Think of low porosity hair as the polar opposite of high porosity hair. The cuticle is so tightly closed that moisture has a very hard time getting in, let alone getting out — this makes moisture retention very difficult. People with low porosity hair strands naturally contain too much keratin protein within their own structure. Low porosity hair is resistant to moisture and are protein-sensitive. By adding “unwanted” protein to the hair strand becomes stiff and brittle, causing it to break. Products applied to low porosity hair tend to sit on top of the hair instead of being absorbed, plus it takes a lot longer to become fully saturated. Low porosity hair can feel really oily at the roots and dry throughout the strands. Like high porosity hair, the challenge here is to strike that perfect balance of opening the cuticle just enough to let moisture in. Here are some do’s and don’ts to follow when caring for low porosity hair.
Characteristics of Low Porosity Hair
Hair takes a long time to dry
Products build up on curls rather than get absorbed
Natural oils don’t penetrate but sit on the hair
Hair takes much longer to get saturated when you wet it with water
SO WHAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RICE WATER HAIR MASK & TRADITIONAL RICE WATER
The short answer is a balance. Like we did with our Henna Hair Gloss and Fenugreek Hair Mask we took an ingredient that is amazing on its own but can be problematic for many because of it’s strength and balanced it with other ingredients to make it more gentle and moisturizing.
TRADITIONAL RICE WATER
Ingredient readily accessible
Very potent, easy to misuse and then cause breakage
Not balanced, can cause a drying effect
Will have to add other ingredients to conteract smell and drying effects
BELLE BAR ORGANIC RICE WATER HAIR MASK
Created to be balancing
Ingredients added to also help heal the scalp and balance the ph of the scalp
Safe to use for low porosity hair
Adds strength and softens hair, you will not feel the drying effects of the rice water
Will help in growing and retaining hair length if used properly
Rice water is a strengthening/protein treatment so the same protein rules apply
WASH DAY
Do not bounce back and forth between henna, fenugreek and rice water throughout the month. These are all strengthening/protein treatment.
Our strengthening/protein treatments are balanced as to turn down the effects of a pure protein treatment, so they are safe for you to use.
Use only ONE of these every 4 – 6 weeks. This is how it goes WEEK #1 RICE MASK, WEEK #2 MOISTURE MASK, WEEK #3 MOISTURE MASK, WEEK #4 MOISTURE MASK, WEEK #5 RICE MASK. Pay attention to your hair if it doesn’t like it every 4 weeks, move it to every 6 weeks.
Rinse/Cleanse your hair with warm water first to open the cuticles up. If everything you use on your hair is warmed up first it will penetrate your hair cuticle easier.
Your mix in ingredient with the hair mask should be warm as well. Do not use the microwave, warm your water on the stove or warm your ingredient using a double boiler.
Go the extra mile and use a blended avocado, pumpkin or banana with your hair mask instead of just conditioner. You NEED the moisture! (skip the banana if you have really fine hair, it tends to over-moisturize).
Make sure to get the mask on your scalp we added extra goodies to the hair mask to soothe and balance your scalp. A healthy scalp is very important to hair health and hair growth.
Use warm damp-heat when using the mask, this will open up the cuticle and allow all of the nutrients and vitamins in. A steamer or over the head dryer is best. Just the plastic bag and your body heat isnt enough.
DO NOT LEAVE THE RICE WATER IN YOUR HAIR. YOUR HAIR DOES NOT NEED THE EXTRA PROTEIN
Co-wash the mask out and then follow a moisturizing routine after and style as usual.
MAINTENANCE
You do not need daily/weekly protein. Your hair will NOT like it. Read your product labels.
BE PATIENT. More is not more. Do not use our hair mask with traditional rice water on wash day, then spritz your hair with rice water during the week etc… I know it sometimes feels like if you are adding more product it will grow/fix your hair faster. It won’t. You will cause breakage. EVERYTIME!
Throughout the week, you want to moisturize your hair while damp versus thoroughly wet or dry because the pores would either be too full or too flat to reap the benefits. You can use a tea rinse but NO MORE than 2 -3 times a week. Water, aloe vera juice is your best friend. You need to rotate throughout the week.
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#CROWN Rice Water Balance Kit- Low Porosity
This kit comes with the reward of restored balanced hair, hair growth, and moisture that locks in from root to tip. The Hibiscus Hair Mask and Guacamole Hair Mask should be used on alternating weeks as it is moisturizing which is exactly what your low porosity hair needs. The Rice Water Hair Mask is that shot of protein that you need to keep your hair balanced and should be used ONCE ever 4 – 6 weeks.
This kit comes with Rice Water Hair Mask, Hibiscus Hair Mask and Guacamole Hair Mask.
