Does deep conditioning help dull and porous hair?

If maintaining your hair is a priority for you, then conditioning your mane is an important step in your hair care routine. For some, hair care may seem like a mundane task, but there is more to it than what meets the eye.

What is Hair Porosity?

There are a plethora of features that can be used to categorize and distinguish hair. The texture, length, scalp definition, moisture content, pattern and fineness are all things that most people know about.

The porosity of hair is a concept that many people are unfamiliar with. The ability of hair to absorb and retain moisture is referred to as porosity. Identifying the porosity of one's hair will help in improving your hair health and texture significantly.

You can assess the porosity of your hair by following a few simple procedures. It would be beneficial if you considered the following tests:

The H2O Test— All you'll need for the H2O test is a few strands of hair and a glass of water. Place the strands on a non-porous surface and spritz your hair with water. Keep a close eye on how your hair responds. If the porosity is high it absorbs water quickly. If the porosity is low it takes a long time to absorb the water.

The Shedding Hair Test— A glass of water and your hair is required for this shedding hair test. Drop a strand of your hair into a glass of water to complete this test. If your hair has low porosity, the strand floats. If your hair has a high porosity, it sinks.

What is high porosity hair?

Understanding the structure of your hair may help you comprehend hair porosity.

Each strand of your hair is made up of three layers:

• Cuticle

• Cortex

• Medulla

The cuticles on the outermost layer of your hair shaft are too small to see with the naked eye. These cuticles safeguard your hair's inner layers by limiting the amount of moisture absorption.

If the cuticles are too close and prevent moisture from being absorbed, then the hair has low porosity.

If the moisture can readily get into the hair, the cuticles are too far apart. If it doesn't stay long enough to nourish then the hair has high porosity.

Hair with high porosity could be hereditary. Hair processing and using styling products frequently like straightening, blow-drying, bleaching, and other chemical applications can also be causes for high porosity.

What are the characteristics of high porosity hair?

Hair with high porosity absorbs moisture and oils quickly. It is prone to over absorption because the cuticles are too far apart. Here are some of the distinguishing features of this hair type:

• Rarely looks shiny

• Absorbs and takes up colour well

• Is prone to breakage

• Tangles easily

• Can't retain moisture and is often dry

• Takes a long time to dry

• Is prone to split ends

If most of these characteristics apply to your hair, it likely has high porosity. High porosity hair is also indistinguishable from low porosity hair. All you have to remember is to tailor your treatment and conditioning routine suitable to the hair features, and you'll be good. You ought to:

1. Use Oily Conditioners

Consider utilizing conditioners that are high in oils when conditioning high porosity hair. These can assist your hair to retain more moisture by filling in the crevices between the cuticles. 

2. Make Deep Conditioning Your Friend

Deep conditioning solutions that balance moisture and protein will go a long way in helping make your porous hair healthy. For example, you can opt for the Schwarzkopf conditioner, which is a suitable product for porous hair. Moisture in it will help to alleviate the dryness associated with porosity, while protein will help in healing breakage and split ends. 

3. Consider Protein Treatments

Hair with high porosity is prone to damage. You can notice this by the breaking, thinning, and splitting that this hair type is known for. Adding a protein treatment with products from Schwarzkopf into your conditioning routine will help in revitalizing your hair.