This may or may not be the first time you are reading about porosity, but you will find that it is very simple to understand. Each strand of hair is covered by cuticles (layers of scales that overlap throughout the strand of the hair). The amount of moisture your hair strands can absorb and release (or in other words the porosity of your hair) is determined by how flat/closed or raised/open the cuticle scales are. There are 3 types of Porosity.

Low Porosity : Low porosity hair has cuticles that are nearly flat. This makes it extremely difficult for moisture to enter or exit each hair shaft. Even though this type of hair is still pretty healthy, low porosity hair is more susceptible to build up, especially with too much high protein conditioners and hair products. Water based conditioners that moisturize and soften do wonders for low porosity hair. 

 

Medium Porosity : Medium porosity hair has cuticles that are not too raised or too flat, but is at a midway angle between the two that allows the absorption of just the right amount of moisture to enter and just the right amount to exit. This is the ideal hair porosity.

 

High Porosity : High porosity hair has cuticles that are extremely raised. High porosity hair is more of an indicator of damage than the other two porosities. A lot of moisture is absorbed, but too much moisture is allowed to exit. An individual can be born with this type of hair, but it can also be the result of considerable damage from heat, perming, effects from the environment (weather), harsh treatment, etc.  

 

So how do you improve your hair porosity? Through a great moisture/protein balanced hair regimen.

 

The regimen calendar in our book "Guide to growing long natural hair", provided in this book, is suitable for all porosity types. This regimen creates a perfect balance of moisture and protein for the hair strands, which results in maximum health for all porosity types. Catherine Marion hair products do not contain protein (instead we promote separate protein treatments). This allows for the products to fit all hair types and prevents overconsumption of protein by the hair. We have formulated perfectly balanced products with natural humectants (moisturizers) like glycerin and aloe vera, which draw just enough moisture from the air and into the hair shaft. These products are compatible with low, medium and high porosity hair. We also offer light oils that can penetrate any hair shaft and are great at moisturizing. 

 

To learn more, shop our book GUIDE TO GROWING LONG NATURAL HAIR.