UNDERSTAND YOUR HAIR TYPE AND HAIR POROSITY
Hair Types:
Straight Hair: Straight hair is characterized by its smooth and sleek appearance, with strands that typically lack significant curl or wave.
Wavy Hair: Wavy hair falls somewhere between straight and curly hair, with gentle waves or loose curls that add volume and texture.
Curly Hair: Curly hair has well-defined curls or coils, ranging from loose to tight, and often tends to be frizzy or prone to dryness.
Coily Hair: Coily hair, also referred to as kinky or afro-textured hair, consists of tight coils or densely packed curls that can vary in size and shape.
Hair.
HAIR POROSITY
Hair porosity refers to the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. It is determined by the hair’s cuticle, which is the outermost layer of the hair shaft. The cuticle can have varying degrees of openness, affecting how easily moisture can pass in and out of the hair strand. There are three main categories of hair porosity:
1. Low Porosity Hair: Low porosity hair has a tightly packed cuticle layer, making it more resistant to moisture absorption. The tightly closed cuticles make it challenging for water or products to penetrate the hair shaft. As a result, low porosity hair tends to repel water and can take longer to dry. It may also be prone to product buildup. Care for low porosity hair involves using lightweight, water-based products and incorporating heat during deep conditioning treatments to help open the cuticles.
2. Medium Porosity Hair: Medium porosity hair has a balanced porosity level, with the cuticle layer allowing moisture to enter and exit the hair strand effectively. It retains moisture reasonably well and is generally easy to manage. Medium porosity hair requires regular moisturizing and can benefit from a variety of hair care products and techniques.
3. High Porosity Hair: High porosity hair has gaps or openings in the cuticle layer, allowing moisture to enter and leave the hair strand easily. This type of hair tends to absorb moisture quickly but loses it just as fast, resulting in dryness and frizz. High porosity hair is more prone to damage, breakage, and tangling. It benefits from deep conditioning treatments, leave-in conditioners, and sealing the cuticles with oils or butter to help retain moisture.
Understanding your hair’s porosity can help guide your hair care routine and product selection. It allows you to choose the right moisturizers, sealants, and treatments to maintain optimal moisture balance and overall hair health.