Dear Byoodies
Hair porosity. It’s a word you’ve probably heard before, but understanding it can make your life as a curly-haired person a whole lot easier. It has everything to do with how well your hair can absorb moisture, something many of us struggle with, whether it’s dryness or oiliness.
Do you recognize that feeling of dry and frizzy hair? Then chances are you are dealing with porous hair, also known as high porosity. To tackle this problem, it is important to understand how porous your hair actually is.
What is its porosity?
Your hair’s porosity is a measure of how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture and hair products. If your hair is porous, the moisture balance is out of whack. And by moisture, we don’t just mean water, but also the nourishment your hair receives from masks and other hair products. This small but important detail has a huge impact on how your hair responds to hydration, products, and even the climate around you. It’s determined by the condition of the hair cuticles, which lie on top of each other like roof tiles on the outer layer of your hair.
Damaged hair is characterized by damaged hair shafts, often caused by friction with other hair, rough towels, and using hot styling tools. Chemical treatments can open and close the hair cuticles, which can also cause damage.
Understanding your hair porosity is key to unlocking a world of hair care options that are perfectly suited to your unique needs. Choosing the right products, treatments, and styling methods becomes so much easier when you know whether you have high porosity, low porosity, or medium porosity hair, but what exactly are the differences between these levels?
Low porosity
If you find that your hair stays wet longer than usual after washing, chances are that your locks have low porosity. This means that the cuticles of your hair lie flat and overlap. This is common in hair that hasn’t been exposed to a lot of chemicals or extreme heat. You could say that this is generally healthy hair. The benefit of this is that it reflects light, giving your curls a beautiful shine. The downside, however, is that due to the closed cuticles, it is difficult for this hair type to absorb moisture. This hair type requires patience and a strategic approach to thrive.
Features:
- Products tend to sit on your hair.
- It takes longer to wet and dry your hair.
- Your hair will stay hydrated for longer, but it can feel heavy or greasy from excess products.
Tips:
For your low porosity hair, gentleness is key. Avoid the weight of heavy products and styling agents that can lead to buildup, leaving your hair feeling heavy or greasy. Instead, opt for lightweight oils like sunflower or jojoba, perfect for a gentle touch. Wash your hair sparingly to prevent buildup and hydrate deeply with a deep conditioner that will nourish your hair’s moisture balance. Heat can gently open the hair cuticle for better product absorption; think a warm microfiber towel or shower cap while conditioning. And remember, byoodie, to apply your hair products to wet hair for maximum hydration.
- Use light, hydrating products and apply to damp hair to promote absorption.
- Steam or heat can help gently open the hair cuticles.
- Avoid heavy creams or thick oils that can weigh down the hair.
Product selection:
- Choose light oils such as argan oil and moisturizing products that are not heavy.
- Cleanse regularly with a gentle, clarifying shampoo to prevent product build-up.
Common Hair Types:
People with straight hair or fine curls often experience low porosity.
Medium porosity hair
Medium porosity hair is the balance point, the zen of hair care. It is receptive to moisture and nutrients, but not so much that it cannot retain what it receives. This is the type of hair that adapts and responds, and it makes care a joyful, less complicated experience.
Features:
- Your hair absorbs and retains moisture without much effort.
- It is easy to style and responds well to different products.
Tips:
- Stay consistent with hydration, but don't be afraid to use richer products every now and then.
- Balance is the magic word here.
Product selection:
- You have the freedom to use a variety of products.
- Choose products that provide a balanced mix of hydration and nutrients.
Common Hair Types:
- Most hair types fall into this category and enjoy a relatively simple care routine.
High porosity
If you notice that your hair dries out very quickly and becomes dull after washing, chances are that your locks have high porosity. High porosity hair often has damaged cuticles due to exposure to heat or chemical treatments such as bleaching and dyeing. This damage causes the cuticles to open wide. These properties make it easy for moisture to penetrate your hair. However, the hair does not retain this moisture well, causing it to be lost quickly.
Features:
- Your hair gets wet quickly but also dries quickly, is often frizzy and tends to tangle quickly.
- Your hair often feels dry and can quickly develop split ends.
Tips:
To maintain the beauty of your locks, treat them to a cold rinse after washing; this will close the cuticle and lock in moisture. A dash of apple cider vinegar can also do wonders for the shine and health of your hair. Consider the LOC/LCO method for deep nourishment and hydration. But remember, my dear, embrace your hair’s natural beauty by avoiding heat and chemical dyes. This will keep your hair strong, healthy and radiant.
- Use rich, nourishing products like a good leave-in conditioner that locks in moisture with heavier oils or butters.
- Protein treatments can help strengthen the structure.
Product selection:
- Look for products that are intensely moisturizing and help lock it in.
- Avoid harsh sulfates and alcohol that can further dry out hair.
Common Hair Types:
- Often experienced by people with chemically treated hair, or naturally very curly to frizzy hair.
Testing her porosity
To test the porosity of your curls, you can take a few loose, washed hairs and place them in a glass of water.
The float test
- With high porosity, your curl will sink to the bottom of the glass. This means that your hair absorbs water quickly and therefore sinks.
- With low porosity, your curl will float on the surface of the water without sinking.
- With medium porosity, your curl will remain somewhere in between, floating in the middle of the glass of water.
The finger test
Take a strand of hair and stroke it between your fingers, from the tip to the root. Feel the texture. If it feels smooth, like a soft caress, then your hair is low porosity.
If it feels rough, your hair has high porosity and is craving rich, deep care.
Do you have any questions? Leave a comment below.
Lots of love,
Jessy van Byoode