Take a hair porosity test at home that costs $0 and tells you a lot about your hair and how to treat it.
Hair Stretch Test
The hair stretch test determines your hair elasticity and also uncovers what your hair is missing- moisture, protein or a combo of both. This test will help you choose the right products for your hair type.
Gather a few strands on your head or a few out of your hair brush. Hold the strand in the middle, a few inches apart, and lightly pull. Normal hair will stretch up to 30%.
Low porosity hair does not stretch or stretches and breaks
Normal porosity hair will stretch up to 30% and bounce back
High porosity hair stretches and does not return to its original form
What is hair porosity?
Hair porosity refers to the condition of the outer layer of the hair called the cuticle. How tightly closed the layers of the cuticle are determines how easily hair absorbs and holds moisture.
Frizz happens when thirsty hair looks for moisture molecules in the atmosphere. Choosing the right hair moisturizer for your hair porosity is key to fighting frizz and using the wrong one will fall flat.
You know you have Low Porosity Hair if
o Tight, closed hair often feels heavy or dense
o Healthy hair that is not being moisturized correctly
o Takes forever to dry when wet
o Feels dry, prone to frizz
o Prone to product build up on hair and scalp
o Using the wrong moisturizers – products can’t pass through the cuticle layer and end up sitting on top
Low Porosity Hair Care
If the hair does not stretch at all or stretches and breaks the hair is not being moisturized correctly. Often hair is healthy but heavy products are not penetrating below the cuticle and causing build up.
Shampoo
· Sulfate-free shampoo look for words like ‘hydrating, humectant’
· Rotate in a good deep cleaning shampoo to remove scalp and product build up - look for words like ‘exfoliate, detox, or clarify’
Conditioning
· Look for ingredients like glycerin and honey
· Apply conditioner to hair that’s already wet. Diluting the conditioner with water makes it easier to be absorbed
· Use warm water when cleansing to help open the cuticle then after conditioning do a final rinse with cooler water to close the cuticle.
Treatments
· Avoid heavy oils or ‘butters’
· Heat – heat helps with moisture absorption so if you don’t have a steam towel try coating hair with a hydrating mask or light oil and tucking it under a shower cap for 15 minutes before showering. The heat from your scalp under the shower cap will quench thirsty strands.
· Avocado or Jojoba oil – not all oils can penetrate low porosity hair but these can. For extra dry hair, coat hair mids and ends nightly with a light oil. Only use products made for hair. Using non-hair oils may make hair worse.
Salon Service
· Scalp Scrub
· Anti-Frizz Treatment
You Have Normal Porosity hair if
o Hair cuticles are slightly raised – hair can absorb moisture and can also hold on to it.
o This hair is the easiest to manage, holds a style well and has little frizz.
Normal Porosity Hair Care
· Use a deep conditioning mask to maintain your hair health
· The best mask will detoxify and moisturize
· Look for products with words like ‘shea butter, clay’ – clay will gently remove impurities while shea butter will hydrate hair the best
You know you have high porosity hair if
· Hair stretches then falls limp
· Difficult holding a style
· High porosity hair cuticles are open and rough, making it easy for product and moisture to get in, but product and moisture quickly escape.
· Usually highlighted, colored, often heat styled using flat irons and curlers
High Porosity Hair Care
· Avoid hot water when shampooing and conditioning. Use lukewarm cool water instead to keep the cuticle smooth
· Apply products to damp, but not soaked hair and evenly distribute small amounts of product.
Always use minimal heat or none at all when dealing with high porosity hair. Dry the hair naturally if possible
Treatments
· Your hair is lacking protein from sun, chemical damage or hot tools - look for products that have proteins such as Biotin
· Dry hair look for moisturizers in the form butters and oils
· Use leave-in conditioners and sealers – this will help you with detangling and help hair hold on to moisture. If your hair is greasy swap your shower conditioner for a leave-in instead.
· Look for a leave-in conditioner with a heat protectant and UV filter. Be sure to use when blow drying, flat ironing or curling.
Salon Service
· Protein Bond Protection
