There is so much to love about high porosity hair–it drinks up products easily and gets wet within a few minutes of being in the shower. Plus it doesn’t take forever to dry. However, the frizz and dryness that comes not too long after styling your hair can be pretty frustrating to deal with. If you have high porosity hair this inability to retain moisture is probably one of the biggest issues you struggle with.
The good news is there are some pretty helpful tricks you can use to manage your curls and keep them moisturised for longer, and we’re here to spill the beans. In this article, we’ll be covering all you need to know about keeping your highly porous strands moisturised and happy.
What Is High Porosity Hair?
High porosity hair is hair that has open or lifted cuticles, allowing easy penetration of moisture and hair products into your strands. However, the major downside of having open cuticles is that moisture escapes out of your hair just as quickly as it can be absorbed. This results in hair that is often dry, frizzy and rough even after it has been moisturised.
Signs Of High Porosity Hair
● Absorbs product quickly: The easiest way to determine your hair porosity is to pay attention to how your hair absorbs your products. If it seems like your hair drinks up your moisturiser and curling creams pretty quickly, then your strands are likely high in porosity.
● It easily soaks up moisture: High porosity hair tends to soak up moisture very quickly because of its open cuticles so if you notice your hair gets wet not too long after you step into the shower, then it is most likely high in porosity.
● Prone to frizz and dryness: If your hair gets dry and frizzy not too long after styling and moisturising it then there is a pretty good chance your highly porous cuticles are the reason behind it.
Is High Porosity Hair Healthy?
It is definitely possible for your hair to be high in porosity and still remain healthy as long as you take steps to ensure it gets adequate moisture. Most people often assume that having high porosity is a sign of damage. While there is some truth to this, many people also naturally have high porosity hair and have never done anything to damage their hair. So having porosity hair does not automatically mean your hair is damaged or unhealthy.
How To Keep High Porosity Hair Moisturised
Use A Moisturising Shampoo
If you have high porosity hair that is already prone to dryness, the last thing you need is a harsh shampoo that will strip your hair and leave it feeling dry. Instead, opt for gentle shampoos like our Hydration Shampoo that will infuse your hair with moisture while you cleanse.
Layers Your Hair Products
If you have high-porosity hair, product layering is going to be one of your secret weapons for fighting off dryness and frizz. What do mean by layering? Well, it simply means using moisturisers and styling products on top of each other to add an extra barrier of protection and help reduce moisture loss from your hair.
The LOC ( liquid-oil-cream) method is a great way to do this. Start with a moisturiser like our Manuka Honey leave-in Conditioner, then follow up with our Hair & Scalp Oil before finishing off with either our Coconut & Jamaican Black Castor Oil Curling Cream, Curl Elongating Gel, or Twist & Braid Gel to define and set your curls. With these three layers of product, it will be virtually impossible for moisture to escape from your hair.
Lock In Moisture With Oil
Sealing moisture into your hair is one of the most effective ways to keep your high porosity hair moisturised for longer and prevent dryness. The best way to do this is to use a nourishing oil like Sofnfree's Hair & Scalp Oil that will create a protective barrier around your strands and keep the moisture from evaporating. However, you need to make sure the hair is properly moisturised with our Manuka Honey Leave-in Conditioner first before locking the moisture in with the oil. All you need is a few drops of the oil to get the job done so try not to go overboard to keep your hair from being too greasy.
Deep Condition Regularly
Deep conditioners like our Manuka Honey & Avocado Oil Deep Conditioning Mask infuse your hair with long-lasting moisture by providing intense hydration that penetrates deep into your cuticles so they are extremely helpful for keeping high porosity hair moisturised. To keep your hair happy and healthy, you need to deep condition it at least once a week or twice a month.
Opt For Thick Moisturisers And Stylers
Rich and thick moisturisers and stylers like our Manuka Honey Leave-in Conditioner, Coconut Oil Curling Creme, and Twist & Braid Gel tend to last longer on the hair because of their texture. So incorporating them into your routine is one of the best ways to fight off dryness and retain moisture in your hair.
Dial Down The Heat Styling
Excessive heat styling can weaken the cuticles and make your hair more prone to dryness. Combined with your high porosity hair, that is a recipe for super brittle and dry hair. So if you want to keep your hair moisturised and healthy, it is best to avoid heat styling as much as you can. If you can not completely avoid using heat in your routine, then try to do it only once every few months. Additionally, always use a heat protectant before heat styling your hair.
Try A Protein Treatment
If you suspect your highly porous strands are a result of some damage, then consider a protein treatment. This will help to fill in any cracks and damages along your cuticle, reducing the porosity of your hair and making it easier for your hair to retain moisture.
Consider Wearing Protective Styles
When your hair is loose and exposed to the elements, it will lose moisture very quickly. So opting for protective styles is a great way to keep moisture in your hair for longer since your strands will be fully tucked in. There are many options to choose from when it comes to protective styles so feel free to get creative. Some great options include two-strand twists, braids, flat twists, and cornrows. Whichever style you choose be sure to use our Twist & Braid Gel while styling to keep it sleek, neat and shiny.
Avoid Overprocessing Your Hair
Things like dye, bleach, or texturisers that chemically process your hair in some way or the other can make it very difficult for your high porosity hair to stay moisturised because they lift your cuticles and make them even more porous than usual. This leaves you exposed to extreme dryness, frizz, and possibly even breakage so it is best to avoid them as best as you can. If you do decide to chemically process your hair, make it a rare occurrence in your routine that happens only once a year.
As long as you know how to infuse your hair with moisture and seal that moisture into your cuticles, high porosity hair is actually not that difficult to manage and keep healthy. The tips we discussed in this article will help you do just that so be sure to follow them diligently. You’ll be saying goodbye to frizzy, dry hair in no time.