A Guide To Understanding How To Treat High Porosity Hair

Before we get into finding out what porosity our hair is, I think we need to understand what that term actually means. Porosity, in general, is the hair’s ability to absorb or retain moisture. Low porosity hair is moisture resistant because the cuticle layer is so tightly closed, while high porosity hair has a very open cuticle layer with more gaps.

To test your hair’s porosity at home, you’ll want to cleanse the build-up from your hair. Now fill a glass (or bowl) with normal water, drop a single strand of clean, dry hair into the glass of water, and see if it floats or sinks to the bottom. Low porosity hair will stay on top of the water. High porosity hair will sink to the bottom of the glass. If the hair hovers in the middle, you have medium or normal porosity which means it absorbs and retains water well.

How do you treat high porosity hair

You’ll want to have the right products and a few tips, which is why we’re sharing what you need to know to care for your high porosity hair.

1. Use a Hydrating Mask

A mask that nourishes your hair and replenishes moisture is the key to revitalizing your locks. Use a deep conditioning treatment at least once or twice a week to get rid of the excessive dryness. Because deep conditioners have a thicker, heavier concentration, they may also continue working for days after use, as they are formulated to penetrate the strand more deeply than surface-smoothing daily conditioners.

Products to Try:
• Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner. Shop Now on designessentials.com ($14).
• amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask. Shop Now on sephora.com ($30).
• Oribe Intense Conditioner For Moisture And Control. Shop Now on oribe.com ($49).
• Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Daily Damage Repair Ultra-Nourishing Hair Mask. Shop Now on carolsdaughter.com ($11.99).

2. Avoid Hot Tools

Highly porous hair is often damaged from heat or styling treatments, so you may want to consider using products that can protect your hair from further damage. Because the hair’s outer is so fragile, don’t subject it to too much wear and tear via over styling, brushing, and washing.

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3. Stick to Sealers

Sealers, also known as cream-based leave-ins, are great to use after deep conditioning as they add an additional barrier to assist with moisture retention on the hair as well as flattening the cuticle scales even tighter. We recommend using Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector ($28), one to three times a week, for maximum hydration, softness, and thriving ends.

4. Use Protein Treatments

Repair and strengthen your strands with a dose of protein. As high porosity hair is fragile and prone to breakage, incorporating protein will help to fortify it. Protein hair treatments repair your hair by attaching hydrolyzed proteins to the hair cuticle, which then hardens it and prevents further damage.

Products to Try:
• ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment Shop Now on walmart.com ($24.98).
• Redken Extreme CAT Anti-Damage Protein Reconstructing Rinse-Off Treatment. Shop Now on ulta.com ($27).
• L’Oréal Total ReparElvive Total Repair 5 Protein Recharge Treatment. Shop Now on ulta.com ($6.99).

5. Opt For Protective Hairstyles

Whether you’re trying to grow out your hair or prevent hair damage, protective hairstyles (box braids, bantu knots, three-strand braid) can help make all the difference in your mane’s overall health — especially for those with curly and coily hair.