We know that having high porosity hair can be extremely challenging to maintain. Your hair loses moisture easily, so your hairstyles are not long-lasting.
In addition, your hair is prone to frizz, friction, and frayed ends. This can cause a lot of breakage, knots, and tangles. To avoid all of this, we are here to share 5 things you absolutely should not do when you have high-porosity hair.
1. You cannot slack on your moisture game
Moisture is your hair’s absolute best friend. High porosity hair cuticles are always in a raised position so as soon as the moisture gets in, it gets out just as fast.
The key is to keep the moisture locked into your hair using cream and/or oil. Most high porosity gals prefer to do the LCO Method as using cream followed up with oil works wonderfully to seal moisture into your strands. The cream can trap the hydration molecules from the liquid so your curls stay moisturized for longer.
With high-porosity hair, moisturizing will have to remain a frequent step in your natural hair routine. Daily if possible but at the very least, every other day.
2. You cannot use harsh cleansers on your hair
High porosity is in a vulnerable state so using harsh cleansers will add more stress to your hair. Many cleansers are formulated with sulfates which are chemical surfactants that strip your hair. Now this is fine if you are looking to clarify your hair.
But if used regularly, these shampoos will remove the natural oils* and sebum from your scalp that are needed to nourish your new growth. Also, it leaves your hair dry, weak and susceptible to more damage.
They are safer cleansers on the market that are sulfate free, nourish the scalp, and are also affordable.
3. You cannot use heated tools too often
We all love a good blowout and/or flat-ironed hairdo. However, when you have high porosity hair, you must avoid heat styling your hair often or altogether.
Thermal heated tools can go up to extremely elevated temperatures which have the potential to cause serious damage to your hair. The heat will break down the protective layer of the hair shaft, so the hair is innermost parts of the hair are exposed.
High porosity hair is already vulnerable so adding heat consistently will make things worse. If you use your hot tools to stretch your hair, try doing heatless styles such as buns and Flexi-rods.
4. You cannot detangle without a product with mega slip
You need a conditioner that is formulated with particular ingredients to have slip.’ Cetearyl alcohol is one such ingredient. It is a fatty acid that makes the conditioner pliable once you apply it to the hair shaft.
Once the conditioner encounters water it will leave the hair feeling soft and supple after raking it through, section by section.
This makes detangling your hair from tips to roots with a wide tooth comb* or detangling brush much easier. Also, there will be fewer knots and tangles to remove as the conditioner ‘melts’ away the tangles.
5. You cannot skimp on protein for your hair
Last but certainly not least is to do protein treatments regularly. High porosity hair may be slightly damaged as there may be gaps along the hair strands that causes the increase in porosity. There may also be broken cuticle layers that need to be repaired.
Your protein treatments will aid to repair and renew strength, thickness, and vigor back into your curls. Ensure to coat your hair with your favorite protein treatment for the stipulated time on the product.
You can opt to use a light protein treatment every other week and a heavier or hard protein treatment every 6 weeks to keep your strands in tip-top shape.
