Today we’re discussing low porosity hair.
A Lovely Reader Writes…
I did a strand test today on a strand that was on my hand after I shampooed. I left it to dry then dropped it in some room temp water. It’s still floating on the top of the water an hr and some later…I started to notice that my hair couldn’t handle daily mositurising. If I moisturise at night, my hair is still limp in the morning (and my hair does not hold up well when it is damp or wet). So some nights I wouldn’t moisturise my hair just so I wouldn’t have limp hair. Also, I would find that the middle of my hair would still be damp at the end of the day (I wear a bun every day). However, my hair doesn’t feel dry if I skip a couple days of moisturising.
My Response
The wet strand test is a good starting point for determining if you have low porosity hair. However, some argue it is not the most accurate test for determining porosity.
For example, my strands float for days so I concluded I have low porosity hair, which makes sense given the results of the wet strand test. However, my Komaza Hair Analysis suggested otherwise. Their test takes a scientific look at the hair and determined I have normal to high porosity. However, my hair does not behave like normal to high porosity whatsoever.
Related: What is Hair Porosity
Hair Density Matters
Although you didn’t mention hair density, it definitely matters because it determines how much product your hair requires. Fine hair requires a lot less product. Using way too much product will cause the hair to appear limp and lifeless. Coarse hair requires a lot more product. Therefore, it takes a lot before coarse hair appears limp and lifeless. Knowing the density of your hair will determine how much product you need to get the achieve the look you’re desiring.
Related: Why Hair Density and Hair Porosity Matter to Hair
Moisturizing Low Porosity Hair
Low porosity hair is not necessarily a bad thing. It just means it takes hair a little longer to absorb product and achieve ultimate hydration. However, once low porosity hair absorbs moisture, it holds on to that moisture for longer periods that high porosity. Basically, moisture evaporates out of the strands at a slower rate than high porosity hair.
When to moisturize your low porosity hair is about being aware of what your hair needs. If your hair feels moisturized, then it’s perfectly fine to skip a few days of moisturizing. Overuse of product will only leave your hair damp, limp and lifeless.
In the example you provide, I recommend scaling back on frequency and amount of product to see how things go. Just because the hair community suggest daily moisturizing and sealing, doesn’t mean it’s the right technique for your hair.
For more information, check out – 13 Regimen Hacks for Low Porosity Hair.
Resa says
September 23, 2014 at 3:04 pmNice answer diva are there any other ways to test porosity?
Jay (Divachyk) of RT says
September 23, 2014 at 6:01 pmHi Resa, there are a few ways that some recommend and others talk smack against. You know how that goes.
1) wet strand test
or
2) on damp hair, rub your fingers up the strand (rub going toward the root)…if it’s feels rough and straw like, it’s low porosity. If you feel nothing, it’s normal porosity. If it feels gummy or sticky and you’re certain all the product was removed from the hair, it’s high porosity.
As you might have guessed, my hair always felt rough & straw like.
Resa says
September 24, 2014 at 2:52 pmHmm well now I’m wondering I’ve done both of those tests and with the second one when I run my finger up I feel nothing…so could my hair be low to normal porosity?