Keeping your hair moisturized is a challenge, especially if you don’t know your hair porosity. What is hair porosity, you ask? Basically, it's your hair’s ability to take in and retain moisture (i.e water). Your hair cuticle, which is the external layer of the hair’s surface, often determines your hair porosity. Show According to StyleSeat stylist and natural-hair expert Kamara Brown, hair porosity comes in three categories:
"Understanding your hair porosity is vital when it comes to your haircare needs. Our hair strands are so delicate," Kamara tells us. "Porosity is very important when we look at the overall feel and appearance of our hair. The more we know, the better chances we have in preventing damage to our beautiful crown while keeping more money in our pockets to prevent from becoming a product junkie." How can I test my hair porosity?Recognizing the characteristics of low porosity hair can be challenging when styling hair. Between blow drying, microfiber towels and other hair-drying tools, it can be hard to notice how hair naturally interacts with water. According to StyleSeat stylist Erinn Courtney, even though she doesn't think it's necessary before receiving a haircare service, you can test for hair porosity at home. She recommends that to test hair porosity, you should take a cup of water and put one hair strand in it. In two to four minutes, check the strand — if it is floating, it indicates low porosity. If it sinks, that indicates high porosity. Somewhere in the middle? You probably have medium porosity. What are the characteristics of low porosity hair?Erinn explains that two of the key elements of low porosity hair have to do with how long it takes to dry and the build-up that can accumulate as a result of your products not being fully absorbed. "The hair may be farther on either side of a spectrum of too oily or too dry," she says. "Conditioners and leave-ins may not work properly because they pass through the hair without remaining on the strand and could be too heavy." For textured strands, the challenge of keeping low porosity hair moisturized has to do with the hair naturally being dryer. Erinn says that the natural oils from the scalp have a harder time traveling down curls, making textured strands naturally dryer in comparison to straighter textures. How to care for low porosity hairAccording to Erinn, a misconception about low porosity hair is that it has "fewer cuticles, therefore making it smoother and harder to damage." But the reality is, low porosity hair is easier to care for and requires less maintenance. The difference lies in the routine. Hair porosity routines vary by texture. The greatest challenge for curly, kinky, and coily hair is that low porosity can lead to a feeling of brittleness and dryness. Straighter strands, however, are naturally oiler than textured hair, which means that the frequency of washing and the density of products needed are different. That said, both hair types need a moisture-focused routine and products that can penetrate the hair shaft without feeling heavy. These five steps from experts can transform your routine.
Katherine Tinsley is a pop culture and beauty-obsessed journalist who has worked with Live the Process, The Knockturnal and Dreamlette covering all things beauty, culture and lifestyle. Her work has allowed her to merge all of these interests into her writing and interview style. This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. How do you keep low porosity 4c hair moisturized?6 Tips For Moisturizing Your Low Porosity Hair. Use a pre-poo treatment. A pre-poo treatment simply means a pre-shampoo. ... . Use heat when deep conditioning. ... . Use light products that penetrate easily. ... . Use water-based styling products. ... . Use the greenhouse approach. ... . Make satin your best friend.. How often should you oil 4c low porosity hair?How often should you moisturize your low porosity hair. If you've ever asked the question, how often should you moisturize your low porosity hair, this part is for you. The answer: whenever your hair feels dry. If you've done the above correctly, your hair should remain moisturized for at least 4-7 days.
What oil is best for low porosity 4c hair?Jojoba oil is the best oil for your natural low porosity hair, as it makes your hair shiny and healthy. Olive oil is fabulous for your scalp and works very well on dry and thick hair.
What Should low porosity hair avoid?How can I avoid damaging low porosity hair?. Using heavy oils or butters can accumulate quickly and cause buildup.. Applying too much product or thick, cream-based products cause buildup.. Not washing your hair enough can cause your hair to feel weighed down and dry.. |