All About Hair Porosity
What is Hair Porosity?
Porosity refers to your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. It is often the reason why products will or won't be effective on your hair. Learning your hair's porosity type, can save a lot of money, time and frustration.
The cuticles of the hair shaft determine your hair porosity's type, which is defined by genetics, but also by factors such as heat, chemical and environmental damage. Don't forget with kinky, coily, curly hair types, we recommend the Liquid, Cream Oil (LCO) method, but how you use this depends on your hair porosity.
Porosity refers to your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. It is often the reason why products will or won't be effective on your hair. Learning your hair's porosity type, can save a lot of money, time and frustration.
The cuticles of the hair shaft determine your hair porosity's type, which is defined by genetics, but also by factors such as heat, chemical and environmental damage. Don't forget with kinky, coily, curly hair types, we recommend the Liquid, Cream Oil (LCO) method, but how you use this depends on your hair porosity.
Low Porosity Hair
Low porosity hair struggles to absorb moisture. The cuticles on the outmost layer of this hair type, tend to overlap each other and are tightly packed together. This compact structure mean it can be difficult for water and products to penetrate. Products tend to sit on top of the hair
What to do if you have Low Porosity hair
1. Use a clarifying shampoo to remove build up this will help to move the barriers preventing moisture from absorbing.
2. Deep condition with steam or a hair dryer. The heat will help to open the hair shaft, allowing the treatment to penetrate.
3. Complete the Liquid, Cream Oil (L.C.O) method after deep conditioning, the oil will help to seal in the moisture.
Low porosity hair struggles to absorb moisture. The cuticles on the outmost layer of this hair type, tend to overlap each other and are tightly packed together. This compact structure mean it can be difficult for water and products to penetrate. Products tend to sit on top of the hair
What to do if you have Low Porosity hair
1. Use a clarifying shampoo to remove build up this will help to move the barriers preventing moisture from absorbing.
2. Deep condition with steam or a hair dryer. The heat will help to open the hair shaft, allowing the treatment to penetrate.
3. Complete the Liquid, Cream Oil (L.C.O) method after deep conditioning, the oil will help to seal in the moisture.
Medium Porosity Hair
Hair with medium porosity often requires less maintenance to retain moisture. The cuticle layer on this hair type, allows the right amount of moisture to enter while preventing too much moisture from escaping. Hair with medium porosity doesn't take too long to absorb moisture or to dry. This hair type has minimal breakage caused by a lack of moisture and easily holds styles.
What to do if you have Medium Porosity hair
1. Avoid using heavy products. Some good ingredients for hair that’s medium porosity include: Vitamin E oil, Jojoba Oil
2. Dry condition your hair only when you deem it necessary, not as part of your daily hair care routine. Too much protein could damage your hair type.
2. Dry condition your hair only when you deem it necessary, not as part of your daily hair care routine. Too much protein could damage your hair type.
High Porosity Hair
High porosity hair easily absorbs moisture. The cuticles in high porosity hair are far apart and/or raised, making this hair type prone to over-absorption. The structure of this porosity type means that you can lose the moisture as the cuticles remain open. High Porosity hair can be difficult to add shine, it can also tangle easily and is prone to breakage. As this hair type loses moisture easily, it can often be dry, causing breakage and weakened ends.
What to do if you have High Porosity Hair
1. Use oily conditioners, this will help to fill in the gaps between the cuticles, helping to stop moisture from escaping. Conditioners which are rich in butters and oils are a good choice.
2. Deep condition using products that add moisture and protein. The moisture will reduce the dryness, while the protein will help to strengthen hair, preventing breakage.
3. Include protein treatments in your conditioning routine, use heavier products with natural oils to help retain moisture.
3. Include protein treatments in your conditioning routine, use heavier products with natural oils to help retain moisture.