Why Hair Porosity Matters- and how to determine Yours!

Are you having a hard time figuring out what is hair porosity is and its importance for caring for Natural Hair?  Overwhelmed with trying a bunch of products, only for them not to work the way you need it to?

Knowing about hair porosity helps us to use the right product for our natural hair. Once you know your hair porosity, you will better understand how your hair responds to certain natural hair products.  

WHAT IS HAIR POROSITY?

Hair porosity is how hair absorbs and retains moisture. There are three levels of hair porosity which include: low, medium or high. The cuticles on your hair, which is the outer shell, look like shingles on the side of a roof. Cuticles are like doors that open and close to absorb moisture and seal it in. They react differently when they encounter heat or cold water. Each level of hair porosity responds differently, and knowing what each one means and knowing your porosity type is the first step.   

How to test Hair Porosity?

Finding out your hair porosity is easy. Try one of these three ways:

• GLASS TEST- Add one or two strands of clean hair to a glass of water and wait a few minutes. Now check the results. If the hair strand is floating on the surface of the water it is low porosity. If the hair is sinking, it is high porosity, while if the hair strand lands in the middle then its medium porosity which is the best porosity.
• STRAND TEST- Take a strand of clean hair and gently slide your finger over the strand going from the tips to the roots. If you feel

bumps or roughness, it represents high porosity hair while the smooth texture of hair shows low hair porosity.

• SPRAY BOTTLE TEST- Spray water on a small section of your hair and observe if the water quickly absorbs in the hair. If it absorbs in the hair quickly it is high porosity. If the water sits on top of the hair and takes a while to dry, it is low porosity.

Knowing your hair porosity is different from knowing your hair type (1A-4C). Porosity and hair type differ for everyone, for example, your hair type can be 4C and low porosity or high porosity.

TYPES OF HAIR POROSITY

Low Porosity Hair:

Low porosity hair has tightly packed hair cuticles that make it difficult to deeply penetrate moisture into the hair shaft. This type of hair can’t absorb water or any product and thus remains dehydrated and dull.

Low hair porosity doesn’t allow the hair to absorb water or any other product so the moisture or product will sit on top of the hair, and won’t dry quickly. Low porosity makes hair dry and dull because moisture can’t penetrate cuticles.

High Porosity Hair:

High porosity hair requires special nourishment. This type of hair has gaps and openings in the cuticle that can’t hold hydration. High porosity hair becomes dry right after the hair is washed.  High Porosity hair can easily be damaged due to lack of care, or excessive use of heat styling.  

High porosity hair can absorb water but cannot hold it because it is porous and that makes the hair dry, frizzy, and brittle. As a result, split ends can occur.

HOW TO CARE FOR LOW POROSITY HAIR

If your hair has low porosity then skip the heavy products like butters, creams, and thick oils. Heavy ingredients like Coconut Oil, Castor oil, and Shea Butter. These heavy ingredients can seal the cuticles and prevent moisture from penetrating the hair shaft. Low porosity hair requires lightweight products that can easily go deeper into the hair. Always choose water-based hair care products, clarifying shampoo, and include a natural humectant like Aloe Vera.

STEAM TREATMENTS

Steam treatments are great for low porosity hair as it will lift the cuticles and allow products and moisture to penetrate. After using the Jill & Jackfruit Hydrating Shampoo, which gives the right amount of clarifying without stripping hair of normal oils, use a moisturizing conditioner like the Jill & Jackfruit Moisturizing Conditioner with your steam treatments. Our conditioner is loaded with vitamins and moisturizing ingredients like Guava, Sea Moss, Aloe Vera Juice, Avocado Oil and of course Jackfruit (excellent for dry and brittle hair)!

SEAL WITH MOISTURE

Adding a layer of moisture after shampoo and conditioning the hair is the best way to seal in moisture. Try our Sea Moss & Papaya Leave-In Hair Yogurt that’s formulated to give strands intense moisture once applied.

Low Porosity Hair Should:

• Use lightweight products
• Use steam treatments
• Use heat when deep conditioning
• Avoid Silicone products
• Treat and prevent product buildup
• Avoid heavy products like creams, butters, and heavy thick oils

HOW TO CARE FOR HIGH POROSITY HAIR

For high porosity hair, including products that can help to protect the cuticle and seal in the moisture. Oil-based products like coconut oil, jojoba oil, or avocado are best for high-porosity hair. Try our Mango, Cocoa, & Murumuru Butter Hair Milk that’s formulated to give intense moisture and soften hair instantly. You can also go for protein treatment for nourishment and avoid breakage. Sulfates are the enemy of high porosity hair as it wipes out all the natural moisture and sebum from the scalp and makes hair strands brittle. Choose a shampoo that is sulfate and paraben free like our Jill & Jackfruit Hydrating Shampoo.

High Porosity Hair Should:

• Only use low heat and stay away from direct high heat styling tools
• Use thick creams, and butters
• Use a pre-poo treatment before shampooing
• Do co-washing in between shampoo days for added moisture
• Don’t skip the deep conditioner
• Moisturize and seal to lock in moisture. Use an oil-based product to lock in a water-based product.
• Add a protein treatment to fill in the gaps in hair to promote moisture retention
• Use Apple Cider Vinegar treatment will close the porous cuticles, preventing moisture loss

At LushUs Kids you’ll find products that can work like magic for afro-textured hair and manage the hair porosity.

The best thing about is that our products are paraben and sulfate-free hair care products with no fillers, additives, no artificial oils, and perform no animal testing. We have a wide variety of hair care products and hair care accessories that are used for scalp treatment, hair strengthening, hair restoration, adding volume, retaining moisture, detangling the strands, and providing plant-based hair care solutions.