High Porosity 4a-4b please show us your length and share your regi

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I'm HP and retention is a daily challenge I need some inspiration.

Question? Does porosity only effect the damage hair strand?

So, if I bc'd why aren't the new strands normal porosity?


Question? For those transitioning, doesn't it mean you may have a line of demarcation between LP and HP?


Question? If your unsure about your porosity, should you err on the side of HP or LP?

 

[mshoneyfly]

IDK the answers to your ???s but I am HP. I just listen to my hair and learn to deal with what it dishes out. My hair dries really fast, straightens and processes quickly and is easily tangled. As long as I know what to expect, I can nurture as needed. Never considered the BC though.

I LOVE this HHJ!!

 

[loulou82]

My natural hair is high porosity- even without chemical alteration my hair displays all the signs of high porosity that mshoneyfly outlined (dries quickly. straightens and molds into styles easily, tangles; when relaxed it processed quickly). Yes, hair is oftentimes HP because of chemicals but it can also be a natural characteristic of your hair strands. Transitioning to natural hair did not normalize my porosity. In fact I feel I have to pay more attention and be more gentle to my natural hair than I did to my relaxed hair. I will say my efforts have paid off because my hair only grew to full SL while I have reached MBL with my natural hair.

I would err on the side of high porosity because a HP-oriented regimen consists of moisture and regular use of protein to help the strands accept moisture better as well as strengthen it. But I suggest paying attention to your hair and how it reacts to handling and products to determine if you are HP or LP.

 

[NGraceO]

Yes to this thread!!! Subbing.

NGraceO

 

[loulou82]

This is an old post I wrote relating to my hair. Some of the products have changed but the techniques have not:


Lately, I'v been pondering about my hair's characteristics and how that affects the products I've used and the way I handle my hair. A youtube video by Kimmaytube and a pH database thread on LHCF really challenged me to think about how I contribute to the appear and "health" of my hair. I would describe my hair as fine-stand, tightly coiled, naturally frizzy, medium density, prone to tangles, SSKs, and breakage, and, lastly, highly porous. But what does that mean in regards to its maintenance?

I've regularly looked for tips and techniques to help me with my hair but never really took what I knew about my hair and consciously researched how these characteristics related to each other. So far in the 4 years tracking my hair growth I have purchased dozens and dozens of products with hits and misses along the way. I've also tried many methods like loose hair, non-protective styling, protective styling (weave, wigs, twists, braids), baggying, frequent moisturizing, non-frequent moisturizing, etc. Basically I've taken a reactive instead of proactive approach to my hair care.

Success #1: Identifying my ideal pH

I viewed a Kimmaytube video in which she stated that certain pH's directly correlated to how she maintains her hair and how she can predict how her hair will look by the products used. I wanted to get to that level with my hair. So, I proceeded to read up on pH (knowing how dry and quickly my hair loses moisture) and made a running list off all the hair products that have been successful with my hair and noticed a trend... products (particularly conditioners and leave-ins) with a pH between 3-4 flattened out and smoothed my hair and kept it somewhat moisturized. This pH range is acidic and makes the stands compact by providing a positive charge and more hydrogen bonds between the keratin scales. My hair is overly porous and thus can lose up to 50% of its water content. It swells with water then loses it quickly. So it makes sense that my lifted cuticles respond so well to products that help smooth and lay them flat.

Success #2: Moisture and How to Seal Cuticles

Products with my ideal pH level tend to be formulated for dry, damaged, porous hair. As I reflect, I have actually been on the right track as far as moisturizing products go. I've had good results with AO White Camillia SMOOTHING Conditioner, Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner, and Giovanni SMOOTH as Silk Conditioner. (notice the smoothing trend). I will definitely go back to these products and add others that fit the bill. Next, I fell off from sealing but will re-introduce sealing with butters like sweet almond butter and hemp butter. I found a great article on how to make these butters from carrier oils and hydrogenated oils and will be experimenting. Additionally, I will use porosity controllers like Roux and ACV rinses to constrict my lifted/ porous cuticles.

Success #3: Understanding the Importance of Protein for Highly Porous Hair

Protein actually helps my hair by fortifying the hair cuticles and allowing the shaft to better hold onto the moisture it receives. A stronger hair shaft that is less prone to break will help me immensely with my split ends. I always knew my hair tolerated protein but didn't know why until now. My revamped regimen will include regular use of mild protein like Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor and AO Island Naturals Conditioner.

 

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Thanks for sharing.

This is an old post I wrote relating to my hair. Some of the products have changed but the techniques have not:


Lately, I'v been pondering about my hair's characteristics and how that affects the products I've used and the way I handle my hair. A youtube video by Kimmaytube and a pH database thread on LHCF really challenged me to think about how I contribute to the appear and "health" of my hair. I would describe my hair as fine-stand, tightly coiled, naturally frizzy, medium density, prone to tangles, SSKs, and breakage, and, lastly, highly porous. But what does that mean in regards to its maintenance?

I've regularly looked for tips and techniques to help me with my hair but never really took what I knew about my hair and consciously researched how these characteristics related to each other. So far in the 4 years tracking my hair growth I have purchased dozens and dozens of products with hits and misses along the way. I've also tried many methods like loose hair, non-protective styling, protective styling (weave, wigs, twists, braids), baggying, frequent moisturizing, non-frequent moisturizing, etc. Basically I've taken a reactive instead of proactive approach to my hair care.

Success #1: Identifying my ideal pH

I viewed a Kimmaytube video in which she stated that certain pH's directly correlated to how she maintains her hair and how she can predict how her hair will look by the products used. I wanted to get to that level with my hair. So, I proceeded to read up on pH (knowing how dry and quickly my hair loses moisture) and made a running list off all the hair products that have been successful with my hair and noticed a trend... products (particularly conditioners and leave-ins) with a pH between 3-4 flattened out and smoothed my hair and kept it somewhat moisturized. This pH range is acidic and makes the stands compact by providing a positive charge and more hydrogen bonds between the keratin scales. My hair is overly porous and thus can lose up to 50% of its water content. It swells with water then loses it quickly. So it makes sense that my lifted cuticles respond so well to products that help smooth and lay them flat.

Success #2: Moisture and How to Seal Cuticles

Products with my ideal pH level tend to be formulated for dry, damaged, porous hair. As I reflect, I have actually been on the right track as far as moisturizing products go. I've had good results with AO White Camillia SMOOTHING Conditioner, Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner, and Giovanni SMOOTH as Silk Conditioner. (notice the smoothing trend). I will definitely go back to these products and add others that fit the bill. Next, I fell off from sealing but will re-introduce sealing with butters like sweet almond butter and hemp butter. I found a great article on how to make these butters from carrier oils and hydrogenated oils and will be experimenting. Additionally, I will use porosity controllers like Roux and ACV rinses to constrict my lifted/ porous cuticles.

Success #3: Understanding the Importance of Protein for Highly Porous Hair

Protein actually helps my hair by fortifying the hair cuticles and allowing the shaft to better hold onto the moisture it receives. A stronger hair shaft that is less prone to break will help me immensely with my split ends. I always knew my hair tolerated protein but didn't know why until now. My revamped regimen will include regular use of mild protein like Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor and AO Island Naturals Conditioner.

 

[JulietWhiskey]

My 4a, superfine, below APL hair is highly porous: after washing my hair, my entire head dries in what feels like seconds but is really about 60 minutes.

First of all, I never shampoo. Shampoos, no matter how "gentle" dry the crap out of my already dryness prone hair. Instead, I co-wash weekly with Trader Joe's Tingle Treat Conditioner. It cleans my scalp, conditions my hair and smooths my cuticles for awesome detangling.

Secondly, I pH test ALL my products and use only those that are between 4.5 and 5.

My DC mix is Giovanni Nutrafix (protein), Giovanni Ultra Moist 2Chic Conditioner, Texas Natural Supply Creme Conditioner Base (protein) and Texas Natural Supply Lotion Base II. I also add vegetable glycerin, EVOO, and EVCO to my DC mix.

Aloe Vera Juice or gel is my bestie. I put some in a spray bottle with some distilled water and use it after a DC and before I moisturize and seal.

Protein is my BFF. My superfine hair needs it to be strong and my high porosity hair needs it to help retain moisture. I spray diluted Neutral Protein Filler on my freshly co-washed hair, sit under my hood dryer with a conditioning cap for 30 mintues on low, then rinse. I detangle with Cure Care Conditioner and follow up with Texas Natural Supply's Whipped Shea Aloe Emulsion to moisturize my hair and rebalance. I leave this on overnight and through-out the day then rinse and apply some TNS Lotion Base I and go to sleep with my satin cap. In the morning, I DC my hair.

I moisturize and seal every day but no less than every other day. Otherwise, my hair is a dry, HAM.

This is what I do for my hair NOW. Once I re-up from Texas Natural Supply, I will no longer need to use the AVJ/G on a regular basis since their products are already formulated to have a 4.9 pH. Instead, I will wet my hair with distilled water, use their products then seal.

Their products leave my hair soft, smooth, detangled and MOISTURIZED. And my DC mix is BOMB.

HTH!

 

[bellatiamarie]

This is an old post I wrote relating to my hair. Some of the products have changed but the techniques have

Thanks for sharing!! I have this hair... I cut almost 3 inches of hair last night because I'm so tired of the single strand knots... Hair is always dry... Smh... I'm at my wits end with this fussy, needy hair... It seems the longer my hair grows the more of a headache it becomes... I really want to simplify my life and my hair regimen but it seems impossible and I know for me when I'm having a "bad hair day" everything else in my life seems to go bad also which is why I then react by cutting my hair because I need to feel in control BOL... I promise I'm not crazy... Maybe a little LOL!

 

[loulou82]

bellatiamarie yes, this type of hair is needy lol. Gentle handling, moisture and protein and protection are the name of the game.

JulietWhiskey is on point that a 4.5-5 ph is great pH range.

Using the wrong shampoo can spell disaster also. I had setbacks causing dry tangly matted hair because of shampoos that stripped my hair to a squeaky clean mess.

 

[DarkJoy]

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Excellent thread OP!

 

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JulietWhiskey

Great info! Have you seen an increase in retention since you implemented this regi? Did you start your HHJ from a twa? Hair history please

My 4a, superfine, below APL hair is highly porous: after washing my hair, my entire head dries in what feels like seconds but is really about 60 minutes.

First of all, I never shampoo. Shampoos, no matter how "gentle" dry the crap out of my already dryness prone hair. Instead, I co-wash weekly with Trader Joe's Tingle Treat Conditioner. It cleans my scalp, conditions my hair and smooths my cuticles for awesome detangling.

Secondly, I pH test ALL my products and use only those that are between 4.5 and 5.

My DC mix is Giovanni Nutrafix (protein), Giovanni Ultra Moist 2Chic Conditioner, Texas Natural Supply Creme Conditioner Base (protein) and Texas Natural Supply Lotion Base II. I also add vegetable glycerin, EVOO, and EVCO to my DC mix.

Aloe Vera Juice or gel is my bestie. I put some in a spray bottle with some distilled water and use it after a DC and before I moisturize and seal.

Protein is my BFF. My superfine hair needs it to be strong and my high porosity hair needs it to help retain moisture. I spray diluted Neutral Protein Filler on my freshly co-washed hair, sit under my hood dryer with a conditioning cap for 30 mintues on low, then rinse. I detangle with Cure Care Conditioner and follow up with Texas Natural Supply's Whipped Shea Aloe Emulsion to moisturize my hair and rebalance. I leave this on overnight and through-out the day then rinse and apply some TNS Lotion Base I and go to sleep with my satin cap. In the morning, I DC my hair.

I moisturize and seal every day but no less than every other day. Otherwise, my hair is a dry, HAM.

This is what I do for my hair NOW. Once I re-up from Texas Natural Supply, I will no longer need to use the AVJ/G on a regular basis since their products are already formulated to have a 4.9 pH. Instead, I will wet my hair with distilled water, use their products then seal.

Their products leave my hair soft, smooth, detangled and MOISTURIZED. And my DC mix is BOMB.

HTH!

 

[JulietWhiskey]

@JulietWhiskey

Great info! Have you seen an increase in retention since you implemented this regi? Did you start your HHJ from a twa? Hair history please

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My hairstory is one of setbacks, trials, tragedies, triumphs and epiphanies, !

I've been natural for a very long time but because I didn't really know how to care for my hair and didn't embrace my hair texture I wore braids, Goddess Braids and kinky and yarn twists.

My hair grew very long (for me at least; well below bra strap when stretched) but because I didn't know how to care for it I never wore it out (girl, if I had that hair NOW you couldn't tell me NATHAN.)

I can't remember exactly when but sometime in the mid 2000s I got a texturizer and my hair looked great the first couple of touchups then started breaking like CRAZY. Like Kanye crazy. Probably due my high porosity...

I decided to transition back to natural using braids/twists. My hair returned to flourishing. I decided to come out from under the braids/twists, embrace my texture and found a wealth of info about healthy hair care practices, products, etc.

My epiphanies included adding protein to my reggie, using a good moisturizer, sealing, AVG, silk amino acids, glycerin, Tingle Treat, regular DCs. And my twistouts looked fabulous!

My hair thrived and once again was heading toward BBSL. And I adored my tiny coils, kinks and curls!

Then a scissor happy stylist cut about 5 inches from my hair.... Girl, all I wanted was a 1 inch trim and I even show this broad EXACTLY how much to trim...I guess she was mad that my hair was thriving because I was the only one doing it...and before someone suggests that maybe I needed that much cut, um, no. She even marveled at how healthy my ends were despite the fact that I hadn't had them trimmed in years. I believe and still believe to this day that this broad was drunk on haterade and I will NEVER let another stylist off in my head ever again...

Fast forward to 2009...decided to try Henna for thickening. Now, mind you, my hair was thickening due to regular doses of protein, but no, I had to go and mess with a regimen that was working. Henna straightend my hair so badly I looked like I had an underprocessed perm (probably because my hair is HIGHLY porous.). It also dried my hair out. . Mess was not cute.

Then I started using products with behentrionium methosulfate. I know many folk SWEAR by this ingredient for softening and detangling---but here's the catch. It acts very much like a silicone in that it builds up and is resistant to washing away, even with sulfates, which I don't use. So my hair was suffering from build up and build up causes dryness and well, you know the rest.

Then I got pregnant and suffered from TURRIBLE post-partum shedding. So my already thin hair looked even thinner.

I was depressed about my hair. To come all this way, for what? Then I had a thought. "Juliet Whiskey, " I said to myself, "think about when your hair was THRIVING. And go back to doing and using EXACTLY what you were using and doing then."

So I did. Ditched the henna. Ditched the BMTS. Went back to adding protein to my reggie, sealing, AVG, glycerin, Tingle Treat, regular DCs. And my twistouts once again looked fabulous! And my hair started thickening up!

Of course, I have tried and added a few new products (Texas Natural Supply) but I am VERY cautious about jumping on bandwagons and messing with my reggie. Tweaking is one thing but I've learned not to mess with what's working.

My hair is once again thriving, thickening and I should once again be below bra strap by the end of next year.

And this time, Lord willin', I plan to stay and keep growing from there!

HTH!

 

[bellatiamarie]

Are you ladies using tools to detangle or do you finger comb? Also, what type of protective styles are best and do you cowash?

 

[NGraceO]

Are you ladies using tools to detangle or do you finger comb? Also, what type of protective styles are best and do you cowash?

I have all but thrown away my combs. I feel like that's why iM Having so much trouble with my constantly splitting ends. When that hair was newer, I was an avid denman user.

Now I Finger detangle DRY, Stretched hair before I wash in braids. I noticed I get much more breakage than necessary. When doing it wet.

NGraceO

 

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Love to hear more from HP's

 

[Honey Bee]

My hair is past APL, fine-medium and texlaxed. My hhj has been a long and winding road, let me just say. I'm at a point now where I've figured out which methods my hair likes (so I'm not as dependent on a particular product), so I've been on a roll for most of this year.

Reggie

- I was dusting once a month, now I'm down to every 6-8 weeks. My hemline is finally starting to hold it's shape from one trim to another, that never happened before.

- Touch- ups: When I joined, I was a 'once a month' girl. I stretched it to 6, then 8, then 10. I'm around 20 weeks now, my longest stretch ever. I'd like to relax 3-4/yr.

- Fall/ Winter wash days, about once a week: Pre-poo with a moisturizing cond, shampoo, dc (a blend of whatever's around, but I always add a generous amount of Neutral Protein Filler). Occasionally, follow up with French Perm Stabilizer (2.5 pH). Allow to dry 60-70%, use Zoto's Porosity Equalizer + Sally's PM Super Skinny serum knock off (the 'LO' in LOC), finger detangle, air dry. When 90-100% dry, LOC: L= moisture or protein depending on what I need, O= same as above, C= PM The Conditioner or Lacio Lacio, again, depending on what I need. This is when I finally detangle with my seamless combs.

- I henna, but I'm not buying powders and what-not. I use the Surya brand, a pre-mixed cream, because I want the benefits without the potential for set-backs. My hair is never overly dry afterward, so I use as often as I want, sometimes 2x/ mo.

My eventual goal is MBL. I might make BSL by the end of the year or at least skimming it.

My general tips for hi po ladies include seeking out, lovingly caressing, and slathering on anything with ceramides. Since moisture is always seeping out, it can't hurt to reinforce the lipid layer of the strand. My other tip is to look for products meant to be used after color treating hair because their explicit purpose is to close the cuticle.

 

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Where do you purchase your neutral protein filler?

My hair is past APL, fine-medium and texlaxed. My hhj has been a long and winding road, let me just say. I'm at a point now where I've figured out which methods my hair likes (so I'm not as dependent on a particular product), so I've been on a roll for most of this year.

Reggie

- I was dusting once a month, now I'm down to every 6-8 weeks. My hemline is finally starting to hold it's shape from one trim to another, that never happened before.

- Touch- ups: When I joined, I was a 'once a month' girl. I stretched it to 6, then 8, then 10. I'm around 20 weeks now, my longest stretch ever. I'd like to relax 3-4/yr.

- Fall/ Winter wash days, about once a week: Pre-poo with a moisturizing cond, shampoo, dc (a blend of whatever's around, but I always add a generous amount of Neutral Protein Filler). Occasionally, follow up with French Perm Stabilizer (2.5 pH). Allow to dry 60-70%, use Zoto's Porosity Equalizer + Sally's PM Super Skinny serum knock off (the 'LO' in LOC), finger detangle, air dry. When 90-100% dry, LOC: L= moisture or protein depending on what I need, O= same as above, C= PM The Conditioner or Lacio Lacio, again, depending on what I need. This is when I finally detangle with my seamless combs.

- I henna, but I'm not buying powders and what-not. I use the Surya brand, a pre-mixed cream, because I want the benefits without the potential for set-backs. My hair is never overly dry afterward, so I use as often as I want, sometimes 2x/ mo.

My eventual goal is MBL. I might make BSL by the end of the year or at least skimming it.

My general tips for hi po ladies include seeking out, lovingly caressing, and slathering on anything with ceramides. Since moisture is always seeping out, it can't hurt to reinforce the lipid layer of the strand. My other tip is to look for products meant to be used after color treating hair because their explicit purpose is to close the cuticle.

 

[Honey Bee]

Subscribe, Sallys.

 

[PeaceFlow]

Weird. I was told my hair is high porosity but my hair does NOT chemically alter easily LOL.

I haven't tried relaxing for years though so maybe my hair became different after that, IDK.

 

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^^^^ I wonder if diet and vitamins influence porosity?