine has fine hair and said it was too heavy for her hair. She and I are not local to each other so I'm unsure how much product she was using. It's a creamy consistency and I suggested she just scale back on the amount of product used. Let me double check with her and get back to you.

AVJ doesn't really work great for my hair. Just depends on how the product is formulated. I can not use AVJ straight, that's a fact.

 

[divachyk]

@divachyk thanks for the suggestions as Im looking for moisturizers that donmt have AVJ in the top 4 or 5. Would that bee-mine be good for lo-po AND fine hair you think?

@FelaShrine, ya know...some good products that work great day in and out is Aubrey Organics - White Camellia & Honey Suckle Rose. Have you tried these yet? My entire regi can consist of these two if I put my mind to it.

WC - LI, moisturizer, DC
HSR - LI, moisturizer if diluted otherwise it leaves a white film and DC

Now that's bang for your buck with these serving multi-purpose.

 

[Nia430]

I tried the Cassia last night and it left my hair super dry. I deep conditioned last night and did a wet bun today and its soo dry I just don't think my hair likes any type of henna. At this point im just going to go back to using sofliss keratin treatment because my hair was never dry like this and my hair was retaining more. I just didn't like changing my hair texture but im just going to have to go back to wearing roller sets or twistouts.

 

[faithVA]

I tried the Cassia last night and it left my hair super dry. I deep conditioned last night and did a wet bun today and its soo dry I just don't think my hair likes any type of henna. At this point im just going to go back to using sofliss keratin treatment because my hair was never dry like this and my hair was retaining more. I just didn't like changing my hair texture but im just going to have to go back to wearing roller sets or twistouts.

I didn't have success with henna either. Henna lays on the surface of my hair and allows even less water than usual into my strand. I used it for over a year. I eventually just went back to permanent color and my hair likes it much better.

Nothing wrong with letting it go if it doesn't work for you.

 

[Jobwright]

I tried the Cassia last night and it left my hair super dry. I deep conditioned last night and did a wet bun today and its soo dry I just don't think my hair likes any type of henna. At this point im just going to go back to using sofliss keratin treatment because my hair was never dry like this and my hair was retaining more. I just didn't like changing my hair texture but im just going to have to go back to wearing roller sets or twistouts.

Cassia left my hair really dry at first too. But after a really good deep condish, My hair felt much softer and stronger. I think it requires a DC after. Not sure if it is much better than just doing and Aphogee 2 min. At least with Aphogee I can manage getting the softness I want back immediately. With Cassia, it took a couple of days. I agree with faithVA. Do what works! Nothing beats a try though!

 

[divachyk]

FelaShrine, my friend scaled back on the amount of product used and is in love ~ her exact comments when I asked if it works "Yes, it works so good. Plus it keeps my hair soft after my morning workouts too." She's using Hair Milk & Luscious.

 

[FelaShrine]

Ok def gonna order it now. Thanks divachyk

 

[classoohfive]

I've been wearing my own hair in twists off and on for a while now. It helps blend the two textures (I wear it up so the big difference in thickness isn't so noticeable), makes dealing with my hair everyday easier, and moisturizing, washing, DC, and detangling is less of a headache. I need to give my hair a break from it and I'm not sure what style to try that will be just as easy.

After the break I want to install hair with the twists to even it out so I can wear it down. I'm just worried about how my LOPO natural hair would handle it. I would have to continue to DC weekly, so I'm afraid of them becoming loose. I'm also worried about getting moisture in. With box braids the sections are smaller so it's easy to soak my real hair, I just worry that in medium or large twists my hair won't get the moisture it needs. My LOPO hair needs to receive moisture everyday since it takes some time for it to give in and accept it. I'm afraid that I'll take the twists out and have massive breakage from dryness. erplexed

 

[FelaShrine]

Has any of yoiu girls used the Burts Bees avocado butter pre-poo?

Looks good..

 

[divachyk]

Has any of yoiu girls used the Burts Bees avocado butter pre-poo?

Looks good..

FelaShrine, no I haven't tried it. I just pre with random items in my stash.

 

[uofmpanther]

FelaShrine, no I haven't tried it. I just pre with random items in my stash.

Same here.

 

[faithVA]

Has any of yoiu girls used the Burts Bees avocado butter pre-poo?

Looks good..

Yes. It sounds wonderful but it did absolute NOTHING for my hair. And on top of that it smells like a state park restroom. That's just my opinion though. I wanted to like it. I wanted to like all of the products

If you already have it, please let me know how you like it.

 

[FelaShrine]

lol no i didnt get it. I wanna stop being so impulsive

btw divachyk do you like anything from Komaza..

also mma need you to do a blog post or video on how you use butters

 

[Saludable84]

lol no i didnt get it. I wanna stop being so impulsive

btw divachyk do you like anything from Komaza..

also mma need you to do a blog post or video on how you use butters

I told you about the BB in RHT, but the Komaza Califia didn't work well with me. Aloe and low po hair don't mix. My cuticles were so tight, my hair dried out and broke or tangled on each other. It was horrible.

Please excuse my iPhone; it's trying to get it together

 

[FelaShrine]

Thanks Saludable84. Have you tried anything else from Komaza?

I assume BB is burts bees?

 

[Saludable84]

Thanks Saludable84. Have you tried anything else from Komaza?

I assume BB is burts bees?

Nothing else from Komaza. I didn't trust it after that. Might be a good line, but I'll just stick to what I know for now.

BB; yes.

Please excuse my iPhone; it's trying to get it together

 

[Saludable84]

Being low porosity cause my PJism to decrease. It's like, I'm scared to try something new in fear it will contain something's my hair will hate and cause a setback.

Glycerin and Aloe Vera are not my best friends. Any of you ladies have any "it not you, it's my hair" products you like but can't use?

Please excuse my iPhone; it's trying to get it together