FIRST THINGS FIRST
What is hair porosity?
Porosity is determined by how your hair receives moisture. Some hair absorbs moisture easily and readily, other curly hair types have a difficult time receiving moisture, while yet and still, there are also types that are somewhere in between. Knowing where your hair lies within the spectrum is important for not only the health of your curly hair, but also important for understanding how to best style your hair.
All hair types are protected by the hair shaft, which has tiny pieces of shingle coverings also known as the cuticle layer. Raised cuticles allow moisture in, while closed cuticles hold moisture in. This tiny piece of information could be the missing piece to your thirsty-hair woes. But fret not yourself! CURLS provides products to suit the needs of ALL hair porosity types.
What is Low Porosity Hair?
This hair type's outer hair cuticles lay tightly together like new roof shingles protecting the inner workings of the hair. Typically, this hair type is dark in color and resistant to heat and chemical treatments. The hair could feel dry and wiry when harsh protein-based treatments are applied. Therefore, it is best to treat this type of hair with moisturizing agents, rich emollients, and humectants to soften the hair over time. This hair type will benefit greatly from steam treatments and deep conditioning treatments under a heated cap, to open up the cuticles and allow moisture in. The optimal time to deep condition the hair is after cleansing as heat opens up the cuticles.
Low Porosity Hair Products from The Sea Moss Collection:
STEP 1 CLEANSE - Powerhouse Sea Moss Cleanser
Low porosity hair really needs a helping hand when opening up the cuticle layers. This hair cleanser for natural hair is the perfect companion for your hair type. Cleanse the hair and continue onto the conditioning treatment mask.
STEP 2 CONDITION: - 92 Mineral Grow & Glow Conditioner
Low porosity hair needs all of the moisture. Apply the mineral conditioner and leave on your strands for 15-30 minutes and rinse. * You can also sit under a hooded dryer to aid in lifting the cuticle layers with heat to let the moisture in.
STEP 3 MOISTURIZE - Moisture Magnet Sea Moss Curl Cream
Low porosity hair can benefit from a daily moisturizing leave in conditioner. Apply this leave in, after conditioning or daily before styling.
STEP 4 STYLE - (1) Sea Slip Mineral Infused Curl Jelly and/or (2) Nourish and Shine Sea Moss Foam.
CURLS Styling products can be used on your low porosity hair. You will find the best results when your hair is most moisturized from previous steps. Choose your favorite styler or cocktail the two.
What is Medium/Normal Porosity Hair?
This hair type naturally takes moisture in, without allowing too much to escape. It can hold a style for a lengthy amount of time and can protect itself very well against the elements. This hair type will benefit from regular deep conditioning treatments. The use of heat or steam when deep conditioning is optional. Closing the cuticle after conditioning is key to maintaining moisture. You can close the cuticle by rinsing your curl care conditioner out with cool water. You can also close the cuticle by using a sealing oil, after applying a moisture-based leave in conditioner.
Medium/Normal Porosity Hair Products from The Sea Moss Collection:
STEP 1 CLEANSE - Powerhouse Sea Moss Cleanser
Medium/Normal porosity hair’s primary goal is to preserve the moisture it receives. Cleansing the hair is the first step towards replenishing moisture. Cleanse the hair and continue with the conditioning treatment mask.
STEP 2 CONDITION: - 92 Mineral Grow & Glow Conditioner
Next, condition the hair and leave your conditioning treatment mask on the hair shaft for 15-30 minutes to replenish the moisture of your strands.
STEP 3 MOISTURIZE - Moisture Magnet Sea Moss Curl Cream
Medium/Normal porosity hair can benefit from a daily moisturizing conditioner. Apply this leave in, after conditioning or daily before styling.
STEP 4 STYLE - (1) Sea Slip Mineral Infused Curl Jelly and/or (2) Nourish and Shine Sea Moss Foam
CURLS Styling products can be used on your Medium/Normal porosity hair. Choose your favorite styler or cocktail the two. Both of these products will help shield the cuticle, protecting against the release of too much moisture.
What is High Porosity?
This hair type takes in moisture at a rapid rate but can also lose moisture just as readily. Therefore, the goal for this hair type is to find a way to obtain and hold moisture. Regularly scheduled deep conditioning treatments are needed to improve the condition of the hair. It is important for this hair type to rinse conditioners out with cool water and seal the hair shaft after using a moisturizing leave in conditioner. This hair type is particularly prone to chemical and heat damage and requires extra care. Note - high porosity hair could be genetic or as a result of hair damage.
Unsure of what your porosity is, take a strand test by dropping a strand of hair into a glass of water and observing its behavior.
- Low porosity hair will take a long time to sink to the bottom of the glass of water, if at all. – absorbs water with difficulty.
- Normal porosity hair will sink at a medium pace, not too fast or too slow. This hair may drop to the middle of the glass - absorbs some water.
- High porosity hair will sink quickly to the bottom - readily absorbs water.
High Porosity Hair Products from The Sea Moss Collection:
STEP 1 CLEANSE - Powerhouse Sea Moss Cleanser
High Porosity does not need any help receiving moisture, but it still needs a good cleaning! Cleanse your strands and proceed to conditioning.
STEP 2 CONDITION: - 92 Mineral Grow & Glow Conditioner
High porosity hair needs overall conditioning to provide structure to the strands. Apply the conditioner and leave on your strands for up to 15 minutes and rinse. No additional heat needed.
STEP 3 MOISTURIZE - Moisture Magnet Sea Moss Curl Cream
High porosity hair can benefit from a moisturizing leave in conditioner as needed. Apply this natural hair curl cream, after conditioning or before styling on days you need a little extra moisture. Be sure to follow this step with a styler or a light oil to hold in the moisture.
STEP 4 STYLE - (1) Sea Slip Mineral Infused Curl Jelly and/or (2) Nourish and Shine Sea Moss Foam
CURLS Styling products can be used on your high porosity hair. Choose your favorite styler or cocktail the two. This final step will have your curls looking good while sealing the moisture within the cuticle layer.
All textured hair types are concerned about how much or how little moisture they have. Regardless of your hair type, this information could just be the gamechanger to your hair care routine. CURLS provides all the porosity balancing solutions your hair needs at www.curls.com!