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Porous hair brings a lot of trouble and worries to their owners. So that these efforts are not in vain, we have compiled a hair care program with a porous structure.
What is hair porosity
In porous hair, the scales do not fit tightly enough, or even bristle at all, forming micro-breaks on the surface of the hair. With high porosity, the hair is very quickly saturated with moisture (literally sucks water into itself), but just as quickly loses it. Therefore, the main distinguishing feature of porous hair is dryness, with all the ensuing consequences, such as:
fading;
lifelessness (hair “like straw”);
confusion.
How to check hair porosity?
Tightly hold the hair between the tips of the index and thumb and, sliding the pads along the length, move up towards the root. If you feel bumps, roughness under your fingers or hear a squeak, then the hair is porous.
There is another test from the “young chemist” series – to check the porosity of the hair, after combing, you need to collect the hair that remains on the comb or brush and lower it into a glass of water. If the hair settles to the bottom in less than 2 minutes, it is very porous. Porosity tests are carried out on clean and dry hair without care and styling products.
What is your personal haircode? Find out right now!
Why hair becomes porous: 6 reasons
However, porosity, especially increased, can also be an acquired quality, regardless of whether your hair is straight or curly. We will tell you what factors can disrupt the density of the cuticle and provoke or aggravate hair porosity:
chemical effects – coloring (especially lightening), waving;
styling with the help of thermal devices (ironing, curling irons); a scientific study was even carried out on this topic: contact with hot metal softens hair proteins, which leads to the formation of pores, and their number increases intensively with an increase in temperature above 190 ˚С;
frequent drying with a hot hair dryer;
use of a metal comb;
ultraviolet;
chlorinated or hard tap water.
How to care for porous hair: tips from professionals
In short, all actions should be aimed at moisturizing the hair, filling voids and retaining this moisture by smoothing the cuticle scales.
Below we will tell you in detail how to care for porous hair, and share the tips of professionals.
Healthy-Food expert, dermatologist and trichologist Maria Nevskaya recommends choosing special care products that include keratin, proteins (proteins) and lipids (oils).
If you’re struggling with porous hair and don’t know what to do or how to take care of it, follow our guide and check out our selection of Healthy-Food’s best porous hair products.
Shampoo
As everyone knows, care begins with proper cleansing. The main rule when cleansing porous hair is to do no harm. That is, you need to choose mild shampoos that do not disturb the cuticle, preferably with a moisturizing function, and ideally with keratin content. If the hair is not too thin, and the scalp is not prone to oiliness, a sulfate-free shampoo will do.
Shampoo for damaged hair Fructis Superfood “Papaya, recovery”, Garnier
The shampoo forms a light foam, cleans well, but not to the point of squeaking. According to our observation, it does not dry hair at all, smells good and consists of 98% ingredients of natural origin – this is a fact.
Shampoo-care 3-in-1 Elseve “Total recovery 5”, L’Oréal Paris
As befits a sulfate-free shampoo, it does not form foam, cleanses very delicately, and cares for the hair. Worth a try for those with very porous hair.
Reconstructive shampoo for weakened and damaged hair Dercos Kera-Solution, Vichy
Helps to restore the surface of the hair along the entire length already at the stage of cleansing, contains soothing ingredients and is suitable for sensitive scalp. It is recommended to use together with a mask – it will be discussed below.
Balm
Applying a moisturizing, smoothing and softening balm/conditioner is an essential part of home porous hair care, and we know which products are worth your attention.
Moisturizing balm Elseve “Hyaluron Filler”, L’Oréal Paris
Balm with hyaluronic acid literally fills the hair with moisture. Given that the hyaluronic acid molecule retains water 1000 times its own weight, you can count on a powerful moisturizing effect and smoothing the cuticle, which is especially important for porous hair. Moisturized hair is easy to comb, become elastic and dense.
Balm conditioner Fructis Superfood “Nutrition. Banana” for very dry hair, Garnier
The fragrant and nourishing balm immediately penetrates the hair, fills it with moisture and smoothes the surface, makes it silky, makes combing easier – in just a couple of minutes.
Conditioner with amino acids for all hair types Amino Acid Conditioner, Kiehl’s
This conditioner contains amino acids, wheat protein, coconut and jojoba oils, which means that it is the right place in our selection of products for porous hair.
Mask
Recall that the mask as a means of intensive care is used 1-2 times a week, or even less often – each product has its own application schedule. If you wash your hair every 3-5 days, you can use the mask every other time. Usually the mask is applied for 5-7 minutes, sometimes the exposure time is shorter (2 minutes, like an air conditioner or balm), sometimes longer. In any case, it is worth following the instructions and not overdoing the mask, this is especially important for porous hair – they will quickly absorb the healing composition and be able to properly dispose of it.
Fructis Superfood Hair Mask “Papaya. Recovery” for damaged hair, Garnier
This tool can be used as a mask, and as a conditioner, and as a leave-in care. As a mask, it intensively moisturizes the hair, and most importantly – without weighing it down. Shine and silkiness are included.
Express mask with a complex of prokeratin, reconstructing the surface of the hair, Dercos Kera-Solution, Vichy
It is applied in just two minutes – that’s how long the mask takes to carry out restoration work and take care of the hair, which after using the product becomes shiny, smooth and more protected.
Rescue mask Elseve “Length of a dream”, L’Oréal Paris
Formulated with vegetable keratin, proteins and oils, this mask strengthens and detangles hair in just a few minutes.
Botanicals Fresh Care Dry Hair Mask Argan & Wild Saffron. Nutrition Extract, L’Oréal Paris
A mask with saffron, soy and coconut oils, without silicones and dyes, will help your hair regain softness and smoothness. 98% of the formula is natural ingredients and 98% of the formula is biodegradable. This is what responsible approach to beauty means.
Leave-in care
Leavins, or livins (Leave-in Conditioner), are applied to wet or dry hair, forming a protective barrier – they smooth the cuticle, preventing dehydration, and add shine to the hair.
Leave-in cream Fructis SOS “Hair Rescuer 10-in-1”, Garnier
This multifunctional cream restores, softens, and adds shine, and – attention! – Protects hair during heat styling. We will not list all 10 of its useful properties. The main thing is that all this without unnecessary stress on the hair.
Cream from fragility Elseve “Checked with a comb. Ultra Strength, L’Oréal Paris
Another heat-protective formula with a firming effect.
Express conditioner double elixir “Total recovery 5”, L’Oréal Paris
The two-phase formula has a pronounced smoothing and protective effect. Performs its functions literally with brilliance!
Leave-In Hair Care Damage Repairing & Rehydrating Leave-In Treatment, Kiehl’s
Oils, ceramide, hyaluronic acid will help hair retain moisture, look smoother and shinier. Apply to damp hair after washing, before styling products.
Oil
How to add shine to porous hair? Use hair oil. In addition to shine, it will give the hair silkiness, protect them from external influences. It will also help to unravel the strands – everything will really go like clockwork.
Elseve Hair Oil “Extraordinary Perfecting” for all hair types, L’Oréal Paris
A cocktail with vegetable oils and extracts does not weigh down the hair and gives them a wonderful aroma.
Oil for smoothness and radiance Botanic Therapy “Argan oil and camellia extract”, Garnier
Oil with camellia extract and argan oil can also be useful for porous hair, it will allow them to avoid dryness and dullness.
How to remove porosity in hair with salon care
When it comes to hair porosity, acquired as a result of various kinds of damage (we talked about the possible causes at the very beginning), the best way to remove it is to regularly trim the damaged strands, growing healthy hair.
However, even this radical method does not exclude salon care, which will help porous hair look bright, shiny, silky.
Revitalizing care
Most professional brands have a damaged hair repair program. Usually this is an intensive treatment using masks, serums based on proteins and amino acids, which are able to fill gaps in the cuticle and smooth the scales. Every company has its own secret.
Lamination
Quite a radical way to give hair smoothness. The surface of each hair is sealed with a kind of film that covers the scales. Procedure for an amateur. Curly categorically does not fit.
Botox for hair
Not to be confused with injections. Here, a serum is used that intensively restores hair, and a composition is applied on top that works directly with the cuticle. The effect should last at least two months.
Beauty secrets for styling porous hair
To make porous hair smoother, place strands between your palms and smoothing movements apply all care and styling products from top to bottom, from roots to ends, that is, along the cuticle, as if sealing the beneficial substances in the hair.
Do not rub your hair with a towel – to dry it before styling, blot with gentle movements so as not to disturb the cuticles and not provoke dryness and tangles in the hair.
Do not use a hot hair dryer – high temperatures sooner or later lead to dryness, brittleness, dullness. Can you blow dry porous hair? Only in barely warm or cold air mode.
If you can’t do without heating devices, be sure to use thermal protection products – this way you can prevent dry hair and, as a result, their dullness.
For porous, severely damaged “loose” hair, regularly trim the ends that usually suffer the most, or use products specifically for split ends.