Read on Twitter
We will be talking about hair porosity today. From the importance of knowing your porosity to how porosity determines which hair products or moisturising technique works for your hair. M
A lot of naturals obsess over hair type but
A lot of naturals obsess over hair type but
porosity is a major xtics that is overlooked. It’s the reason why Funke & Lizzy have the same hair type/curl pattern but their hairs behave differently; the reason a product worked for F and not L; the reason a hairstyle rocked by L flopped on F.
So, WHAT IS HAIR POROSITY?
So, WHAT IS HAIR POROSITY?
This is the ability of hair to absorb and hold water. Porosity is determined by cuticle structure.
HOW DO YOU TEST?
Testing for porosity is very simple.
•Floating test is the most popular. Pull out a few hair strands from different parts of your head, drop them in a
HOW DO YOU TEST?
Testing for porosity is very simple.
•Floating test is the most popular. Pull out a few hair strands from different parts of your head, drop them in a
bowl of water (make sure they are clean & devoid of products for an accurate result) and leave to stand for 3-5 minutes. You may notice your strands 1. strands floating (low porosity) 2. Partially submerged (medium porosity) 3. Sunken (high porosity)
•Slide test: take a strand between your fingers and slide from top to root. If you notice small bumps along the shaft=high porosity; smooth slide = low porosity.
•Spray bottle test: spritz some water on a section of your hair. If the water beads up on the section=low porosity
•Spray bottle test: spritz some water on a section of your hair. If the water beads up on the section=low porosity
(does your hair take forever to air dry? This is most likely you); if it absorbs quickly=high porosity(a lot of frizz? This you); a few beads before absorption=medium porosity.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Absorption is easy for high porosity hair because of gaps & holes in the cuticle
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Absorption is easy for high porosity hair because of gaps & holes in the cuticle
but these also make retention difficult. Low porosity hair because of its tightly wound cuticle makes absorption difficult (however, this helps to retain moisture IF it gets in).
Porosity is determined by genetics but overexposure to direct sunlight, some heat &
Porosity is determined by genetics but overexposure to direct sunlight, some heat &
chemical processes such as colouring, regular use of dry heat (blow drying, flat ironing, etc), texturizers, can alter it.
WHAT NOW?
Low porosity:
-use leave ins loaded w humectants (honey, glycerin) free of protein
-you want to use water based products to avoid massive build up
WHAT NOW?
Low porosity:
-use leave ins loaded w humectants (honey, glycerin) free of protein
-you want to use water based products to avoid massive build up
-moisture rich products eg: jojoba oil, Shea butter, coconut oil, etc
-deep penetrating hair mask as a deep conditioner
-apply conditioner to already wet hair
-steam hair often
Medium porosity:
-routine protein DCs
-protein-free leave ins
High porosity:
-deep penetrating hair mask as a deep conditioner
-apply conditioner to already wet hair
-steam hair often
Medium porosity:
-routine protein DCs
-protein-free leave ins
High porosity:
-anti-humectants eg: unprocessed shea butter, extra virgin olive oil, palm oil, etc.
-leave ins are your BFF & should be used generously through the day (oils like avocado are great for sealing & retention)
-conditioners loaded with butters & oils
-use heat protectants
-leave ins are your BFF & should be used generously through the day (oils like avocado are great for sealing & retention)
-conditioners loaded with butters & oils
-use heat protectants
before heat styling
-use lukewarm NOT hot water to wash hair
For your hair/beard products, natural hair & loc styling and maintenance, DM @thenym_ph @ManeNaturalsNG or call 08069682036
-use lukewarm NOT hot water to wash hair
For your hair/beard products, natural hair & loc styling and maintenance, DM @thenym_ph @ManeNaturalsNG or call 08069682036
