The porosity of your hair is a characteristic that is determined by how quickly moisture and oils are absorbed by your curls. Your curls will fit into one or a combination of three categories - high, medium and low.
The porosity of your curls are genetic, but can also be affected by environmental factors, heat tools and chemical processes.
High Porosity
High porosity curls have raised and/or damaged cuticles. Once damaged, the cuticle cannot be repaired but the holes can be ‘patched’ using the right ingredients, protein being particularly effective.
Characteristics
Your curls will get wet quickly so you won’t need to spend long under the shower before you start to cleanse. However, moisture will leave your hair quickly, so your curls will have started to dry before you have applied any leave-conditioner or styling products.
Product Recommendations
High porosity curls will feel soft and silky conditioning with our Quinoa Repair Deep Conditioner and Açaí Berry Fix Defining Gel. They both contain hydrolyzed Quinoa which is a complete protein. For really thirsty curls, layer Babassu Quench Leave-In Curl Primer beneath your styler.
Low Porosity
Low porosity curls will feel smooth between your fingers. The cuticle scales are tight and lie flat so they tend to look more shiny and smooth as the light bounces off them easily. The difficulty with low porosity curls is that they can be resistant to conditioning products.
Characteristics
Curls take longer to get wet so you may have to stand under the shower head for a bit longer before applying your cleanser. Your curls will also take longer to dry as they will hold onto the moisture.
Product Recommendations
Protein can build-up more on low porosity hair but fine hair generally loves it. Alternating the Quinoa Repair Deep Conditioner (protein) and the Coconut Almond Detangling Conditioner (moisture) should keep low porosity curls in balance.
Low porosity (usually fine curls) will style more effectively without a leave-in conditioner. Skip this step and head straight to the Papaya Slip Taming Potion or Bamboo Ginseng Curling Glaze.
Medium Porosity
As you would expect, this lies somewhere in between the high and low!
