Porosity is one of the main characteristics we consider when choosing hair care products. This term describes the arrangement of hair cuticles, the spacing between them, and their tendency to recede, which contributes to moisture loss. The basic classification is based on high, medium, and low porosity. So, if you're interested in characterizing your hair and finding the perfect products to keep it soft, smooth, and shiny, this article is for you. It's generally accepted that the more damaged it is, the higher the porosity, making it easier to recognize. Mixed porosity is also common, for example, hair with medium porosity at the lengths and high porosity at the slightly neglected ends.
Low porosity hair
They are considered the healthiest and easiest to care for. The scales on the surface are tightly arranged, overlapping like "roof tiles." Once dissolved, they resemble a smooth sheet of glass. There are few gaps between them. It's much harder to damage their condition and they tolerate hairdresser treatments better. They stand out for their beautiful shine and smoothness, although their owners may often complain about a lack of volume. They are very easy to weigh down. They often quickly return to their natural state after using a curling iron or other styling tools. They rarely frizz, except when using the wrong product. They have very poor protein tolerance, which contributes to the protein overload effect, which manifests itself as dryness and dullness. Therefore, they should be used sparingly and with extreme caution, accompanied by moisturizers and a little oil. Coconut oil works exceptionally well for this type of porosity. However, if after a few applications your hair looks unsightly and lacks shine, it's worth considering a replacement. Silicones can often build up on the surface of your hair, so if you have healthy, low porosity hair, remember to use a stronger shampoo with SLS or SLES from time to time to restore body and bounce.
High porosity hair
This is the complete opposite of low porosity. Their main characteristic is highly open hair cuticles, which make them very easy to damage. People with this type of hair are usually, though not always, those with curly or wavy hair. Because of this characteristic, it gets wet very easily, but it also loses moisture quickly, making it more difficult to maintain. Therefore, such hair is often naturally dull, dry, and lacks softness. Another important symptom is frizz, which in this case can be very severe, especially when humidity becomes high. It can easily lead to split ends or breakage. They respond very well to treatments based on higher proteins, which give them a beautiful appearance; pure silk treatments are a good example. A lamination treatment based on food-grade gelatin has recently gained popularity among those with high porosity hair – and for good reason. A growing number of ready-made products of this type are also appearing on store shelves. High-porosity hair responds better to rich, thick cosmetics, masks, and silicones, which are excellent for protecting it from excessive dryness. These are your allies in the fight for beautiful hair. They are also susceptible to styling, updos, and coloring, but you should treat them with extreme gentleness, as their damaged outer layer can damage them more quickly. It's also easier to achieve beautiful volume and is harder to weigh down with conditioning or fixing products. They dry much faster than those of low-porosity hair, and mono- and polyunsaturated oils are best for oiling.
Medium porosity hair
This is often hair whose porosity has been increased by chemical treatments, heat styling, and inadequate care. These strands can be healthy, with only minor damage. It can also be naturally a combination of two extreme porosity types along their entire length, making caring for them exceptionally difficult. Those with natural waves often classify their hair as medium porosity. However, if you've recently straightened or curled it too often, or opted for aggressive styling, you may notice increased dullness, lack of smoothness, and poorer manageability. This could indicate increased porosity. In this case, however, this isn't a major problem, as proper care will help restore your hair's beautiful appearance. First, you need to determine whether the silicones in your daily shampoos and conditioners are beneficial to you. Therefore, it's a good idea to conduct a quick test to see if your hair looks better after using natural care. However, if they're frizzy, unruly, and dull, you should stick with them, but look for more nourishing and moisturizing products. Oils and all sorts of by-products can be indispensable: aloe vera juice, honey, and flaxseed.
Paulina Czuchaj has been running alteregoblog.pl for four years. Outside of online activities, she spends her time studying, reading, and strength training. She's a fan of long hair, natural skincare, and bold lips.
