Many people believe that color-treated hair automatically means high porosity. However, this is not always the case. In fact, hair can be color-treated and have low porosity.
It is essential to understand what hair porosity is and how it affects color-treated hair.
Understanding Hair Porosity: A Quick Overview
Hair porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. It depends on the hair’s ability to absorb water, oils, and other products.
There are three types of hair porosity; low, normal, and high. Low porosity hair has a tightly packed cuticle that makes it challenging for moisture to penetrate. Normal porosity hair absorbs moisture and products easily. High porosity hair absorbs moisture quickly but struggles to retain it.
The Effect of Hair Dye on Hair Porosity
Hair dye lifts the hair cuticles to deposit color. This process can cause damage to the hair cuticle, making it more porous. In some cases, the hair cuticle may not close entirely after the color treatment, resulting in high porosity.
However, this is not always the case. The porosity level of color-treated hair depends on individual hair types and how well the hair was prepared before the color treatment.
How to Check Your Hair Porosity at Home
If you are unsure of your hair porosity level, there is a simple test you can do at home. Take a strand of clean hair and place it in a glass of water. Leave it for a few minutes and observe the hair. If it sinks to the bottom, you have high porosity hair. If it floats in the middle, you have normal porosity hair. If it stays afloat on top, you have low porosity hair.
| Hair Porosity Level | Water Test Result |
|---|---|
| High Porosity | Sinks to the bottom |
| Normal Porosity | Floats in the middle |
| Low Porosity | Stays afloat on top |
Treatments for Low Porosity Hair
Low porosity hair requires specific products and treatments to penetrate the hair cuticle effectively. Use lightweight products that won’t weigh down your hair. Heat is also a great way to open up the hair cuticle and allow products to penetrate. Use a hair steamer or a warm towel to help your hair receive the treatment better.
The Dos and Don’ts of Low Porosity Hair Care
DO use lightweight products that will not weigh down your hair. DO use heat to open up the hair cuticle and allow products to penetrate. DON’T use heavy oils or butters that can sit on top of your hair without penetrating. DON’T use cold water when washing your hair, as it can cause the cuticle to stay closed.
Can You Color Treated Low Porosity Hair?
Yes, you can! Color-treated low porosity hair will require additional preparation before the color treatment. Use a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup and ensure that your hair is clean. Follow up with a deep conditioning treatment to prepare your hair for the color treatment. Use a color depositing conditioner to maintain and refresh your hair color between salon visits.
Expert Tips for Maintaining Low Porosity Color Treated Hair
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner to keep your hair hydrated.
- Use a leave-in conditioner to prevent breakage and keep your hair moisturized.
- Deep condition your hair regularly to maintain its strength and elasticity.
- Use heat protectant products when using heat styling tools.
- Protect your hair from the sun’s UV rays with a hat or hair serum with SPF.
- Avoid over-manipulating your hair to prevent breakage.
- Schedule regular trims to prevent split ends.
