What Is Porosity? High Porosity Hair Products vs. Low Porosity Hair Products- Hair Porosity 101

Summary

This video dives deep into the topic of hair porosity, debunking common myths and clarifying the differences between low and high porosity hair. The host explains how hair cuticle structure affects porosity and that it's not a static characteristic but can change due to damage. The video offers practical tips on how to determine your hair's porosity and provides tailored hair care advice for both low and high porosity hair types, including product recommendations and techniques for maintaining healthy hair.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses hair porosity, a topic with much misinformation, aiming to clarify common misconceptions.
• 🏠 Hair cuticles are compared to shingles on a roof, being made up of overlapping scales that form a hydrophobic barrier against liquid penetration.
• 🔒 Both normal and resistant hair types have flat cuticles, but resistant hair has an even tighter, more compact layer, making it more resistant to chemicals and moisture.
• 💧 Porosity refers to a hair's ability to absorb liquids, with porous hair having raised cuticles that allow for easier absorption compared to flat cuticles in normal or resistant hair.
• 🙅‍♀️ Contrary to popular belief, hair porosity is not a permanent characteristic and can change due to damage from various hair treatments.
• 📈 Damage is the primary factor affecting hair porosity, with increased damage leading to higher porosity levels.
• 🌡️ High pH hair care products can also increase porosity by damaging the hair, so it's important to use pH balanced or low pH hair care.
• 💦 Characteristics to determine hair porosity include how quickly hair absorbs water, dries after wetting, and how well products absorb into the hair.
• 🧪 A strand test can be done at home to assess hair porosity by feeling the texture of individual hair strands.
• 🛠️ Hair care tips for different porosities include adjusting protein use, choosing appropriate leave-in conditioners, and using deep conditioning masks effectively.
• 🌟 The video emphasizes that while porosity is important, other hair characteristics such as texture and curl pattern also significantly impact how a product works for an individual's hair.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on explaining the concept of hair porosity, its effects, and how to care for hair with different porosity levels.

What is the hair cuticle and why is it important?

The hair cuticle is the outer protective layer of the hair strand, made up of overlapping scales. It is important because it forms a hydrophobic barrier that resists the penetration of liquids and protects the hair from damage.

What is the difference between low porosity hair and high porosity hair?

Low porosity hair has cuticles that lie flat, forming a tight barrier against liquid penetration. High porosity hair has raised cuticles, which do not form this barrier and readily absorb liquids.

Can hair porosity change over time?

Yes, hair porosity can change due to various factors such as hair damage, chemical treatments, and heat styling, which can increase porosity over time.

What is a porosity gradient and what does it indicate?

A porosity gradient refers to the varying levels of porosity along a single strand of hair, typically with higher porosity at the ends where the hair is more damaged and lower porosity near the root.

How can one determine if their hair is high or low porosity?

One can determine hair porosity by observing how quickly their hair absorbs water, dries after wetting, and how products absorb into the hair. A strand test can also be performed at home for a preliminary assessment.

What are some common misconceptions about hair porosity?

Some common misconceptions include the belief that hair porosity is solely dependent on hair type and is a permanent characteristic, and that low porosity hair is damaged hair, when in fact, the opposite is true.

How does hair damage relate to porosity?

Hair damage increases porosity. Damaged hair has raised cuticles, which leads to higher porosity and an increased ability to absorb liquids.

What are some characteristics to look for in determining hair porosity?

Characteristics include the speed at which hair absorbs water, the drying time after wetting, and how easily products absorb into the hair.

How can one care for high porosity hair?

High porosity hair requires products with added proteins to strengthen and prevent breakage, as well as regular deep conditioning to maintain moisture. It's also important to avoid protein buildup by not overusing protein-rich products.

What are some hair care tips that are beneficial for all hair types, regardless of porosity?

Some beneficial hair care tips for all hair types include oiling the hair before shampooing, using deep conditioning hair masks, properly conditioning the hair throughout the week, and using a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup.

Why is it important to use pH balanced hair care products?

Using pH balanced hair care products is important because high pH products can damage the hair and increase porosity, leading to potential issues like dryness, brittleness, and breakage.

What are some recommended leave-in conditioners for resistant hair?

For resistant hair, lighter weight leave-in conditioners like the Pureology Smooth Perfection Heat Protectant Smoothing Lotion and the Red Hair Oil are recommended to avoid product buildup.

How can one enhance the effectiveness of a deep conditioning hair mask for resistant hair?

For resistant hair, placing the hair under a towel or shower cap while the deep conditioning mask is in can help. The heat from the towel or cap can lift the cuticles, allowing the product to penetrate the hair more effectively.

What is the role of proteins in hair care products?

Proteins are one of the major structural components of hair. They help to strengthen the hair and prevent breakage, especially when the hair is damaged and has lost its natural protein content.

Why is it suggested to use protein-free products for resistant hair?

For resistant hair, it's suggested to use protein-free products to avoid protein buildup, which can lead to hair issues such as stiffness and difficulty in managing the hair.

How often should one perform a strand test to check hair porosity?

While there's no specific frequency, a strand test can be performed whenever one suspects a change in hair porosity or before making significant changes to their hair care routine.

What are some signs of protein depletion in hair?

Signs of protein depletion in hair include increased damage, breakage, and a lack of strength and elasticity.

How does the video suggest using leave-in conditioners for different porosity levels?

For resistant hair, lighter leave-in conditioners are recommended to prevent product buildup. For porous hair, slightly thicker leave-in conditioners can be used as they are more readily absorbed.