High porosity strands, just like low porosity strands, tend to fall on the far extreme of “average” porosity strands. A few issues that many face when dealing with high porosity strands are not being able to hold on to moisture, overly fast drying strands, and hair that swells quickly which can mess up elasticity overtime.
We know from experience that if you have high porosity strands there have probably been many wash days and product try outs that may make you want to just want to throw in the towel because your hair never seem to feel moisturized.
Well hold on to those towel girls, because below we share with you 4 must haves and must dos that can have your hair do a complete 360! Wanna know more? Keep reading to find out!
1. Protein Treatments
If I had to pick one product that can be beneficial to ladies with high porosity hair, I would have to say it would be a great protein treatment.
Protein is uber important for high porosity strands, whether you have fine or coarse hair strands. Protein treatments, especially those that contains hydrolyzed collagen and hydrolyzed keratin, are great for repairing raised cuticles.
How to use protein treatments: To get the most out of your protein treatment, it is always a great idea to use them after on freshly shampooed hair.
By using your protein treatment (or any treatment) on clean strands, you are allowing your hair to absorb the ingredients more easily and you are also allowing the protein to fill in the gaps throughout your hair cuticles. Then leave your protein treatment on for the time stated on the directions.
2. Acidic Rinses
Have you ever wondered why aloe vera juice* makes your hair feel like it is on cloud nine? Or why after you do an apple cider vinegar rinse? Your hair looks so shiny that you can blind someone with all of that hair bling?
Well, acidic products such as apple cider vinegar* and aloe vera juice* are a high porosity head’s friend. Since the purpose of acidic hair products is to flatten raised cuticles, when used on high porosity hair, it helps to close the cuticles which in turn makes your strands feel luxurious and smooth.
How to do an acidic rinse: To make an acidic rinse for your hair, take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar* or aloe vera juice and mix it with two cups of water.
After you have washed and conditioned your hair, take the mixture and pour it on your strands. Let it sit for about 5 minutes or so then rinse thoroughly.
You can then style your hair as you usually would do with your leave ins and such. Other acidic rinses that have been a hit amongst many ladies are rinses such as black tea rinses and lemon juice rinses.
3. Heavy Sealants
One of the biggest pains about having high porosity hair is that although the strands absorb a lot of moisture, they can lose the moisture just as fast.
The constant inflating and deflating of the strands, on top of the cuticles being lifted can cause some serious damage. This however can be prevented through the use of heavy sealants.
Heavy sealing is simply using heavier oils, such as castor and sesame or heavy butters and pomades, such as shea butter* and vaseline to seal in the leave ins and moisturizers that are applied to the hair.
How to use heavy sealants: You can use a heavy sealant on your hair just as you would a light oil, such as coconut oil*, with a few exceptions. With heavier sealants, a little goes a long way unless your goal is to “make your sooouullll glooowwww”.
But seriously, I think that we have all had those moments where we thought more product would bring us unicorn hair, and instead of it bringing us bling, we end up with an artificially shiny hot mess. So, just apply just enough, but not too much.
Also, it’s a great idea to apply heavy sealants right after applying your leave in or moisturizer. You’ll get the most out of keeping moisture in your hair and the hydral fatigue that is common among many ladies with high porosity hair can be kept at a minimum.
4.Low Humectant Based Products
Okay, remember earlier when I said that high porosity hair strands can inflate and deflate at a drop of a leave in? Well, moisturizers and conditioners that have humectants, such as glycerin and propylene glycol do not help the cause at all.
Why? Well, as most of us may know, one of the major functions of humectants is that they are able to pull moisture out of the air. Humectant rich products can be a frenemy to high porosity ladies, because although products such as these can bring yummy moisture; they can also cause for the strands to swell twice as much.
This is where low humectant products come into play. Low humectant products are products that contain little to no humectants such as glycerin. Low humectant products with emollient ingredients, such as BTMS, can give high porosity hair the moisture without the extra damage.
How to use low humectant based products: Use low humectant products the same way that you would use any other product. Just replace your high humectant based products with products with little to no humectants.
For example, a great leave in for high porosity ladies would be Kinky Curly Knot Today* due to its conditioning, but humectant free ingredient list. What have been the best techniques for you when dealing with high porosity hair?
Awesome article. This helped me out allot. It seems like every week I’m descovering something new about my high porosity 3c/4a hair. Now I will be incorporating aloe vera apple cider vinegar and castor oil into my regimen. I think that’s just what my hair needs. Thanks again:-)
I use As I Am Doublecream Butter or As I Am Hydration Elation. I have thick 4C hair that is high porosity. It has helped so much with softening my coarse strands. I just started using Castor Oil and it has made a HUGE difference in the health and moisture retention of my hair. I will have to try the ACV rinse. I keep hearing good things about it!