Low, high or medium? What is your hair porosity? If you still don’t know, check it as soon as possible. You must identify your hair porosity to choose a suitable oil.
This is the only way to take care of your scalp. See it for yourself!
LOW POROSITY HAIR
The most beautiful hair type that each of us dreams of. Low porosity hair is shiny, smooth, well-moisturised and elastic as well as non-frizzy and non-static. Low porosity strands don’t lose moisture and don’t absorb it from the air. You blow-dry your hair and look like you left the best hair salon. You run your fingers up the hair and you’re ready for the night-out.
What is more, low porosity hair doesn’t tangle. Brushing takes up a moment. On the other hand, this hair type is hard to style. Be careful not to weigh it down with masks, conditioners and silks.
Moreover, remember to cleanse this hair type regularly. Obviously, removing silicones and other thick formulas is time-consuming. Why? Low porosity hair has closed cuticles which won’t let in any substances and water. Sometimes, you must wash your hair twice if you want to cleanse such strands.
HIGH POROSITY HAIR
Regrettably, this hair type is the worst. Damaged, dry and weak. Hair ends get split easily, strands are brittle, dull and stiff. Bleaching, straightening, colouring and permanent wave weaken the condition of high porosity hair even more. On the other hand, it is easy to style this type of hair. Unfortunately, heat – produced by styling tools – damages hair structure and speeds up the evaporation of water and keratin. It is caused by highly raised cuticles.
When you apply some products to high porosity hair, they are very quickly absorbed. This hair type also easily absorbs moisture from the air. Consequently, it gets even more frizzy and static. Hair gets tangled because of raised cuticles. Use a moisturising conditioner every time you wash your high porosity strands. Otherwise, they will be dry and rough.
Emollients (oils and silicones) are the most effective in high porosity haircare. Regular conditioning and wet hair oiling will also come in useful. You should avoid high temperature, UV rays, wind, salty and chlorinated water, quick and harsh combing. Give up on products that include herbs, proteins, alcohol, humectants and paraffin wax. You shouldn’t use thin hair ties. If your hair is high porosity, avoid using metal clips and rough towels.
MEDIUM POROSITY HAIR
This type of hair combines the qualities of low and high porosity. You can condition medium porosity hair so that it becomes smooth and shiny. You can also increase its porosity through regular colouring, blow-drying, straightening and using improper products. Medium porosity strands are usually wavy or straight. Moist air makes them frizzy quickly (as in case of high porosity) but they are more prone to styling than low porosity hair.
When you condition medium porosity hair, use oils that contain omega-3, omega-6 or omega-9 acids. Use SLS shampoos only from time to time; tepid water for hair wash; conditioners with silicones, proteins and emollients. Masks and cosmetic butter will be useful as well.
Give up crimping, blow-drying and straightening. If you can’t do without a dryer, use the one that has a cold airflow and ionisation. Brush this hair type only after applying a conditioner or right after hair wash. Hide your strands under the hat in winter and apply some silk to hair ends for protection. Make sure your hair is dry before going to sleep and put it in a bun or make a braid. Trim hair tips every two months. In this way, you will enjoy a beautiful and healthy hairstyle.
OILS AND HAIR POROSITY
Every hair type should be nurtured with a suitable oil type. Coconut oil, palm oil, flaxseed oil, castor oil, sunflower and shea butter are the best for low porosity hair. Argan oil, macadamia oil, jojoba oil, sesame oil, rice bran oil and sweet almond oil can be applied to medium porosity hair. Soya oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, pumpkin seed oil, peach oil, avocado oil and flaxseed oil work for high porosity hair.
HOW TO DETERMINE HAIR POROSITY?
It’s very simple! All you need to do is answer a few questions. Do it now and find out which oil is suitable for your hairdo. Let’s start testing!
1. How long does it take your hair to dry?
Solution: High porosity hair dries very slowly, medium porosity – more or less 3 hours, low porosity – up to 2 hours.
2. Is it easy to wet your hair?
Solution: High porosity – very easy, low porosity – just the opposite. Medium porosity hair absorbs water quite easily.
3. Is your hair easy to style?
Solution: High and medium porosity hair is prone to styling. Low porosity hair is hard to style.
4. Is your hair soft and smooth to the touch?
Solution: If it is, you have low porosity hair. High porosity hair is coarse and rough whereas in case of medium porosity, some strands are smooth, others are rough.
5. Does your hair get frizzy and static easily?
Solution: Low porosity hair is never frizzy or static. Medium porosity hair looks this way in some situations (e.g. when air is very humid). High porosity hair is non-stop frizzy and static.
6. What do your hair ends look like?
Solution: High porosity hair has split ends, low porosity – healthy ends. If medium porosity hair receives improper care, its hair ends can get split.
7. Do you colour, blow-dry and heat style you hair?
Solution: If you do, your hair is high porosity. Low porosity hair is rarely dyed or blow-dried.