As for hair, or rather hair care, one of the greatest problems faced by low porosity hair owners is how to maintain moisture. It is possible to test product after product without thinking that your hair remains dry or heavy. The solution? Plain sugars, such as honey and agave, should be a lifesaver when it comes to sealing in moisture for low porosity hair.
In this guide, you’re going to learn how these natural sugars work, why they are good for hair, why they are bad for hair, and how to make your very own at-home hair treatments for dry hair. Let’s dive in!
What is Low-Porosity Hair?
Low porosity hair it means that the cuticles are very closely knitted and therefore it is hard for moisture to enter into the hair. This means while it is an excellent technique for sealing in moisture it can be a bit tricky if you want to apply moisture to the hair. It accumulates at the surface forming a layer which does not penetrate the hair shafts; thus result in build-up what and dryness.
How Humectants Help
Humectants are substances which absorb the water in the environment and retain this moisture in hair shafts. In the context of hair, humectants can entice moisture into the hair strand and hold it firmly preventing the escape of such moisture. This makes them especially helpful for low porosity hair which doesn’t easily retain moisture by its own accord.
Raw sugar which includes honey and agave are among the best humectants you could add to your skin. It is available in most of the stores, it is highly nutritious, and thus provides the body with an easy and natural way of absorption of water without coming across the harshest chemicals like those containing the gel fruit.
Advantages of Using Natural Sugars on Low Porosity Hair
1. Hydration Without Buildup
One of the biggest issues for the low porosity hair type is the ability to get moisturizer that will not lead to product accumulation. Most of the commercial product have heavy oils or butters that only leave deposits on the hair. Natural sugars, however, are lightweight and penetrate more effectively, providing hydration without that greasy feeling.
2. Nourishment
Most men and women nowadays are well aware of the benefits that could be derived from honey and agave nectar which contain vitamins and minerals that would feed the hair. For instance, honey, which contains vitamins B, C, as well as such minerals as iron and magnesium, contributes to hair strengthening. Agave, on the other hand, is packed in saponins which are beneficial for removing dirt from the scalp and at the same time, it moisturises the scalp.
3. Enhanced Shine
They also used honey and agave which contains sugars that refine the hair cuticle and makes hair look better or shinier. This is particularly crucial for the low porosity hairs because they always have a problem of being shiny since their scalp is covered by tightly compacted cuticles.
4. Scalp Health
Honey and agave contain antimicrobial properties and therefore enhances the well being of the scalp. A healthy scalp should be balanced for proper hair growth as well as not develop problems such as dandruff or itchiness.
Some of the negative aspect of consuming natural sugars are the following:
Although natural sugars are a wonderful choice for many individuals, they do have a few drawbacks.
1. Sticky Residue
They both are sticky mixtures, so if not washed out well – honey and agave will stay on your hair all sticky as they are. As such, it is always advisable to rinse very well and using a follow up with a light conditioner.
2. Over-Moisturizing
You thought that was great because now you can see that, yes, even too much of a good thing is bad. But if you overdo it, your hair becomes too soft because it attracts too much moisture leaving it with poor structure. This is most especially true if the environment is very humid such that the air around is already saturated with moisture.
3. Attracting Dust and Dirt
Some of them, when used on hair, make the hair strands to be more absorbent to dirt and dust if used in a polluted environment. One given advice concerning the use of these treatments is that you should wash your hair often to ensure there is no accumulation.
Natural Sugars for DIY Hair Treatment in African American Low-Porosity Hair
Now that you have learned about the benefits and drawbacks of using natural sugars in hair, I am going to give you some techniques and recipes to make natural hair treatments at home. These treatments will assist to seal in moisture, condition your hair and keep your scalp moisturized and healthy.
1. Hydrating hair mask using honey and Aloe vera
That is why this hydrating mask is suitable for moisturizing low porosity hair most of which is dry. Aloe vera has been incorporated to provide enhaced hydration and honey to retain it on the skin for longer periods.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of raw honey
1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon of jojoba oil as required for skin, (optional)
Instructions:
In another bowl combine the honey and the aloe Vera gel.
If you have dry hair, you can use one tablespoon of jojoba oil to your hair concealer formula.
Spread the mixture on damp, clean hair; the areas of emphasis should be the midshaft and tips.
Put a shower cap on and keep the mask on for half an hour.
Rinse well in low heat water, then in a low-impact conditioner.
Benefits:
Honey performs the function of a humectant by drawing moisture to the hair.
It also minimizes flaking and gives the hair much needed bmp; without weighing it down like other oils.
If used, jojoba oil is ideal for low porosity hair since it closely resembles the scalp’s sebum levels.
2. Agave and coconut milk.
It should be noted that agave is even lighter than honey although some people consider honey to be rather heavy. This leave-in conditioner shall be used to condition your hair, without adding any sort of moisture that would make it look greasy.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of agave syrup
1/4 cup of coconut milk
0.5 tablespoons of liquid glycerin (or 1 teaspoon, optional)
Instructions:
Pour the agave syrup and coconut milk in another container then shake it and pour it in a spray bottle.
Optional, you may further enhance it by adding glycerin for extra moisture.
Shake well to combine.
Treat the hair with the mixture when it is still damp and make sure you apply it especially at the end of hair.
As usual with your own hair, do not use a hairdryer, if you do, choose air-dry or use the diffuser and set on low heat.
Benefits:
Agave syrup on the other hand absorbs moisture and imparts a healthy sheen.
Coconut milk gives the hair light moisture and does not weigh it down.
Glycerin assists to densify and stabilize the skin and not being affected by humidity,” she stated.
3. Honey and Banana Deep Conditioner.
The bananas contain potassium and vitamins that help strengthen hair; honey helps to seal in moisture and this mask is perfect for dry and brittle hair.
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
2 tablespoons of honey
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Instructions:
Mash the banana until it’s pureed well (do not include lumps because they’ll be difficult to wash off).
Stir in the honey and the olive oil.
After washing the hair apply the treatment on wet hair but preferring the hair tips and scalps which may be in critical condition.
Keep the mask on for 20 – 30 minutes.
WaGeneral Guidelines:
Once a week: In case of the facial masks as the Honey and Aloe Vera Hydrating Hair Mask.
Every 2–3 days: ADVANCED SKIN PLUS AGAVE AND COCONUT MILK LEAVE IN CONDITIONER Suitable for regular use or as a lighter alternative to the other products listed.
Once a month: On other hair treatments such as the Honey and Banana Deep Conditioner.
Always listen to your hair! If it is feeling too soft or limp, you should cut back on the use of the moisture treatments and let it get some air.
Final Thoughts
If your hair happens to belong to the low porosity category, this is probably one of the best things that can happen to you: incorporating natural sugars into your hair care regimen can be a total life changer! These natural moisture magnets help to lock in moisture and feeds it while making it have a healthy natural sheen. However as most great things they have some sort of catch to them, the hair can get very sticky if too much is used, or the hair can become oily due to the use of oils, but for the most part they are a great replacement for heavy oils or commercially available products that make the hair become too weighed down.
With these homemade remedies, you can hydrate your low porosity hair without excessive deposits of product on the hair shaft. Therefore, do not hesitate to use some of those treatments mentioned here because you are surely going to be laughing all the way to the beauty parlors each time you feel your hair becoming softer, silkier, and healthier.