Hair SciencePorosity ChangesOver Time

Hair porosity—your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture—is determined by how your cuticles (the outermost layer of your hair shaft) lie on the hair strand. While you may have a natural porosity level that you're born with, several factors can alter your hair's porosity throughout your life.

Factors That Can Change Hair Porosity

1. Chemical Treatments

Chemical processes are one of the most common causes of porosity changes:

• Hair coloring: Both permanent and semi-permanent dyes can lift the cuticle and increase porosity.
• Bleaching: This is particularly damaging and can significantly increase porosity.
• Perming and relaxing: These treatments alter the hair's structure and can damage the cuticle.
• Keratin treatments: While designed to smooth the hair, some keratin treatments contain harsh chemicals that can affect porosity.

2. Heat Styling

Regular use of heat styling tools can gradually change your hair's porosity:

• Flat irons and curling irons: Direct heat can damage the cuticle, especially at high temperatures.
• Blow dryers: Frequent blow-drying, especially without heat protectants, can increase porosity over time.
• Hot rollers: These apply heat directly to the hair shaft and can affect the cuticle.

3. Environmental Factors

Your environment plays a significant role in your hair's health and porosity:

• Sun exposure: UV rays can damage the cuticle and increase porosity.
• Chlorine and salt water: Swimming in pools or the ocean can strip the hair and affect its porosity.
• Hard water: Mineral buildup from hard water can affect how your hair absorbs moisture.
• Pollution: Environmental pollutants can damage the hair cuticle over time.

4. Mechanical Damage

How you handle your hair can impact its porosity:

• Brushing and combing: Rough brushing, especially when hair is wet, can damage the cuticle.
• Tight hairstyles: Ponytails, braids, and buns that pull on the hair can cause damage over time.
• Friction: Rubbing hair with rough towels or sleeping on cotton pillowcases can raise the cuticle.

5. Aging

As we age, our hair naturally changes:

• Hormonal changes: Shifts in hormone levels can affect hair texture and porosity.
• Reduced oil production: The scalp produces less oil as we age, which can affect hair moisture.
• Cumulative damage: Years of styling, environmental exposure, and treatments add up.

6. Hair Care Practices

Your regular hair care routine can gradually change your hair's porosity:

• Harsh shampoos: Sulfate-heavy shampoos can strip the hair and affect the cuticle.
• Protein treatments: While beneficial, excessive protein can alter porosity.
• Clarifying treatments: Regular use of clarifying products can affect the hair's moisture balance.

Signs Your Hair Porosity Is Changing

How can you tell if your hair porosity is changing? Look for these indicators:

• Changes in drying time: Hair that suddenly dries much faster or slower than before.
• Different product performance: Products that once worked well no longer give the same results.
• New texture issues: Increased frizz, tangling, or dryness that wasn't present before.
• Absorption changes: Products sitting on top of hair that used to absorb well, or vice versa.
• Increased frizz or dryness: These can indicate a shift toward higher porosity.
• Product buildup: More buildup might suggest a shift toward lower porosity.
• Different results from porosity tests: Regularly testing your hair's porosity can help you track changes.

Common Porosity Transitions

From Low to Medium Porosity

This transition often happens gradually with age or moderate heat styling. Signs include:

• Hair absorbs products more easily
• Faster drying time
• Less product buildup
• Better response to conditioning treatments

From Medium to High Porosity

This is commonly caused by chemical treatments, excessive heat styling, or environmental damage. Signs include:

• Hair feels drier despite conditioning
• Increased frizz and tangles
• Very fast drying time
• Hair feels rough when running fingers up the shaft
• Increased breakage

From High to Medium Porosity

This positive transition can happen with proper care and treatments. Signs include:

• Better moisture retention
• Reduced frizz
• Slightly longer drying time
• Less tangling
• Improved elasticity

Adapting Your Hair Care Routine to Porosity Changes

If Your Hair Is Becoming More Porous

1. Focus on moisture retention: Use heavier oils and butters to seal in moisture.
2. Incorporate protein treatments: Higher porosity hair often needs protein to fill in gaps in the cuticle.
3. Use leave-in conditioners: These provide ongoing moisture throughout the day.
4. Try the LOC or LCO method: Layering products can help seal in moisture more effectively.
5. Reduce heat styling and chemical treatments: Give your hair time to recover.

If Your Hair Is Becoming Less Porous

1. Use lighter products: Switch to lighter oils and water-based moisturizers.
2. Incorporate clarifying treatments: Regular clarifying can help prevent buildup.
3. Use heat strategically: Gentle heat can help products penetrate low porosity hair.
4. Focus on humectants: Ingredients like glycerin and honey can help attract moisture.
5. Consider your washing technique: You may need to wash more or less frequently.

Preventing Unwanted Porosity Changes

While some porosity changes are inevitable (like those due to aging), you can minimize unwanted changes:

• Use heat protectants: Always apply before heat styling.
• Limit chemical treatments: Space out coloring, perming, or relaxing sessions.
• Protect from the environment: Wear hats in the sun and use products with UV protection.
• Be gentle with your hair: Use wide-tooth combs, avoid brushing when wet, and be careful with styling.
• Use a satin or silk pillowcase: This reduces friction while you sleep.
• Deep condition regularly: This helps maintain hair health and can prevent damage.

Conclusion

Understanding that hair porosity can change over time empowers you to adapt your hair care routine accordingly. By recognizing the signs of porosity changes and knowing how to adjust your approach, you can maintain healthy, beautiful hair throughout these transitions.

Remember that hair care is not one-size-fits-all, and what works for your hair today might not work in the future. Stay attentive to your hair's needs, be willing to experiment with different products and techniques, and consult with hair care professionals when needed.

For more specific care recommendations based on your current hair porosity level, check out our detailed guides:

• Low Porosity Hair Care Guide
• Medium Porosity Hair Care Guide
• High Porosity Hair Care Guide