HOW TO DETERMINE WHAT POROSITY YOUR HAIR IS?

WHAT DOES POROSITY MEAN?

Hair porosity simply refers to your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture, and here are three ways to determine where yours falls on the porosity spectrum: low, normal or high.

Normal or medium porosity requires the least amount of maintenance because the cuticle can be raised easier than with low porosity but it is not damaged or chipped so moisture penetrates easily in the hair shaft. High porosity is the most porous

In other words, understanding the porosity of your hair is the first step in managing your specific curl type with the proper product regimen. 

THE STRAND TEST

Gently stretch a tiny section of curl strands from different areas of your head – front hairline, nape, crown, and temple. Place the stretched curl between your thumb and finger and slide it up the hair strand from the tip towards the scalp. If your fingers move easily up the strand and it feels dense and hard, you have low porosity hair. If it feels smooth, you have normal porosity hair. And if the strand feels rough or dry or it breaks, you have high porosity hair.

THE SHEDDING HAIR TEST

Another way to check your hair porosity is to drop hair that’s been shed as a result of combing into a glass of water. If it floats, your hair is low porosity. If your hair sinks slowly, it has normal porosity, and if it sinks immediately, your hair is high porosity.

Characteristics of Low Porosity Curly Hair

• Curls take a long time to dry.
• Products tend to build up on curls rather than absorb.
• Natural oils don’t readily penetrate, but rather sit on your hair.
• Curls take much longer to get fully saturated when you wet them.

Characteristics of Normal Porosity Curly Hair

• Curls are full of bounce and elasticity.
• Requires very little maintenance.
• Easily accepts and retains moisture inside the cuticle.
• Holds styles well and can be colored with good results.

Characteristics of High Porosity Curly Hair

• Curls easily absorb water, however, it requires more products.
• Curls often look and feel dry.
• Curls are often frizzy.
• Curls dry quickly.

HOW TO CARE FOR LOW POROSITY HAIR?

Low porosity hair has very compact cuticles, so it’s hard to inject moisture into the hair shaft, although it does retain moisture once it absorbs. To raise the cuticle, follow these tips:

• Use heat, steamer or even a warm towel or shower cap, to help products better absorb and bind with the hair better. Suggested Products to use for deep conditioning ORS SHEALICIOUS MOISTURE LOCK CONDITIONER, CREME OF NATURE PURE HONEY HAIR MASK.

• Always distribute products evenly throughout your hair making sure not to put too much on usually its best to use two products max to prevent build up on your strands. Suggested products GRO HEALTHY SHEA & COCONUT LEAVE IN CONDITIONER 237ML (8OZ), GRO HEALTHY SHEA & COCONUT CURLING CUSTARD 246ML (8.8OZ)

• Apply products to damp, not drenched hair. You can use NNH HAIR TOOLS MIST A SPRAY BOTTLE

• Use sulfate-free shampoo and rinses such as apple cider vinegar to rid your hair of product build-up.

HOW TO CARE FOR HIGH POROSITY HAIR?

Parched, thirsty hair needs products that help it retain as much moisture as possible, so follow these tips to increase hydration:
• Use minimal heat. It’s best to air-dry your hair, if possible.
• Incorporate regular deep conditioning treatments into your curl care routine. Use ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ANTI-BREAKAGE & REPAIR ANTIDOTE HAIR MASK, and finish with SHEAMOISTURE JAMAICAN BLACK CASTOR OIL STRENGHTEN, GROW & RESTORE LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER to begin to repair porosity.

• Rinse with cold water to seal the cuticle and prevent frizz.

• Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb to prevent hair loss and reduce hair breakage.

HOW TO CARE FOR NORMAL POROSITY HAIR?

Normal porosity hair has compact cuticles that easily let moisture enter in.

• Do regular deep conditioning treatments to maintain good product absorption.

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