How to Take Care of High Porosity Hair

Have you ever wondered why your hair soaks up water easily? That’s because it has a high porosity. And most times, washing your hair can be a breeze because it takes you half the time it takes others. If that’s the case with your hair, let’s take a look at what high porosity hair means. 

What is High Porosity Hair?

Hair porosity describes how easily your hair absorbs water, which is affected by how your cuticles lay atop one another. High porosity hair is when your cuticles are sparse rather than dense and allows your hair to absorb water easily. 

How to Take Care of High-Porosity Hair

Taking care of your high-porosity hair involves reducing the damage done to your cuticles. You also want to help your hair retain its moisture by observing the following care routines. 

Yes, Your Strands Need Protection

You have high porosity hair, which makes your hair fragile enough. Do not worsen its condition by styling, washing, and brushing it excessively. This will make your hair vulnerable to hair loss and damage. However, adequately moisturize your hair with products that will protect your cuticles. Using products like Marc Anthony Grow Long Anti-Breakage Hair Mask will give you healthy, supple, and shiny hair. 

How About Air Drying… Or Low Heat?

Air drying looks like something your hair can do. Your high porosity hair absorbs moisture very quickly, and air dries easily too. So, rather than risk having breakages, allow your hair to air dry. If you prefer to use heat, ensure that it is low heat, and please, use a diffuser. A diffuser disperses the heat and doesn’t let it concentrate on any area of your hair. 

Also, don’t use hot water to wash your hair because it will cause your hair cuticles to lift further. We advise you to use lukewarm water when washing your hair to prevent further damage. 

Harsh Treatments and Hot Tools? Skip 

You might want to skip harsh treatment methods and hot tools because they will cause damage to your hair follicles. Hair porosity is mainly genetic, but it can still be acquired when using too many hot tools. These include hot irons, flat irons, blow dryers, and other harsh treatments like chemical relaxers. These methods will “steal” the moisture from your hair, lift your cuticles,  and leave your hair more porous. Your hair becomes prone to breakage and dryness. 

Stick to Creamy Products

One of the challenges that your high-porosity hair will have is the inability to retain moisture. And this can cause your outer hair layer to remain fragile and unprotected. To avoid damage, stick to creamy and dense products rich in nutrients. A product like L’Oreal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo for Damaged Hair seals in moisture for extended periods and enhances good hair growth. 

Use Colour-Protecting Products

Another way to care for your high-porosity hair is to use shampoos and conditioners that protect the color of your hair. For instance, dying your hair can be a struggle because color pigments from dyes fall off your hair. To maintain your hair color and ensure that dyes are set in your hair. A good example is Sun Bum Revitalizing 3-in-1 Leave-In Hair Conditioner Spray.

Practice the Rule of ‘No-Stress’ Styling 

Your high porosity hair is not exactly the best to style because your ponytail or bun would crumble down in a short time. When you style your hair, ensure that you don’t go all out. Practice the rule of ‘no-stress’ styling to save you the headache of spending extra time on your hair. 

While it is sad that your highly porous hair does not hold styles for far too long, there’s an upside. You can use styling products with higher holds for any occasion that requires hair styling. The HSI Professional Argan Oil Heat Protector is an excellent styling product. 

Characteristics of High Porosity Hair

The following are some of the characteristics you might experience with your high-porosity hair. 

  • Your hair feels and looks dry 
  • It tangles and breaks off easily
  • Air dries quickly 
  • Absorbs moisture easily 
  • Looks frizzy 
  • It doesn’t look shiny 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions you might have about high porosity hair. 

How Do I Know If I Have High Porosity Hair? 

There are three different methods you can use to ascertain if you have high porosity hair. We advise that you use a combination of two methods for clarity. 

  1. Sink/Float Test           

What you’ll require for this test is a strand of your hair and a glass of water that’s at room temperature.

  • Place the strand of hair on the glass of water. 
  • If the strand sinks immediately, you have high porosity hair because this hair type does not resist moisture. 
  1. Spray Bottle Test

You need to put some water into a spray bottle and spritz a small amount on your hair. Watch your hair for the following reaction. 

  • If your hair absorbs the water immediately, you have highly porous hair. 
  1. Slide Test

You are required to feel the strands of your hair for this test. Place several strands between your thumb and forefinger and slide upwards, away from your scalp. Repeat this method with strands from your nape, crown, and temple regions. You have high porosity hair if your strands feel bumpy when you slide through. 

Finally…

Having high porosity hair allows your hair to get nutrients from water and other hair products. But that can also be an issue. However, since we’ve provided you with a care routine, do well to care for your hair correctly. For natural hair care, please, check out this article. If you have any questions or further recommendations on caring for high-porosity hair, let us know in the comment box. 

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