Navigating High Porosity: Actions to Avoid for Healthy Curly Hair

Welcome to the world of curls, where each coil tells a story of its own. For those blessed with curls, it's a journey filled with twists, turns, and a whole lot of personality. But for those with high porosity hair, it's a journey that often comes with its own set of challenges.

In this blog post, we're diving deep into the world of high porosity hair, armed with knowledge, tips, and a whole lot of love for those gorgeous curls. We'll uncover the secrets to taming the mane, avoiding common pitfalls, and embracing a hair care routine that leaves your curls looking and feeling their absolute best. So, buckle up and get ready to embark on a journey to curly hair success like never before!

What is High Porosity hair?

Imagine your hair as a thirsty sponge, eagerly soaking up every drop of moisture it encounters, only to release it just as quickly, leaving you with a constant battle against dryness and frizz. Yes, that's the reality of high porosity hair – a rollercoaster ride of hydration highs and lows.

High porosity hair refers to hair strands with raised cuticles that absorb moisture quickly but struggle to retain it. This type of hair often feels dry, frizzy, and prone to breakage.

High porosity hair can be genetic or caused by external factors such as heat damage, chemical treatments, or environmental exposure.

How to Care for High-Porosity Hair?

Managing high porosity hair requires a tailored approach. One of the primary challenges is retaining moisture. High porosity hair tends to lose moisture rapidly, leading to dryness and brittleness. Therefore, it's crucial to focus on hydration and moisture retention.

Pre-Poo Treatment

Pre-pooing is a treatment done before shampooing can help protect high porosity hair from damage during the washing process. Additionally, detangling your hair gently before washing prevents knots and tangles, reducing breakage and preserving the integrity of your curls.

Trimming for Healthy Growth

Regular trims are essential for all hair types, but they're particularly beneficial for high porosity hair. Aim to trim your hair every 8-12 weeks to remove split ends and prevent further breakage, promoting healthier growth and improving the overall appearance of your curls.

Balancing Protein Treatments

Protein treatments can strengthen high porosity hair, but it's essential to find the right balance. Too much protein can make the hair stiff and brittle, while too little may not provide enough support. Experiment with different treatments to find what works best for your hair.

Gentle Drying Techniques

Avoid rough drying methods, such as towel drying or rubbing your hair vigorously with a towel, as these can cause friction and damage the hair cuticle. Instead, opt for gentle techniques like air drying or using a microfiber towel to blot excess moisture.

Silk or Satin Sleep

Sleeping on silk or satin pillowcases or wearing a silk or satin bonnet can help prevent friction and breakage, keeping your curls looking smooth and defined. These materials are gentle on the hair and help retain moisture, reducing frizz and preserving your hairstyle overnight.

Caution with Heat Styling

While occasional heat styling can add versatility to your hairstyle, it's essential to use caution with high porosity hair. Excessive heat can further damage the hair cuticle, leading to increased dryness and breakage. Whenever possible, opt for heat-free styling methods to protect your curls.

Choosing the Right Products

Selecting the right hair products is crucial for managing high porosity hair. Look for products specifically formulated for this hair type, with ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter that help seal moisture into the hair shaft. When choosing shampoos opt for those labelled as moisturising or hydrating, and avoid products containing sulphates, which can strip moisture from the hair.

Products for High porosity hair​

Mielle Organics Pomegranate And Honey Twisting Souffle - 12oz

Mielle Organics Pomegranate And Honey Twisting Souffle is a hair product designed for Type 4 hair, offering intense hydration and shine for twist-outs, braid outs, or bantu knots.

Its whipped formula, made with natural ingredients like pomegranate extract, honey, and essential oils, provides nourishment and definition. It's lightweight, conditions and protects the hair, has a pleasant scent, and is free from harmful chemicals or preservatives.

As I Am Coconut CoWash - 16oz

As I Am Cowash stands out from other hair washes by effectively removing excess buildup caused by extensive hair treatments, heat exposure, and chemicals. This cowash doubles as a leave-in deep conditioner, suitable for all hair types, enhancing shine and overall hair health.

The formula moisturises damaged hair, provides essential nutrients for a healthy glow, cleanses the hair thoroughly, and promotes smoothness while softening the strands, fostering healthy hair growth.

Aunt Jackie's Oh So Clean Moisturizing & Softening Shampoo - 12oz

Give a nourishing treatment for extremely dry hair to lather rich by Aunt Jackie's Oh So Clean Moisturizing & Softening Shampoo. It is a moisturising shampoo enriched with Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and Extra Virgin Olive Oil to get more superior softness, clean, hydrated and relaxed combing for your tresses.

Kinky-Curly Knot Today - 8oz

Kinky-Curly Knot Today is a deep conditioning herbal cream that provides a large amount of hydration to the hair. This multi-purpose conditioner that you can either use daily and rinse it out or as a leave-in. It tames your frizz, detangles your hair and brings back the lost lustre of your hair.

Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Conditioner - 13oz

Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Conditioner detangles hair effectively while deep conditioning it from root to tip. Enriched with Manuka Honey, Mafura Oil, Baobab and African Fig extract, this sulphate-free formula works to moisturise and result in a soft, bouncy and incredibly silky mane!

Cantu Argan Oil Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream - 453g

Cantu argan leave in conditioner cream is made with completely natural ingredients. It offers deep conditioning treatment by penetrating the scalp and reaching the roots. Enriched with pure argan oil, it not only benefits your hair but also nourishes your scalp, promoting overall hair health.

Experience the transformative power of Cantu as it promotes strong, healthy hair, making it ideal for coloured, relaxed, and texturised hair types. Whether your hair is over-heated or lacking shine, Cantu's conditioning cream works wonders, infusing your locks with renewed vitality and promoting hair growth.

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil - 8oz

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil offers an exceptional formula designed to promote hair growth, sourced directly from rural Jamaican farmers who meticulously harvest and process castor oil seeds.  Not only does it accelerate hair growth, but it also nourishes and smoothens all hair types, providing a daily solution for optimal hair care.

KeraCare Humecto Creme Conditioner - 16oz

KeraCare Humecto Creme Conditioner is your go-to solution for hydrated, moisturised hair. With its deep-penetrating formula, it enhances hair porosity and improves softness, reducing breakage and leaving your hair with a healthy appearance.

Ideal for all hair types, especially dry and brittle hair, it boasts a soothing fragrance for a calming experience. pH balanced and offering superior moisturising results, this conditioner detangles hair effortlessly, making it easier to manage whether wet or dry.

Aunt Jackie's In Control Anti-Poof Moisturizing & Softening Conditioner - 15oz

Crafted with a blend of unique herbal extracts and proteins, this conditioner is designed to tame, nurture, and deeply condition frizzy, unmanageable, and dry hair.

Whether you have natural curls, coils, or waves, this restorative treatment is perfect for any hair type or texture, including coloured, stress-free, and texturised hair. Gentle enough for use after shampooing, it's enriched with Shea moisture, extra virgin oil, and keratin to promote softness, strength, shine, and flexibility.

Tgin Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer for Natural Hair - 12oz

Tgin Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer for Natural Hair is an exceptional hair product enriched with high-quality natural ingredients such as shea butter, cocoa butter, and Vitamin E.

The moisturiser is designed to provide your hair with the essential moisture it needs for a soft, shiny, and manageable look. It is the perfect solution for those who want to keep their curls and coils hydrated, healthy, and frizz-free.

Conclusion

Navigating high porosity hair requires patience, experimentation, and a willingness to adapt your hair care routine. By following the tips outlined in this article and avoiding common pitfalls, you can maintain healthy, vibrant curls that defy expectations.

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