Porosity and Natural Hair

1BlessedNatural: Porosity and Natural Hair

Hey, my blessed naturals,
I hope you all are having a great Wednesday. Today, I wanted to discuss hair porosity and natural hair because identifying your hair porosity can help you find the right hair products and regimens for your hair.

1BlessedNatural's Hair Porosity Chart

What is hair porosity?

Hair porosity refers to your hair's ability to draw in and reserve moisture. Your hair can be one of the following hair porosity types: low, normal, and high.

Low porosity means that the cuticle layers of your hair shaft are densely packed together. As a result, your hair retains moisture for a longer period of time. However, you will have to use products and/or techniques that lift the hair cuticle to allow moisture to penetrate. For example, after applying my conditioner, I use a heating cap to lift my hair cuticles to allow moisture to get through.

Normal porosity hair means that your hair cuticles overlap, but they are open enough to allow moisture to enter and exit your hair in a balanced way.

High porosity means that the cuticle layer of your hair shaft is open and is often chipped. As a result your hair absorbs and loses moisture easily. High porosity hair is usually the result of chemical processes like perms and coloring, heat damage, or heavy manipulation. The hair is usually dry.

1BlessedNatural: Here is my hair porosity test. My hair floated on top of the water.

As a result, it has low porosity.

How can I do a hair porosity test?

Items needed:

1. small container filled with water

2. strands of hair- (check your comb or brush)

Steps:

1. Put your hair in a bowl of water.

Results:

If your hair sinks to the bottom of the bowl, you have high porosity. If it floats on the top, you have low porosity.

High Porosity Hair Solutions

1. Trim-If you have split ends and or badly damaged hair, I would suggest trimming the hair off. Trichologist and salon owner, Dr. Kari Williams said that you may be able to find temporary solutions for hair damage, but you will need to cut it off, and I agree with her.

2. Close and smooth- You can use acidic products like ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) rinses to smooth the hair cuticle. You can use cold water to rinse out your conditioner and ACV to close your cuticle.

3. Thicker products- Try using hair butters like shea butter and oils. Heavy oils like castor oil can help seal in moisture well.

4. Add protein- Protein treatments can be done to fill in any area of the hair cuticle that may be chipped. You can try homemade protein treatments or store bought ones. Be sure to pay attention to how your hair responds after one protein treatment to avoid protein overload.

Do you have normal, low, or high hair porosity?

Further Reading: What is Porosity? by Dr. Kari Williams

5 Ways to Moisturize Natural Hair

My Curl Type Profile

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