Is coconut oil good for low porosity hair?

Low porosity hair means hair that has cuticles that are closely sealed and they do not readily permeate with water. This can lead to challenges to having and maintaining of moisture content, since hair is dry and brittle. Coconut oil is a natural hair treatment product, widely recommended for every type of hair. But is it good for low porosity hair?

Understanding Coconut Oil

The coconut oil being a product from the coconut palm tree known scientifically as Cocos nucifera has been used for centuries. It is popular in hair care because it has a high proportion of lauric acid, which has microbial, antioxidant and calming activities.

In terms of hair, coconut oil is best known for its ability to both moisturise hair and to reduce frizz, leaving hair soft. It is also stated that it also acts as a hair tonic, that makes hair stronger, more elastic and resistant to protein loss. It contains caprylic, caproic and myristic fatty acid which fortify the hair shaft.

Coconut Oil for Low Porosity Hair 

Moisturization

Coconut oil’s value is in its capacity to penetrate the hair shaft; therefore, it is an ideal moisturizing agent. It protects the hair strands from air from blowing on the outside through it and making the strands drier.

Reduces Breakage

Coconut oil is good for hair because it helps make it healthy by avoiding split ends. As it is observed, coconut oil helps in making the hair shafts stronger and thus reduces the protein loss which would ultimately result to hair lengthening.

Enhances Shine

The moisturizing characteristics also give the hair more lustre because it appears healthy and lively.

Disadvantages of Coconut Oil on Low Hair Porosity

1. Difficulty in Penetration

Some issues that make it very hard for coconut oil to penetrate the hair shaft include, tightly packed cuticles of low porosity hair. It can cover the surface of hair strands with the oil layer, but its ability to supply hair shafts with deep hydration and nourishment in the course of a day may be reduced.

2. Weightiness

This is because coconut oil contains a lot of fatty acids meaning it will make the hair feel heavy, and greasy. This can be especially cumbersome for the low porosity hair type because such hair type is usually prone to being greasy.

3. Compatibility 

Some people with low porosity hair have complained that putting on coconut oil makes their hair incompatible with other products. That can end up on the hair, building up the products and shaping a nice texture.

Coconut Oil’s Closest Substitutes 

1. Shea Butter

Low porosity hair should use Shea butter as one of its options. It does not contain preservatives, is lightweight on skin, and acts swiftly, it’s enriched with vitamins and antioxidants. Furthermore, shea butter has emollient properties that enables the moistening of hair; thus, makes ideal product for it.

2. Jojoba Oil

This oil is particularly beneficial because it is as close to the naturally produced sebum by the scalp’s skin as you can get. It is light with small molecules it is capable of seeping in to the hair shaft thus making it appropriate to be used on low porosity hair.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera can be used for low porosity hair and is also an ideal natural remedy. This contains minerals, vitamins and enzymes that primarily elevate the growth of hair and hardening hair. Low porosity hair should also embrace aloe vera gel due to the great hydrating abilities of this gel.

Low porosity hair tips you need to make in order to attain a healthy hair.

1. Use a Heat Protectant

The key as mentioned above when blow drying or otherwise applying heat on low porosity hair is the application of heat protectant. This will afford protection to your hair that would otherwise be damaged and your hair will look good always.

2. Avoid Overprocessing

Heating, dyeing or chemically treating hair is fatal for the hair condition, and if you have low porosity hair type, it will be even worse. These treatments should only be done in moderation, in order to keep hair healthy.

3. Use a Pore Refining Serum

A pore refining serum will also mean the hair cuticles are opened up and thus there will be an easy entry point for the coconut oil to the hair shaft.

4. Use a Protein Treatment

Treatments that involve use of protein restructure the hair shaft thereby making it harder to break. The use of conditioner in washing the hair can be very useful for low porosity hair since such hair is very dry and brittle.

Coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer and conditioner for low porosity hair because of the oil’s composition and properties that allow for penetration; however, the penetration of most oils is challenging due to the oil’s density. Low porosity hair, on the other hand should embrace different products such as shea butter, jojoba and aloe vera. Also, managing to undertake good regimen for hair and reducing heat and chemical appliances on the hair also go a long way in taking care of low porosity hair.