Hair Care Tips for High Porosity Hair

Specialized care strategies and product recommendations for highly porous hair

Understanding High Porosity Hair

Hair porosity is a term that describes how easily your hair is able to soak up and retain moisture. If you have high porosity hair, it means that water, oils, and other types of products can be easily absorbed by your hair. However, because your hair is highly porous, it may not be able to retain moisture as well as other types of hair.

High Porosity Hair StructureOpen cuticles allow moisture to enter and escape easilyWater InWater Out

To understand hair porosity, it helps to know a bit about the hair's structure. Each strand of your hair is made up of three layers:

  • Cuticle: The outermost layer that consists of overlapping cells (like shingles on a roof)
  • Cortex: The middle layer that contains fibrous proteins and the pigment that gives your hair its color
  • Medulla: The innermost layer or core of the hair shaft

The cuticle layer acts as a protective barrier for your hair. In high porosity hair, the cuticles are raised, lifted, or damaged, creating gaps and spaces between the cuticle cells. These gaps allow moisture to easily enter the hair shaft, but they also allow moisture to escape just as easily, leading to chronic dryness and other issues.

What causes high porosity hair?

High porosity hair can be genetic, which means that it runs in your family. Many times, though, it's caused by hair processing and styling treatments like:

  • Heat styling (straightening, blow-drying)
  • Chemical treatments (bleaching, perming, relaxing)
  • Environmental damage (sun exposure, pollution)
  • Mechanical damage (rough brushing, tight hairstyles)
  • Excessive use of harsh shampoos and styling products
  • Aging, which naturally changes hair structure over time

These treatments can damage your cuticles, causing them to lift or separate. This creates gaps between your cuticles and, as a result, your hair becomes more porous than it would normally be.

Characteristics of High Porosity Hair

You may have high porosity hair if your hair:

  • Looks and feels dry
  • Tends to be frizzy
  • Tangles easily
  • Is prone to breakage
  • Air dries very quickly
  • Absorbs products quickly
  • Rarely looks shiny
  • Feels rough or straw-like when dry
  • Becomes waterlogged and heavy when wet
  • Loses moisture quickly throughout the day
  • Requires frequent moisturizing

The Float Test: Confirming Your Hair Porosity

If you're unsure about your hair porosity level, you can perform a simple float test at home:

  1. Take a clean glass and fill it with room temperature water
  2. Take a clean strand of hair (one that has naturally fallen out)
  3. Place the strand on the surface of the water
  4. Observe what happens over the next 2-4 minutes

Results Interpretation

  • High Porosity: The hair strand sinks quickly to the bottom of the glass
  • Medium Porosity: The hair strand floats in the middle of the glass for a while before sinking
  • Low Porosity: The hair strand floats on the surface for a long time

High porosity hair sinks quickly because the gaps in the cuticle allow water to penetrate rapidly, making the strand heavier. This is the same reason why high porosity hair absorbs products quickly but also loses moisture rapidly.

How to Care for High Porosity Hair

When it comes to caring for highly porous hair, the goals include reducing and reversing damage to the cuticle, helping your hair retain moisture, and strengthening the hair shaft to prevent further breakage. To help nourish, moisturize, and repair highly porous hair, it's important to use products that have the right formulation for this hair type.

Daily Care Routine

  1. Use sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoos
  2. Apply protein-rich conditioners
  3. Use leave-in conditioners to maintain moisture
  4. Seal moisture with oils or butters
  5. Minimize heat styling and always use heat protectants
  6. Dry your hair with a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt
  7. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase
  8. Detangle gently, starting from the ends and working up
  9. Avoid brushing dry hair, which can cause breakage
  10. Protect hair from sun exposure with hats or UV-protective products

Weekly Treatments

  1. Deep condition with protein treatments
  2. Use apple cider vinegar rinses to help close the cuticle
  3. Apply hair masks with moisturizing ingredients
  4. Consider oil pre-poo treatments before washing
  5. Use cold water for final rinses to help seal the cuticle
  6. Apply overnight treatments with a shower cap
  7. Do a scalp massage with nourishing oils
  8. Use a clarifying treatment to remove product buildup (once every 2-3 weeks)
  9. Apply a hot oil treatment to deeply penetrate the hair shaft
  10. Consider a DIY gelatin protein treatment for extra strength

The LOC/LCO Method for High Porosity Hair

One of the most effective moisture retention strategies for high porosity hair is the LOC (Liquid-Oil-Cream) or LCO (Liquid-Cream-Oil) method. These layering techniques help trap moisture inside the hair shaft:

LOC Method

  1. Liquid: Apply water or a water-based leave-in conditioner
  2. Oil: Seal in the moisture with a natural oil like jojoba, argan, or olive oil
  3. Cream: Apply a heavier cream or butter product to further seal and style

The LOC method works well for very high porosity hair that needs maximum moisture retention.

LCO Method

  1. Liquid: Apply water or a water-based leave-in conditioner
  2. Cream: Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion
  3. Oil: Seal everything in with a natural oil

The LCO method may work better for those with high porosity hair that's also fine in texture.

Moisture Sealing for High Porosity HairOils and butters create a protective barrierMoistureOil/Butter Seal

The Importance of Protein Treatments

High porosity hair often lacks protein due to the damaged cuticle. Regular protein treatments can help fill in the gaps in the cuticle layer, strengthening the hair and improving its ability to retain moisture.

Before Protein TreatmentDamaged cuticles with gapsAfter Protein TreatmentProtein fills gaps and repairs cuticlesProtein Treatment

Protein treatments work by temporarily filling in the gaps and holes in the damaged cuticle layer. This helps to strengthen the hair shaft and reduce moisture loss. However, it's important not to overdo protein treatments, as too much protein can make hair stiff and brittle. For most people with high porosity hair, a protein treatment once every 1-2 weeks is sufficient.

DIY Protein Treatment Recipe

Gelatin Protein Treatment

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin powder
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil (melted)

Instructions:

  1. Mix gelatin powder with water in a microwave-safe bowl
  2. Microwave for 10 seconds to dissolve the gelatin
  3. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well
  4. Apply to clean, damp hair, focusing on damaged areas
  5. Cover with a shower cap and leave for 20-30 minutes
  6. Rinse thoroughly with cool water
  7. Follow with a moisturizing conditioner

Recommended Products for High Porosity Hair

Choosing the right products is crucial for managing high porosity hair. Look for products that contain moisturizing ingredients, proteins, and ingredients that help seal the cuticle.

Shampoos

For high porosity hair, gentle, sulfate-free shampoos are best as they clean without stripping away natural oils. Look for moisturizing shampoos with ingredients like:

  • Aloe vera - Soothes the scalp and provides moisture
  • Glycerin - A humectant that attracts moisture to the hair
  • Shea butter - Provides deep moisture and softens hair
  • Coconut oil - Penetrates the hair shaft to provide internal moisture
  • Argan oil - Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E to nourish hair

Recommended shampoo products include:

  • SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo - Contains honey, mafura oil, and fig extract to hydrate and soften hair
  • Camille Rose Naturals Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse - A gentle cleanser with ginger and orange peel to cleanse without stripping
  • As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner - A conditioning cleanser that gently removes buildup while moisturizing
  • DevaCurl No-Poo Decadence - A zero-lather conditioning cleanser for maximum moisture
  • Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioning Protein/Moisture Replenisher - Balances protein and moisture for optimal hair health

Conditioners

High porosity hair needs conditioners that can penetrate deeply and help seal the cuticle. Look for ingredients like:

  • Hydrolyzed proteins (wheat, silk, keratin) - Help repair damaged cuticles
  • Amino acids - Building blocks of protein that strengthen hair
  • Panthenol - Vitamin B5 that moisturizes and adds shine
  • Cetyl alcohol - A fatty alcohol that conditions without drying
  • Quaternary ammonium compounds - Help smooth the cuticle

Recommended conditioner products include:

  • Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner - Detangles and provides moisture without weighing hair down
  • Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment - A rich conditioner that penetrates deeply into high porosity hair
  • TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask - Contains raw honey and olive oil for intense moisture
  • Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask - A protein-rich formula that repairs damage
  • Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment - Provides deep hydration and strengthening

Leave-In Treatments

  • Deep conditioners - Use at least once or twice a week
  • Protein treatments - Help rebuild the hair structure
  • Leave-in conditioners - Provide ongoing moisture throughout the day
  • Hair oils - Seal in moisture and protect the hair shaft
  • Curl creams - Define curls while providing moisture

Styling Products

  • Anti-humectants - Help control frizz in humid weather
  • Heat protectants - Essential before any heat styling
  • Sealing oils - Jojoba oil, argan oil, or castor oil to lock in moisture
  • Curl definers - Enhance curl pattern while providing hold
  • Butters and creams - Provide moisture and definition

Ingredients to Avoid

  • Sulfates - Can strip hair of natural oils
  • Alcohol-based products - Can be drying
  • Silicones - May cause buildup (especially non-water-soluble silicones)
  • Harsh chemicals - Further damage already compromised hair
  • Mineral oil - Can create a barrier that prevents moisture absorption
  • Formaldehyde - Found in some keratin treatments, can cause further damage
  • Parabens - May disrupt hormone function and irritate the scalp

Tips to Reduce Breakage

Highly porous hair is often prone to breakage that can keep your hair from growing. In addition to using nourishing, hydrating hair care products, the following tips may help:

  • Use only lukewarm water when washing and conditioning
  • Dry your hair with a cotton t-shirt instead of a towel
  • Minimize heat styling or use lower heat settings
  • Protect your hair at night with a silk or satin bonnet
  • Get regular trims to prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft
  • Be gentle when detangling - start from the ends and work your way up
  • Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the hair
  • Use protective styles to minimize manipulation and exposure
  • Consider using a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush
  • Apply a leave-in conditioner before swimming to protect from chlorine

Protective Styling for High Porosity Hair

Protective styles can be particularly beneficial for high porosity hair as they minimize manipulation and exposure to environmental factors. Some protective styles to consider include:

  • Braids (box braids, cornrows, etc.)
  • Twists
  • Buns
  • Updos
  • Wigs
  • Weaves

When wearing protective styles, it's important to continue moisturizing your hair and scalp. Use lightweight oils and water-based moisturizers to keep your hair hydrated without causing buildup.

Seasonal Care for High Porosity Hair

Summer Care

In summer, high porosity hair is particularly vulnerable to sun damage and dryness. Here are some tips for summer hair care:

  • Use UV-protective products to shield hair from sun damage
  • Wear hats or scarves when spending time outdoors
  • Rinse hair with fresh water before and after swimming
  • Apply a leave-in conditioner with UV protection
  • Increase deep conditioning treatments to combat dryness
  • Consider protective styles to minimize exposure

Winter Care

In winter, high porosity hair can become even drier due to indoor heating and cold, dry air. Here are some tips for winter hair care:

  • Use heavier oils and butters to seal in moisture
  • Deep condition more frequently
  • Cover your hair with a satin-lined hat when going outside
  • Use a humidifier indoors to add moisture to the air
  • Consider protective styles to shield hair from harsh weather
  • Avoid going outside with wet hair, as it can freeze and break

The Bottom Line

If you have high porosity hair, water and oils can be easily absorbed, but your hair will have a hard time retaining that moisture. With the right products and care routine, you can improve the health of your hair and make it easier to manage. Remember that consistency is key - stick with your routine to see the best results over time.

While you can't permanently change your hair's porosity level if it's genetic, you can certainly improve its condition and appearance with proper care. Be patient with your hair journey and remember that what works for someone else may not work for you. Listen to your hair and adjust your routine as needed.

Take the Hair Porosity Test