Picking up where we left with our last post, there are two methods to care for your hair. Depending on your hair porosity, you can employ the LOC (The Liquid Oil Cream Method) or the LCO (The Live-in Cream Oil Method). Knowing your hair’s porosity is pertinent to caring for your hair naturally because it is the ability for the hair to retain moisture. It describes how open your cuticle is on the hair shaft. To better understand hair types, porosity can be classified in three categories:
· Low porosity
· Medium porosity
· High porosity
Low porosity:
This is when the cuticle is tightly waxed that it struggles to let moisture in. The use of heat caps and steaming helps in opening up the cuticle for an easier absorption of products. Since this hair type is very moisture resistant, using a lot of light liquid-based products like coconut oil or shea butter is beneficial and the LOC method is recommended for the best results.
Medium porosity:
This is when the cuticle is loose enough for a steady flow of moisture. Avoid too much protein treatments in your regimen as it may damage your cuticle and make it very loose.
High porosity:
This is when the cuticle layer is extremely loose, thus products can easily be absorbed by your hair. Unfortunately, it may also be too loose that much of the absorbed moisture cannot be retained long enough for proper nourishment of the hair. This can be genetic or it could be damages resulting from years of heat application and using products like bleaching. Make use of protein treatments as they help patch the holes on the cuticle and make your hair stronger. Also, employing a lot of sealants like shea butter and extra virgin olive oil will lock in the moisture needed, and the LCO method is the best recommendation.
You should also think about using satin lined hats and bonnets more often in your hair care routine. These elements can really do a number on your hair. Over exposure to UV rays and severe cold weather can be very damaging to hair. Satin bonnets are a better choice than cotton bonnets because cotton sucks out the moisture in hair, leaving it dry and wanting. Be consistent in your routine and protect your hair day and night, even during sleep time. If using a bonnet becomes more of a nuisance, especially at night, getting yourself a satin pillowcase might be the next best thing.
Lastly, avoid the over-manipulation of your hair. This includes an excessive amount of combing, touching and styling, which has become known in the natural hair community as chronic “hand in hair syndrome.” Constant touching, brushing or combing may feel nice, but it is wise consider styles that require less touching and manipulating. Protective styles like crotchet braids or twists (and twist-outs) help give your hair a break from the constant pull and tag,
thus retaining more moisture. The more you manipulate your hair, the drier, frizzier and the more split ends you end up with.
Please feel free to share your experience in the comments box below.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next tips!