What is high porosity hair?
High Porosity Hair: A Comprehensive Guide
What is High Porosity Hair?
High Porosity Hair has a hair cuticle that is very open, allowing moisture to be easily absorbed into the hair shaft. However, due to this openness, it also loses moisture just as quickly. This is often due to genetic predisposition, damage from heat styling, chemical treatments (like perms or coloring), or environmental factors.
Characteristics of High Porosity Hair:
- Absorbs Water Quickly: Hair gets saturated almost instantly when wet.
- Dries Quickly: While it absorbs moisture fast, it also loses it rapidly, leading to quick drying times.
- Feels Dry and Brittle: Due to the constant loss of moisture, the hair may feel dry, rough, and prone to breakage.
- Tangles Easily: The open cuticle can cause strands to catch on each other, leading to tangles and knots.
- Prone to Frizz: Moisture fluctuations can cause the hair to frizz easily, especially in humid environments.
- Product Absorbtion: Hair products get absorved very fast.
Causes of High Porosity:
- Genetics: Some people are naturally born with more porous hair.
- Chemical Treatments: Bleaching, perming, relaxers, and coloring can damage the hair cuticle and increase porosity.
- Heat Styling: Frequent use of heat tools (blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons) can weaken and damage the hair cuticle.
- Environmental Damage: Sun exposure, pollution, and hard water can contribute to cuticle damage and increased porosity.
How to Care for High Porosity Hair:
The goal is to seal the cuticle to retain moisture.
- Use Heavier Products: Look for leave-in conditioners, creams, and oils that are designed to coat the hair and prevent moisture loss.
- Oil Treatments: Incorporate oil treatments into your routine. Oils like coconut, avocado, or olive oil can help to fill in the gaps in the cuticle and seal in moisture.
- Deep Conditioning: Regular deep conditioning treatments, especially with heat, can help to hydrate and repair the hair.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Rinse: An ACV rinse can help to close the cuticle and balance the pH of your hair.
- Protein Treatments (Use with Caution): While high porosity hair often needs protein, too much can lead to dryness and breakage. Use protein treatments sparingly and pay attention to how your hair responds.
- Low Manipulation Styles: Minimize styling and handling to reduce friction and breakage. Protective styles can be beneficial.
- Avoid Heat: Limit or eliminate heat styling to prevent further damage to the cuticle. When using heat, always use a heat protectant.
- Satin or Silk: Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase or wrap your hair in a satin scarf to reduce friction and moisture loss overnight.
- Clarify Regularly: Use a clarifying shampoo periodically to remove buildup that can prevent moisture from penetrating the hair shaft.