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Additionally, be sure to steer clear of products that are clarifying or high alcohol content sprays, since these also zap moisture. "Spritz a section of clean, dry hair with water," Park says, "If the water beads up and takes a while to be absorbed, your hair may have low porosity. If it quickly soaks in, it suggests high porosity." Here are some examples of conditioners that may be especially helpful for highly porous hair. These types of treatments can damage your cuticles, causing them to lift or separate. This can create gaps between your cuticles and, as a result, your hair may be more porous than it would normally be. If you’re unsure which type of hair you have, there are a few experiments you can try at home to get a general idea of whether you have low, average, or high porosity hair.
High Porosity Hair Care
Products with those types of chemicals are a big NO NO as they pull essential moisture from your hair. The most popular way to confirm if you have high porosity hair is to do a strand test on clean hair. All you have to do is take a strand of your hair and drop it in a glass of water. If your hair sinks very quickly to the bottom, you have high porosity hair.
The Essential Care Tips for High-Porosity Hair
These cuticles protect the inner layers of your hair by controlling how much moisture, as well as products and chemicals, can be absorbed. Hair with “normal” levels of porosity will absorb 75% of the maximum water possible within four minutes. People with normal porosity hair usually have an easy time getting their hair to hold bleach, hair dye, or relaxer, and the results tend to be predictable. After a few minutes of allowing the hair to rest in the water, take a look. And if the strand is somewhere in the middle of the water, you have medium to normal porosity hair. "High porosity hair has many gaps in the hair shaft because the cuticles are raised. Adding protein will reduce breakage, make your hair thicker and improve the elasticity of your hair."
How to determine your hair porosity
Heat damage and other chemical processes can cause normal porosity hair to change over time. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that high ponytail may not be worth it. “For hairstyles, try to avoid ones that cause further damage or breakage like tighter hairstyles that can pull at the hair,” Dr. Kahen says. It’s also best avoid excessive heat styling and go easy when brushing your hair. Use a wide tooth detangling comb or a gentle brush to prevent breakage. “It is best to avoid sulfates when possible as these can be drying,” Dr. Garshick says, so opt for a sulfate-free shampoo at the very least.
What Is High Porosity Hair—and How to Treat It - Real Simple
What Is High Porosity Hair—and How to Treat It.
Posted: Wed, 06 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Cut Down on Styling
High-Porosity Hair: An Expert-Approved Care Guide - InStyle
High-Porosity Hair: An Expert-Approved Care Guide.
Posted: Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you want to get a better understanding of highly porous hair, how to care for it, and the types of products to use, this article may have the answers you’re looking for. The reason high porosity hair behaves that way has to do with the structure of the hair strand. When the cuticles, which are the outermost layer of the hair, are too far apart, your hair is highly porous. Hair that is high in porosity typically tangles easier, so it’s important to detangle hair to prevent further breakage when brushing out knots, advises Dr. Kahen. A top-rated hair detangler will help moisturize those tangles so they are easily released and you have no breakage. Garnier Gentle Detangling Hair Milk features a blend of oats, rice extract and aloe juice to glide right through knots while adding hydration to thirsty strands.
Its clean formula is packed with natural ingredients, too, such as coconut oil, moringa leaf extract, and false daisy extract, each of which support healthy hair and a balanced scalp. Consistent use of moisturizing hair-care products tailored to high-porosity hair types is key. Our experts also recommend regularly incorporating deep-conditioning treatments or hair masks into your routine. “These treatments should be applied weekly to replenish moisture and restore the hair's elasticity and vitality,” says Powell.
As high porosity hair is fragile and subject to breakage, incorporating protein will help to fortify it. Processing your hair or styling your hair like straightening, blow-drying, bleaching or using other chemical applications can all lead to high porosity hair. Individuals with high-porosity hair encounter several challenges when striving to maintain hair health.
He recommends plant-based oils like coconut and sea buckthorn oil, which are hydrating to the hair, as well as moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and manuka honey. Dr. Garshick suggests Andalou Naturals Argan Oil Conditioner, as it contains a blend of argan oil and avocado oil, as well as shea butter and vitamin E to both moisturize and condition the scalp. If you have highly porous hair, you can expect lots of frizz, especially during humid weather, dullness and tangles. Your hair will also likely be prone to breakage and damage, and may look and feel dry. There are multiple factors that can cause high-porosity hair—the biggest one being genetics.
Different Types of Hair Porosity
High-porosity hair is more susceptible to external damage from heat styling, chemical treatments, and environmental stressors. Its raised cuticle layer leaves it prone to breakage and split ends, so it requires vigilant protection. To help nourish, moisturize, and repair highly porous hair, it’s important to use products that have the right formulation for this hair type.
“Remember that all hair is already dead, so it’s important to nourish it as much as possible, especially if you’re doing damaging treatments that can lead to high hair porosity,” Dr. Kahen says. This shampoo specifically targets damage so that users observe a significant improvement in their hair after each wash. Highly moisturizing yet cleansing, it’s suitable for all hair types and textures and is color safe to boot. Customers love the formula for how soft it leaves hair feeling, with one reviewer calling it the best shampoo she’s used in her life. The formula also eschews harsh cleansing ingredients like sulfates, opting instead for mild surfactants that thoroughly cleanse the scalp and strands of buildup, sweat, and pollutants without stripping hair of its natural oils.
This can cause your hair cuticles to become raised and open, which may make it harder for your hair to retain moisture. "High porosity hair usually needs more protein or oil to help seal in moisture. Some conditioners have more protein in them, so look for conditioners with keratin, wheat, or silk protein for added strength," she explains. Stevens suggests using an egg, which is packed with proteins, to help strengthen weakened strands. Cleansing, on the other hand, isn't based on any porosity but how much build up in on the hair.
High-porosity hair differs from other hair types in that it quickly absorbs and loses moisture due to a raised or open cuticle layer. This stands in contrast to low-porosity hair, which has a tightly closed cuticle layer that makes it more resistant to moisture absorption. Medium-porosity hair falls somewhere in between, with a moderately receptive cuticle layer. High-porosity hair can be a bit of a diva—it does a great job of soaking in moisture that’s applied to the hair, but then loses that moisture too quickly. “The cuticle, or outermost layer of the hair, has what would best be described as scales coating it,” explains Paul Cucinello, a celebrity stylist, beauty expert, and founder of Cucinello Beauty.
Bailey says, "I encourage regular cuts and trims, using a moisturizing and reparative shampoo, followed by a moisturizing conditioner." Having high porosity hair does not have to stop you from having beautiful healthy hair. The next step is learning what products work best for your hair and learning how to care for your hair. Another way to tell is if your hair color processes really quickly, which means your hair is definitely porous. “It’s also a good idea to test the pH of the water you wash your hair in—you can use a water pH test kit to determine what the pH of the water you’re showering or washing your hair in is,” suggests Cucinello.
In high-humidity climates, this can lead to hair becoming poofy and frizzy. Also, if the cuticles are too widely spaced, your hair will have a harder time retaining moisture and staying hydrated. "I love to use OLAPLEX for anyone with high porosity hair," says Bailey. Since using heat is pretty much detrimental to your hair, always use heat protectors to protect your hair when heat styling your tresses. Most shampoos are too clarifying and will leave your hair dry and stripped. You can also go for a gentle apple cider vinegar rinse, if that is your thing.
Protective styling involves braiding your hair, wearing wigs or adding hair extensions to your hair. Anything that reduces constant manipulation of your hair is basically protective styling. Natural hair clip-ins, for example, help you to have fuller, longer hair without much manipulation. Deep conditioning treatments are especially helpful for adding moisture, nourishment, and softness to highly porous hair. High porosity hair can be genetic, which means that it runs in your family. Many times, though, it’s caused by hair processing and styling treatments like straightening, blow-drying, bleaching, and other chemical applications.
“These products are intentionally formulated to be acidic in order to preserve color or make your hair feel smoother by lowering the pH,” he explains. Black hair requires a lot of moisture when it's healthy, so when it's high porosity, it needs it even more. The goal here is to manage your damaged tresses while promoting healthy new growth that doesn't become high porosity. Bailey recommends using the Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Wash Day Deep Moisture Masque ($16). To help nourish, moisturize, and repair highly porous hair, you may have to use certain hair care products that include “heavier” ingredients like oils or butters.
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