10 Essential Hair Care Tips for High Porosity Hair

First, let’s explain porosity. It is the ability of hair to absorb and retain moisture, determined by the condition of the hair’s cuticle layers, which can be open, normal, or closed.

When the cuticle layer is raised and more open, the hair is considered high porosity. With high porosity, moisture easily enters the hair but is harder to retain.

While water absorption and moisture retention may occur at similar speeds, they work in opposite directions, which can lead to damage.

Now, without further ado, let's dive into the care tips!

Stop using unnecessary treatment in your hair because your effort turns out to be worthless. It is just about following the right path and having the right product choices for your hair.

In the case of high porosity, sulfates, alcohols, and other harsh ingredients in conditioners should be avoided.

Opt for moisture-rich formulations, protein-based conditioners, and pH-balanced options.

These ingredients help in improving moisture retention and strengthening the hair without causing breakage.

For a quick, at-home treatment, simply gather avocado, honey, and a few drops of olive oil. Mashed and mix the ingredients, tada your deep nourishing conditioner is ready to pump your hair.

Why is oiling your hair beneficial? It helps address specific challenges associated with different hair types.

Usually when someone uses hair oil effectively, it helps lock in moisture by creating a barrier that seals it in, preventing it from escaping and keeping the hair hydrated.

However, confusion often arises regarding which oil to use.

Natural oil like argan oil is particularly good oil for high porosity hair since, unlike heavier oils, it is quickly absorbed, is not oily, and helps to restore and protect hair.

If you’re out of argan oil, you could also use coconut oil, jojoba oil, or avocado oil for toning as well.

In this era of fashion and style, heat styling tools have become household staples. Flaunting trendy hairstyles is now a norm.

But have you ever considered the damage these tools cause to your hair? Or are you someone who knows the risks but still can’t part with them?

If you fall into either category, let us tell you this: excessive use of styling tools can significantly diminish your hair quality, leading to issues like high porosity. It’s time to limit the use of these tools.

Instead, protect your hair by using a heat protector, which you can easily make at home using aloe vera gel.

Almost everyone knows why to use leave-in conditioners. Around the world, some people may have just heard the name, but they may not have an idea on it.

Thus, leave-in conditioner is considered one of the finest products that helps to prolong the moisture and improve the manageability of hair.

In addition to that, it also battles with the fizz and also makes your hair smoother.

Thus, if you have dry, damaged, high porosity hair, curly, or even colored hair, use this conditioner and give your hair an incredible bounce!

Even the most carefully built routines can falter, and tackling product buildup is no exception. While reducing buildup can be challenging, it’s not impossible.

The problem, however, arises in figuring out what’s causing it: silicones, waxes, heavyweight oils, or just clogging from using multiple products.

To effectively combat this, begin with a clarifying shampoo to thoroughly cleanse your hair. If this doesn’t suffice, a final apple cider vinegar rinse can be used just before exiting the shower.

Another natural solution is bentonite clay, which deeply cleanses without stripping away moisture.

Even though staying indoors offers some protection, stepping outside exposes your hair to hazards such as ultraviolet radiation and harsh weather conditions.

High-porosity hair is especially vulnerable, requiring proper hydration and protection to minimize damage.

To maintain nourishment and prevent further harm, it’s essential to create a balanced care routine.

For added protection, use hats, scarves, or a natural blend of aloe vera gel with essential oils to shield your hair from environmental stress.

Do you often find yourself rushing while getting ready? In those moments, you might overlook detangling your hair properly, brushing it haphazardly as if it’s unimportant.

But think for a moment-this rough treatment is turning your hair into a broom, increasing the risk of high porosity over time.

So, now you can give some time to your hair in brushing properly from the tip and move it eventually upwards.

Detangle with nicer touch: You can add oil like coconut oil or add conditioner to give slip and reduce breakage.

Often, people believe trimming their hair is just for styling, but it's a partial truth. Trimming helps prevent damaged ends from traveling up the hair shaft, reducing further breakage.

Your hair will always look presentable and remain healthy while retaining its length.

If you have high-porosity hair, trimming every 6–8 weeks can help prevent existing damage from worsening.

In the meantime, using rosemary oil can stimulate growth and improve hair health between trims.

These days, it has become fashionable to bleach, color, or perm hair. Yet, these can make the hair worse when frequently applied. 

These chemicals raise the hair cuticle and remove moisture and protein from simple chemical reactions.

To maintain the integrity of your hair shaft, it is crucial to avoid products and practices that compromise its health.

For safer alternatives, consider natural options like henna, which provides both coloring and conditioning benefits.

If chemical treatments are unavoidable, seek professional services to minimize harm while achieving your desired look.

You may not have considered that protecting your hair during sleep can be a simple yet effective way to care for high-porosity hair.

Fortifying your hair while you sleep helps minimize friction, prevent tangling, and maintain product effectiveness.

This often-overlooked minimalist tip is essential for maintaining healthy high-porosity hair. To implement it, you can use a satin or silk pillowcase or scarf.

Or one can also tie the hair in a loose braid or bun, or into a pineapple- a jutting hair tail dangling loosely at the top of one's head- for the extra protection it provides.

Understanding how to care for high-porosity hair is essential, but knowing what causes it is equally important. Below are the main factors:

• Over Washing

Applying a very strong shampoo or washing hair frequently causes them to lose their moisture and get problematic when it comes to moisturizing.

• Genetic Factors

It is imperative to understand that high porosity hair is hereditary. It is beyond doubt that some persons are born with hair that belongs to high porosity, which keeps it deprived of moisture even more frequently.

• Incorrect Hair Care Practices

Using heavy products or those containing harsh ingredients such as sulfates or silicones can damage the cuticle, increasing porosity over time.

• Lack of Proper Moisture and Protein Balance

An imbalance between moisture and protein can lead to high porosity. For example, over-hydrating without maintaining protein levels can weaken the cuticle and increase porosity.

High Porosity Hair:

Raised, open cuticles absorb moisture quickly but release it just as fast.

Hair often feels rough, brittle, and prone to splitting along its length.

Common causes include chemical treatments, heat exposure, environmental stress, mechanical damage, and frequent washing.

Focus is on prevention, repair, and minimizing moisture buildup.

Low Porosity Hair:

Closed, tight cuticles resist moisture absorption, leading to difficulty in soaking in products.

Smaller diameter creates smooth, shiny hair with less frizz.

Primarily influenced by genetics, with minimal tissue degeneration and infrequent use of harsh treatments.

Emphasizes heat application and carefully managing product absorption to avoid over-saturating the hair.

Float Test

How: Fill a glass or bowl with room temperature water. Submerge a clean hair strand, preferably from the root, into the water.

In case a hair strand could not be used, one can always use a strand of nylon. Just place it lightly in water for 5 to 7 minutes. Observe what happens. Observe what happens.

Results:

High Porosity: The hair strand sinks to the bottom almost immediately.

Low Porosity: The hair strand floats on the surface or sinks slightly but very slowly.

Medium Porosity: The strand floats just above the water surface, neither sinking rapidly nor remaining completely at the top.

Wet Hair Absorption Test

How: Take a small section of clean, dry hair and apply a small amount of water. Observe how quickly the water is absorbed.

Results:

High Porosity: Water is absorbed quickly and tends to escape just as fast.

Low Porosity: It remains on the surface for an extended period and takes longer to dry.

Medium Porosity: Absorbs water at a balanced rate-neither too fast nor too slow.

You gain a lot from care and patience. For optimal hair porosity, it’s essential to maintain moisture, repair damage, and ensure overall hair health.

Neglecting regular maintenance or rushing through treatments can lead to dryness, breakage, and frizz.

The ideal hair care routine includes regular deep conditioning, protective styles, and a balanced protein-moisture regimen.