Did you know that proper hydration is the key to healthier, more manageable hair? Hair porosity refers to how easily your hair is able to soak up and retain moisture.
Welcome to the ultimate guide on all things hair porosity! Whether you’re a hair care enthusiast or simply looking to understand your strands better, we’re here to unravel the mysteries of hair porosity and equip you with the knowledge to level up your hair game.
What Is Hair Porosity?
Knowing your hair’s porosity (something that’s frequently discussed within the textured-hair community) can reveal a lot about your hair, like why you may be prone to flyaways or what the best products are for the style you want. Essentially, porosity determines how your hair can retain and absorb moisture.
Low porosity hair has a tightly bound cuticle layer that makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate. This type of hair may often feel dry and take longer to dry after washing.
High porosity hair has gaps in the cuticle layer, causing moisture to easily escape. This type of hair can be prone to frizz and tangles as it lacks proper moisture retention abilities.
Do You Have High Or Low Hair Porosity?
There is an easy, at-home trick to test. Grab strands of your hair, drop the hair strands in a glass of water and if they float, the hair has low porosity. If the hair sinks instantly, it is high porosity. Or you can see this test:
READ MORE: How To Use Rosemary Oil To Grow Stronger, Healthier Hair, According to Experts
Tips For Managing Each Type Of Hair Porosity
Managing your hair porosity is essential for maintaining healthy hair. For low-porosity hair, use lightweight products like leave-in conditioners to prevent buildup. Incorporating steam treatments can help open up the cuticles for better product absorption. High porosity hair requires extra care to retain moisture. Opt for creamy leave-in conditioners and oils to seal in hydration. Protein treatments can help strengthen the strands and reduce breakage. Be gentle with your hair when detangling to avoid further damage.
One common misconception about hair porosity is that it cannot change over time. Some people believe that once you determine your hair porosity, it remains fixed for life. However, various factors such as heat styling, chemical treatments, and environmental exposure can alter the porosity of your hair.
How To Care For High Porosity Hair
- Trim your hair
A 2cm trim every four to six weeks may help to stimulate new hair growth and keep the ends looking healthy. - Detangle with a detangler
When brushing out knots, it’s vital to carefully detangle hair to protect hair cuticles and prevent breakage. - Silk or satin are good choices
Instead of cotton pillowcases or head wraps, choose silk pillows or wraps that won’t dry out your hair more or cause friction to lift the cuticle and cause breakage. - Avoid over-washing your hair
This can strip away natural oils, leading to even more frizz and dryness. Instead, try co-washing with a cleansing conditioner in between regular washes to maintain moisture without stripping the hair of its natural oils.
Products For High Porosity Hair
A mild, sulfate-free shampoo and rich conditioners with oils and butters help to prevent dryness in high-porosity hair. Here are products you can use.
Aunt Jackie’s Fix My Hair Intensive Repair Conditioning Masque
Try this rich conditioner with flaxseed, avocado and coconut oils; ingredients that prevent breakage and repair damage. This blend is best used to rescue brittle and dry hair.
Mizani Styling Foam Wrap
This foam wrap is a lightweight foaming wrap infused with the nourishing and strengthening properties of monoi oil, shea butter and anti-breakage ceramides.
ORS Argan Oil Fortifying Hair Oil
Here is a strengthening oil that moisturises damaged hair – leaving it less prone to breakage – unlike many other oils, which break the hair strand. This oil promotes growth and will improve your overall hair health.
READ MORE: The Exact Ingredients For Better Hair Growth, According To Experts
Products For Low Porosity Hair
Low-porosity hair may need a shampoo with a higher pH, like a clarifying wash, to lift dirt, oil and build-up that gets caught under the cuticle layer. And deep conditioning mask once a month. Here are some products you can use.
John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Deep Conditioner Masque
This blend works well for dry, heat-damaged hair. It visibly repairs and adds silkiness to undernourished hair. The Argan, coconut and moringa oils in the formula add shine and softness to split ends.
Lee Stafford Volumising Mousse Double Blow
A non-sticky mousse that gets to work instantly to uplift hair and give you loads of volume and major body. It won’t flake!
Kristin Ess Hair Weightless Shine Working Serum
This serum is great for locking in moisture without weighing the hair down and making it feel greasy. Bonus: you only need to use a pea-sized amount on wet hair!
Women’s Health participates in various affiliate marketing programmes, which means we may get commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
