Why it's important to know your curls' porosity

Every type of curl is unique, and understanding your hair’s porosity is key to getting the most out of your curl care routine. In other words: Knowing your curl porosity is the first step toward giving your curls the right care so you can go about your day with healthy, shiny curls.

What is hair porosity?

Simply put, porosity refers to your curls’ ability to absorb water and, more importantly, retain moisture. There are three ways to determine your curl type’s porosity.
(FYI: The options are: low, medium, and high.)

1. The Strand Test

Take a strand of hair from different parts of your head between your fingers and run your fingers along the hair from the tip toward the roots. If your fingers glide easily along the hair and it feels firm and hard, you have low porosity. If your hair feels smooth and you can easily slide your fingers upward, you have normal porosity. However, if your hair feels rough or dry and breaks easily, you have high porosity.

2. The Test with the Shed Hair

Another way to check your curls for porosity is to take a strand of hair that fell out while you were combing and place it in a glass of water. If the hair floats on top, you have low porosity. If your hair sinks slowly to the bottom, your hair has “normal” porosity. But if it sinks quickly to the bottom, you have high porosity.

3. The Water Spray Test

To determine your hair’s porosity, you can also spray a little water onto a section of your curls and observe how your hair reacts. If your hair absorbs the water quickly, that’s a sign of high porosity. However, if it simply stays on the hair, that’s an indicator of low porosity.

While these three tests are a good starting point for determining its porosity, there are other signs you should look out for:

Characteristics of low-porosity curls:           

• Curls take a long time to dry.
• The skincare products tend to "build up" rather than be absorbed.
• Natural oils do not immediately penetrate the hair, but instead remain "on the strands"
• The curls take a relatively long time to fully absorb the water once you wet them.

Characteristics of curls with normal porosity:    

• The curls are bouncy and springy.
• Curls require relatively little "maintenance."
• The curls easily absorb moisture and retain it.
• The curls hold their shape easily and take dye well.

Characteristics of high-porosity curls:

• Curly hair absorbs water quickly, but it needs more product
• The curls often feel dry and look that way too
• The curls are often frizzy
• Dry your curls quickly

Now that we know how to determine your curl type, let’s take a look at what each curl type needs.

The Right Curl Care for Different Porosity Levels

The Right Curl Care for High Porosity

Curls with low porosity have very compact cuticles, which makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate the hair. But there’s good news: once the curls are hydrated, they retain moisture very well. To help the cuticles open up, you can follow these tips:  

• Heat is your friend. Use restorative deep treatments under a hair dryer or a shower cap wrapped in a towel to trap even more heat under the plastic cap. The heat opens the hair cuticles, allowing the products to penetrate more effectively.
• Distribute the product evenly throughout your curls, and don't use too much.
• Apply the products to damp or (sopping) wet hair.
• Use sulfate-free shampoo and products containing apple cider vinegar, or make your own apple cider vinegar rinses to remove product buildup from your curls. (Due to the hair’s texture, buildup forms quickly.)

At lockenkopf ,you'll find all the products designed specifically for low-porosity curls. 

The Right Curl Care for Normal Porosity

Curly hair with normal porosity has compact cuticles that easily allow moisture to penetrate.

• Regular deep conditioning treatments help keep your curls well-nourished.

The Right Care for Curly Hair with High Porosity

Dry, parched curls need products that help them absorb as much moisture as possible. Follow these tips to boost your curls' hydration:

•  Don't use heat. It's best to let your curls air dry.
• Use deep-conditioning treatments (curl masks) regularly, and finish your curl routine with leave-in and/or styling products that are moisturizing
• Finish your hair care routine by rinsing with cold water—the colder, the better. (Cold water closes the hair cuticles and helps your curls retain moisture better.)
• Gently detangle your hair using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to prevent breakage and hair loss.
• Finish with products that help your curls retain moisture.

At lockenkopf ,you'll find all the products designedspecifically for high-porositycurls. 

 Texture, elasticity, density, and porosity are all indicators of your curl type. Now that you know which type you are, try to care for your curls accordingly to help your hair regain its natural shine.

"If you have any questions about choosing products, please send me an email or a WhatsApp message, and I'll be happy to help you select the right ones. To give you the best advice, I'd appreciate it if you could send me a photo of your curls along with your questions."

Well, that's all from me for now. See you soon, my dear curly-haired friends.

Warm regards

Rosa Maria