Are you wondering if your hair has low porosity?
"Porosity" is a buzzword in the natural hair community, but what does it mean?
According to the Pivot Point Salon Fundamentals Cosmetology Textbook, "porosity is the hair's ability to absorb moisture, liquids or chemicals."
So if the hair is showing signs of low porosity, it usually means that your cuticle has a hard time lifting. That means it's hard for your hair to absorb products.
RELATED: How To Keep Your Hair Fabulous When You Have Hard Water
The signs of low porosity hair are not always clear
But what if I told you that several people with hair resembles having low porosity but it isn't?
Say WHAT?
There are many women whose hair shows signs of the inability to absorb products and it's all because they simply have not thoroughly cleansed their hair.
That's right. Hair that has not been properly cleansed with a shampoo containing surfactants is likely to collect tons of buildup, which leads to the hair being unable to accept/absorb the product.
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What is the cause of this buildup?
Buildup on the hair comes from the use of heavy oils and butters, hard water and using products made up of silicones that are not water-soluble.
When the hair is not thoroughly cleansed, the cuticle is unable to lift and the hair isn't able to get the hydration/moisture it needs from water.
What's the best way to determine if your hair is low porosity?
First things first, EVERY natural needs to buy herself a clarifying shampoo.
Clarifying shampoos contain strong surfactants that can remove dirt, oil and buildup.
Now, if you've been using lots of heavy oils and butters it may take several shampoo sessions to get all that gunk out of your hair. Using too many oils like coconut or castor and butters like shea butter may take time to get out.
Kinky Curly Come Clean (KCCC) is a favorite among participants in the #30dayhairdetox in removing dirt, oil and buildup.
As a cosmetology student, I've seen several clients who use oils in their haircare regimen. Let me tell you, there are times when that oil is super difficult to cleanse from the hair.
With that being said, it's very important to note that there is a chance that not all of the buildup will be totally removed on the first clarifying session.
Determining porosity is not that difficult. Here are some things to take note of:
- After being clarified does the hair absorb water?
- Does it dry fast?
- Does it do different things in different areas?
- Are some areas more resistant to products than others?
Interested in learning more about porosity and how to actually manage it? Follow the #30dayhairdetox on social media or you can simply tap into the 30dayhairdetox.com online digital natural hair experience. The #30dayhairdetox experience will provide you with scientific and practical knowledge. It will help you get the best hydrated curls of your life.
