Porosity and Natural Black Hair

What is Porosity?

Porosity determines how quickly the hair’s cuticle soaks up water, product solutions, or any kind of chemicals. Genetics is an element that impact the porosity of ones hair – for example curly tresses is much more permeable than straight hair. Additionally, there are environmental elements that have an influence on the porosity of an individual’s hair. If you often use chemical agents to color or relax your locks your hair may become more porous due to damage.

Low Porosity

Low porosity hair contains a tightly bound cuticle that will not very easily soak up water or any type of product. One of the benefits to having low porosity hair is it’s ability to reflect light and carry a gloss, specifically if the locks are darker. In addition, low porosity hair has proven the ability to be very resilient and healthy. What some may consider as a drawback of low porosity hair is it’s difficult to process — the hair’s base isn’t as responsive to hair chemical dyes and straightening chemicals. Also, if low porosity hair becomes dry or damaged without any cause, it can be more challenging for it to soak up deep conditioning items to help repair the damage.

High Porosity

Highly porous hair is caused by chemical substance harm from coloring, heating tools, and relaxers. Hair of this kind soaks up a lot more water than locks with normal porosity — up to in excess of 50 % water by weight. This is often great for intake of conditioning items, nevertheless it does have it’s drawbacks. Locks rich in porosity effortlessly consumes water from the environment, resulting in extremely frizzy hair, especially on days that are humid.

Medium Porosity

Medium porosity hair is the ideal hair type. It is in the center of the porosity range, this hair type is neither way too absorbing neither way too repellant. This hair demands the lowest level of upkeep to look it’s best. Medium porosity means hair that has the capacity to keep roughly 30 % water by weight. Furthermore, this kind of hair can also be harmed, and it’s porosity can be affected by the use of any chemicals and harmful environmental elements.

Elements that Impact Porosity

Certain kinds of hair are by natural means much more permeable than other kinds. Natural black hair that is curly or kinky has far more porosity than straight hair. The reason being the base on the hair winds around, resulting in far more breaks or cracks within the cuticle. Environment components resulting in much more really absorbing hair consist of damage from chemical substance processing, contact with Ultra violet rays, as well as heat injury from hair styling equipment for example hairdryers and flat irons.

If you would like to reduce the risk of your hair being highly porous, it is best to avoid using chemicals and heat styling tools on your hair.