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Proper hair care is a well-known topic that each of us knows a lot about. However, it often happens that a basic hair care is not enough and the hair becomes dull, dry and hard. The problem of hair porosity can effectively hinder the proper functioning and styling of the hair.

Hair porosity

Each healthy hair has a surface consisting of tightly fitting cuticles. They trap water inside the hair. They also support hydration and protect the hair from damage. An increased porosity occurs when the hair cuticles are parted. The hair then becomes dry and the probability of mechanical damage increases. High and medium porosity of hair may be genetically determined. Natural porosity occurs for curly hair, but acquired porosity is more common. It is caused by improper care, hair dyeing, straightening and frequent drying with hot air.

hair porosity

Hair porosity occurs in three states. Accordingly, the hair is divided into:

  • Low porosity hair – hair considered generally healthy, and the cuticles are closely aligned with each other. Such hair is resistant to any styling, does not want to style and has a problem with absorbing water. On the other hand, this type of hair is less resistant to damage. This type of hair is considered the healthiest because it is not frizzy, static and shiny – these elements are visible at first glance. So low porosity hair is difficult to make wet, and when it absorbs water, it dries for a very long time.
  • High porosity hair – the complete opposite of low porosity hair. They absorb everything with great ease and give everything just as willingly. These are hair, that can be easily wet and it takes just a moment to dry. The big disadvantage of such hair is that it is in poor condition – it is damaged, dry and easily frizzy .
  • Medium porosity hair – it is a mixture of low and high porosity hair. It is the most common type of hair that many people have. However, it is easy to destroy the good condition of such hair through improper care and frequent coloring.

hair porosity test

Hair oiling

The topic of hair porosity goes hand in hand with hair oiling. The ability to recognize hair porosity is useful not only when choosing a hair oil, but also when buying other cosmetics – shampoos, conditioners, masks.

Oil treatment is a particularly recommended method of care when dealing with problems with hair porosity. It is a method of applying a properly adjusted oil to the hair, the treatment should last about 2 hours, then wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo. Hair oiling is a proven way to improve its condition – it makes it smooth and shiny.

There are many hair oiling methods, and the basic ones include wet and dry oiling. The second one consists in thoroughly applying the oil to dry hair, before washing it. The wet method requires that the hair is wet before applying the oil.

The appearance of the first reults of hair oiling is an individual matter and depends on the condition of the hair. Sometimes differences can be noticed after the first hair oiling treatment. It also happens that the effects are visible only after several months or even a year. Some changes happen at a faster and others at a slower pace. The most important element is choosing the right oil for the porosity of the hair and consistency in use.

Hair care of different types of porosity

Low porosity hair – does not require special care as it is usually healthy and looks good. It is best to use cosmetics with a light consistency. It is recommended to avoid silicones and other “adhesives”. Such cosmetics are most often used on the ends of the hair or, in the cooler, winter months. This protects rubbing against the hat and scarf. Suitable oils that will work well for low porosity hair include: coconut oil, palm oil, argan oil, as well as shea butter.

Medium porosity hair – averaged and moderate care – use light cosmetics with a rich texture. The selection of cosmetics is based on trial and error, because it is not clear what will suit a particular person best. It is rare to find ingredients that would particularly harm such hair. It is especially recommended to try coconut oil, macadamia oil and sesame oil.

High porosity hair – most often it is the result of improper hair care and styling with high temperature devices. These are damaged and visibly dry hair, that is often frizzy and difficult to tame. Highly concentrated cosmetics with lots of proteins show a very good effect on this type of hair. Oils, such as pumpkin seeds, hemp and grape seed oils are recommended.

Medical consultation

When observing the problem related to hair, excessive brittleness, brittleness and frizz, it is also worth taking advantage of a trichological consultation. Sometimes, what at first glance seems to be a minor problem may have its cause elsewhere. So let’s find out about the cause of this problem at the beginning and implement appropriate treatment and care, which will be facilitated by a medical consultation.

During the visit, a detailed medical interview and a trichoscopic examination are conducted, which are the basis for diagnosing scalp diseases.

Diet – the basis of hair care

The basic element that affects the condition of the hair is primarily the diet. It should be balanced and provide the body with all the necessary nutrients to give the skin, hair and nails a healthy look. The diet should consist of foods rich in biotin, copper, zinc and selenium. Vitamins A and E are also of great importance, because they have a positive effect on the skin from which the hair grows.

Why is hair care so important?

Proper hair care directly contributes to their healthy appearance. By using incorrectly selected cosmetics or devices that generate high temperatures, it is very easy to damage the hair, causing the problem of high porosity, frizz and difficulties with styling. It is worth remembering to choose cosmetics, that match the type of hair porosity – otherwise they will be ineffective.

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