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Pilus porosity does not receive the same attending as other hair characteristics similar length or curl design, but information technology is an essential part of truly agreement your texture. Porosity is your hair'due south ability to absorb and retain moisture, oils, or chemicals like color. Low, medium, and high are unlike degrees of porosity. Due to damaging habits such as mechanical manipulation and color treatment, many naturals deal with loftier porosity hair.

Why porosity matters

Low Porosity – the hair cuticles are tight and very resistant to opening for water and other forms of moisture. Women with low porosity frequently complain of products just "sitting on their hair."

If your hair is low porosity, check out the Maximum Hydration Method for moisturizing your hair.

Medium (Normal) Porosity – the pilus cuticles are raised enough to readily absorb moisture, oils, and chemicals. Normal porosity hair tends to hold moisture, shine, and absorb color and chemicals better than low or loftier porosity strands.

Loftier Porosity – the hair cuticle that is highly raised  or even chipped and therefore quickly absorbs moisture. The downside is that because it'south raised and remains raised, you tin lose the moisture just as quickly as it was absorbed. Frequently this hair type is damaged from harsh chemicals, dye or bleach, high oestrus, or harsh shampoos that strip the hair. Because the cuticles are aggressively raised, the strands catch onto each other and get hands tangled.

five Means to treat high porosity hair

1. Protein treatments

Incorporating protein treatments in your regimen is important for loftier porosity pilus to gain forcefulness and not break every bit ofttimes. Oft, hair that is highly porous is a effect of  harm so if you haven't incorporated protein, information technology's fourth dimension to start. Highly porous hair has holes in the hair shaft and poly peptide temporarily fills those holes and strengthens the hair. It's similar patching a tire. Poly peptide treatments are usually advised to be used monthly. For an extra heave, you lot can also use calorie-free protein treatments every few weeks in between the monthly heavy protein treatment. Call up that protein is non a moisturizer and should non be treated as such.

Read more: eleven Strong, Medium and Light Protein Treatments

2. Deep conditioning

This should be done post-obit every wash. Remember to slather on generous amounts and heat it up! If y'all do not have a hooded dryer, practice not fret. Covering your hair with plastic cap or a warm towel for 15 minutes will suffice. I often leave my deep conditioner on overnight and rinse in the morn. Find a thick deep conditioner like SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque. I love this because it actually brings my hair dorsum to life.

3. Sealing with butters or oils

Butters and oils can help seal in the moisture that your hair soaks up without releasing it back to the air. Shea butter and olive oil are both heavy and nifty for sealing. Since olive oil is one of the few oils that penetrate the hair shaft, this would be a peachy option to apply equally a sealant.

iv. Using heavier products with natural oils

Heavy products will reinforce your sealing from the butter or oil and aid compensate for the protective layer that'south missing. Make sure to cheque the ingredients characterization of your products to see if heavy oils like olive, brush, or avocado oil are listed in the meridian five ingredients.

5. Apple tree cider vinegar and aloe vera

If your hair is also fine or doesn't respond well to heavy oils and butters, try apple cider vinegar (ACV) and aloe vera. Both ACV and aloe vera will work to adapt the pH residue of your pilus. Rinsing with the slightly acidic ACV will help flatten the cuticle and seal in the moisture. Some naturals add together aloe vera gel or aloe vera juice to their leave-in conditioners or spray bottle solutions.

This article was originally published March 2014 and has been updated for grammer and clarity.