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Does your hair tend to lose moisture quickly? Do you struggle with dryness, frizz, or breakage? If so, you may have high-porosity hair, and understanding the unique characteristics of your strands is essential to crafting an effective regimen. Whether it's selecting the right products or adopting proper styling techniques, mastering the nuances of high-porosity hair can transform the health and vitality of your locks.
Meet the expert
- Jamila Powell is the founder of Naturally Drenched.
- Robin Groover is the chief hair officer at MYAVANA.
Below, we asked two experts to delve into some essential care tips tailored specifically to high-porosity hair types. Read on to find out how these methods can help you nurture and enhance your hair.
Characteristics of High-Porosity Hair
High-porosity hair is characterized by a cuticle layer that is more open or raised than usual, allowing moisture to enter and exit the hair shaft easily. “Common characteristics of high-porosity hair include rapid absorption of water when wet, quick drying time, and a tendency to become dry and brittle due to moisture loss,” says Powell. “High-porosity hair may be prone to frizz, tangles, and breakage. Additionally, this type of hair tends to absorb hair products quickly, which can lead to buildup and weigh the hair down.”
What Makes High-Porosity Hair Different
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.
“Imagine a sponge with large holes. All the water leaks out of the large holes. Small holes retain the water — that is normal porosity. Minimum penetration and resistance is low porosity. The strand cannot receive anything on the inside, which leaves the hair malnourished or heavy from products sitting on top of the strands,” says Groover.
How High-Porosity Hair Responds to Hair-Care Products
High-porosity hair often responds differently to hair-care products and treatments due to its unique characteristics. “Generally, high-porosity hair tends to absorb products quickly but may struggle to retain moisture, leading to potential issues such as dryness, frizz, and breakage,” says Powell. “It's essential for individuals with high-porosity hair to choose products and treatments specifically designed to address their needs.”
According to our experts, moisturizing and hydrating products are crucial for managing high-porosity hair. “Deep-conditioning masks, leave-in conditioners, and lightweight hair oils can help maintain moisture and nourish the hair, reducing dryness and brittleness,” says Powell.
Protein treatments are also beneficial for high-porosity hair, as they help strengthen the hair shaft and repair damage caused by raised cuticles. However, our experts add that it's important to strike a balance between moisture and protein, as excessive protein can lead to stiffness and brittleness.
The Main Challenges for High-Porosity Hair
Individuals with high-porosity hair encounter several challenges when striving to maintain hair health. First and foremost, moisture retention is a significant problem. Another challenge lies in product absorption and buildup. High-porosity hair swiftly absorbs hair products — which, if not managed effectively, can accumulate and weigh the hair down. This buildup not only diminishes hair volume, but also contributes to scalp issues like irritation and flakiness.
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.
The Essential Care Tips for High-Porosity Hair
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. “Look for products that offer intense hydration and nourishment.” Groover adds that steam therapy is another way to create moisture miracles so that products are able to connect to the strands.
If you have high-porosity hair, you should aim to deep-condition your hair regularly to maintain optimal hydration and nourishment. Groover says that you should always saturate the product evenly root-to-tip and hydrate under steam for 15 minutes. Following both these steps helps replenish moisture lost due to the hair's raised cuticle structure, which allows moisture to escape more easily.
It's also essential to protect high-porosity hair from heat-styling tools and harsh environmental factors that can further damage the hair cuticle, our stylists explain. “Limit the use of heat styling tools, and always use a heat protectant spray before styling. Additionally, using a silk or satin pillowcase can help minimize friction and breakage while sleeping,” says Groover.
Other Things to Consider
If you have high-porosity hair, it’s important to take lifestyle factors and environmental elements into account in order to maintain its health and hydration. “Firstly, exposure to harsh weather conditions such as sun, wind, and humidity can exacerbate dryness and damage to high-porosity hair. Therefore, protecting the hair from these elements by wearing hats or scarves can help minimize moisture loss and prevent further damage,” says Powell.
When caring for high-porosity hair, make sure the scalp and hair are free from product buildup. Additionally, skipping regular haircuts can lead to split ends and breakage, so maintaining a consistent schedule is important for preserving the health of high-porosity hair. Lastly, overloading the hair with heavy products can lead to buildup and stiffness, so it's essential to strike a balance between moisture and protein to keep the hair hydrated and flexible.