Picture this: you’ve been diligently trying various hair products, following the advice of friends, family, and maybe even some influencers. You’ve invested time, money, and effort into maintaining your hair, but somehow, the results are just not what you expected. Frizz, lackluster strands, and an overall feeling of dissatisfaction become all too familiar. Frustrated, you begin to wonder what you might be doing wrong. But here’s the plot twist: it turns out that you’ve been using the wrong products all along, simply because you didn’t know your hair type.
Importance Of Knowing Hair Porosity
You see, just like your skin, your hair has its own unique needs and characteristics. Some hair types thrive with extra moisture, while others require more lightweight and volumizing products. By not knowing your hair type, you’ve unintentionally been neglecting its specific requirements, leaving you with lackluster results.
Understanding your hair porosity is a game-changer when it comes to finding the right products for your locks. The level of porosity refers to how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture. Knowing your hair’s porosity can help you determine which products and techniques will work best for your specific needs.
How Can I Test My Hair Porosity?
Well, the good thing is determining your hair porosity is a breeze. All you need is a simple glass of water and a strand of your hair.
First, make sure your hair is clean and free from any styling products. Then, take a strand of hair and drop it into a glass of water. Watch closely and observe what happens. Here’s a breakdown of what you might see:
High porosity: If your hair sinks to the bottom of the glass quickly, it likely has high porosity. Highly porous hair has gaps and openings in the cuticles, allowing moisture to be easily absorbed but also quickly lost. It may feel dry and frizzy.
Normal or medium porosity: If your hair takes some time to sink, but doesn’t float on the water’s surface, it’s likely of medium porosity. This is considered the ideal porosity level, as the hair retains moisture without becoming overly saturated or dry.
Low porosity: If your hair remains floating on the water’s surface for a while, it indicates low porosity. Low porosity hair has tightly closed cuticles, making it resistant to moisture absorption. It may take longer to dry and might require lightweight products.
Best-suited Treatments For Your Hair Type
Once you’ve identified your hair’s porosity level, you can select products and techniques that cater specifically to it:
High Porosity Hair
Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner: Look for products that provide intense hydration and moisture to replenish and nourish your hair. Ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, and glycerin can help retain moisture. For example, Zendaya, known for her stunning curls, often opts for moisturizing products to keep her high porosity hair hydrated and defined.
Deep Conditioning Treatments: Regular deep conditioning treatments can work wonders for high porosity hair. Ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, and avocado oil provide deep hydration and help repair damaged strands. Jennifer Aniston, with her beautiful blonde locks, is a fan of deep conditioning treatments to maintain the health of her high porosity hair.
Normal/Medium Porosity Hair
Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner: Look for products that maintain a healthy balance of moisture without weighing down your hair. Ingredients like jojoba oil, chamomile extract, and tea tree oil can help maintain optimal moisture levels. Blake Lively, known for her enviable beachy waves, often uses balancing products to keep her medium porosity hair looking effortlessly gorgeous.
Leave-In Conditioners: Lightweight leave-in conditioners provide an extra layer of moisture and protection without overwhelming the hair. Ingredients like argan oil, silk proteins, and panthenol help to seal in moisture and add shine. Lupita Nyong’o, with her stunning natural hair, often uses leave-in conditioners to keep her medium porosity hair moisturized and well-defined.
Low Porosity Hair
Clarifying Shampoo: Low porosity hair tends to have product buildup, so using a clarifying shampoo once in a while helps remove residue and allow better product penetration. Look for ingredients like apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil to clarify the hair. Kerry Washington, known for her sleek and glossy low porosity hair, often incorporates clarifying shampoos into her routine.
Lightweight Moisturizers: Opt for lightweight, water-based moisturizers that won’t weigh down your hair. Ingredients like aloe vera, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil provide hydration without causing buildup. Beyoncé, renowned for her luscious low porosity hair, often uses lightweight moisturizers to maintain her hair’s health and shine.
