porosity - the forgotten step

[scotchbonnet]

This was such an inspiring thread. I am having dry hair and breakage issues. I tried the ACV rinse and my hair DOES feel softer. I'm natural and since I am having SEVERE breakage - this is what I am going to try:

- Redken chelating shampoo (I have VERY hard water where I live)
- Aphogee shampoo for damaged hair
- PC conditioner
- Aphogee 2 step treatment
- DC with AOHSR
- ACV rinse - **Do I need to do this step?


Does this make sense? I would really appreciate any suggestions.

TIA

 

[scotchbonnet]

bump.......anyone?

 

[ladybuddafly]

bump.......anyone?

I wish I had a definitive answer for you, but since I am still new here and still learning myself I can't say. However, I can say that I don't think it will hurt to try and see what results you get.

I, too, am experiencing breakage and will add this ACV rinse to regimen. Can't hurt right?

 

[ladybuddafly]

I tried again last night, with marvelous results!!!!

First, I did a dry protein pre-poo with ORS Hair Mayo. I let it set for about an hour with heat.

Then, I shampoo'd with NTM 2x. I did a final 2 poo'ings with Porosity Control.

I did my moisture DC with NTM Daily Deep Masque and let it set for an hour with heat.

Then I used NTM Leave in and sealed with Shea Butter. I rolled my hair for a wet set with Black 'n' Sassy Wrap Creme (I <3 this stuff).

I dried on the cool setting and did a Silk Wrap. My hair feels like butter. Even the spots that were notoriously dry before feel as soft, smooth, and moisturized as the rest of my hair. I didn't even have to hit my roots with the flat iron!

Ladies, is Porosity a step that should be taken with each wash or is that overkill?

This is a great question! I guess I'll have to search another month or so before I find the answer. LOL!

 

[dcprdiva]

I'm wondering about that too - is there anyone who uses Porosity Control Shampoo for each wash? If not, how often?

 

[mstar]

This was such an inspiring thread. I am having dry hair and breakage issues. I tried the ACV rinse and my hair DOES feel softer. I'm natural and since I am having SEVERE breakage - this is what I am going to try:

- Redken chelating shampoo (I have VERY hard water where I live)
- Aphogee shampoo for damaged hair
- PC conditioner
- Aphogee 2 step treatment
- DC with AOHSR
- ACV rinse - **Do I need to do this step?


Does this make sense? I would really appreciate any suggestions.
TIA

I really don't think that you need to use both PC and ACV during the same wash. They do the same thing, so that sounds like overkill. I know some people use it twice while they're relaxing, but I don't see any reason why a natural would need to.

I do my ACV rinses once a week. I'm natural, too, and the ACV rinses stopped my breakage in its tracks. I hope it works for you, too...

ETA: I co-wash every 3 days, so I do NOT use ACV with every wash. I use it with maybe every 3rd wash, so about once a week. HTH

 

[goodmorningruby]

Subscribing to read the rest of the thread later...

 

[Supervixen]

This is a great question! I guess I'll have to search another month or so before I find the answer. LOL!

A lot of ladies are using Porosity weekly. Here's the thread:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?p=9302838&highlight=porosity+weekly#post9302838

 

[scotchbonnet]

I, too, am experiencing breakage and will add this ACV rinse to regimen. Can't hurt right?

Okay - I tried something today:

I washed with Aphogee shampoo for damaged hair, used baking soda rinse to open up my cuticles (I have low porosity), then I deep conditioned with heat, then I did an ACV rinse.

My hair feels so soft!!! BUTTTTT - I dont want to jump the gun and say the ACV worked - I have to wait until tomorrow morning to see how my hair feels.

I have ordered the Porosity Control from Roux - I will use this instead of the ACV when I get it to see if there is a difference. I've decided that since I have low porosity - I will leave the PC for my finishing step- after I've opened my cuticles and deep conditioned with heat. Any comments or advice welcomed!



This board is really informative!!

 

[scotchbonnet]

I really don't think that you need to use both PC and ACV during the same wash. They do the same thing, so that sounds like overkill. I know some people use it twice while they're relaxing, but I don't see any reason why a natural would need to.

I do my ACV rinses once a week. I'm natural, too, and the ACV rinses stopped my breakage in its tracks. I hope it works for you, too...

ETA: I co-wash every 3 days, so I do NOT use ACV with every wash. I use it with maybe every 3rd wash, so about once a week. HTH

Thank you for your feedback.

What is your water/ACV mix proportion? TIA

 

[Ms_Twana]

...being aware of the pH of your hair products.

...how are you hardening the hair shaft after treating it? Are you using products to ensure the cuticle lie flat? Do you know the pH of your water and hair products and the difference between/importance of alkaline or acid levels in your hair products?

Bump.

Okay, so HOW do you do these things?? How do I know the pH level of my hair products? What products ensure the cuticle lay flat? How do I know the alkaline/acid levels in my products?

I'm pretty certain this is the reason for my frizzy ends. I just don't know how to make my products keep my levels balanced.

 

[Ms_Twana]

My hair feels so soft!!! BUTTTTT - I dont want to jump the gun and say the ACV worked - I have to wait until tomorrow morning to see how my hair feels.

Well.............

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

???? erplexed

 

[scotchbonnet]

Well.............

Well - I think something worked!!
Since the thread helped me to figure out I have low porosity - I decided to do a baking soda rinse after my shampoo and before my DC with heat. I did the ACV rinse after I washed the DC out to help close back my cuticles. MY hair DEFINITELY feels better and stayed looking softer than it ever had!! I have real COARSE hair - SEVERELY COARSE even.

The next morning I did not have a matted mess with my natural TWA as was usually the case. In fact all I did to today was lightly spray with a moisturiser and then add a little oil. So it could be BOTH the fact that I opened up my usually flat cuticle to allow the moisture of the DC and then closed it with the ACV rinse.

To answer your previous question - make sure you figure out if you are low or high porosity. At the absolute end of your wash routine - use the Porosity Control or the ACV to lay your cuticles flat.

I'm going to deep condition tomorrow again with heat - I'm not sure if I shoudl do a baking soda rinse again so soon - but my hair is real resistant and needs help to open the cuticle so my treatments can penetrate....I'll update if I notice further improvements.

The baking soda rinse I use is 1tbs baking soda to 2 cups water.

 

[sheba1]

Disclaimerlease.forgive.the.periods.as.my.keyboard.is.on.the.fritz...but.I.really.wanted.
to.respond.to.your.post

Bump.

Okay, so HOW do you do these things?? How do I know the pH level of my hair products? What products ensure the cuticle lay flat? How do I know the alkaline/acid levels in my products?

I'm pretty certain this is the reason for my frizzy ends. I just don't know how to make my products keep my levels balanced.

Well...I.don't.know.all.the.ins.and.outs.but.I.feel.certain.of.the.following:

-cheapie.cons.are.lower.pH.and.tend.to.help.to.close.the.cuticle
-porosity.control,joico's.cuticle.sealer,etc.are.of.the.lower.ones.and.are.good.to.use
immediately.after.shampoo
-if.you.suspect.porosity.is.your.problem...no.need.to.know.the.pH.of.all.your.products
just.of.the.ones.that.will.help.you.to.seal.the.cuticle.
-Try.the.17.minute.miracle.joico.steps.ASAP!!..like.on.your.next.wash...You.can.sub
products.really.easily..just.follow.the.steps...They.are:
--shampoo
--seal.cuticle..(I.like.porosity.control)
--reconstruct..(I.like.aphogee.2.minute)
--deep.condition..(I.usually.use.Sally's.GVP.conditioning.balm.if.I'm.not.going.to.leave.the.shower)
--leave-in,style,etc

If.porosity.is.the.problem...the.joico.17.minute.miracle.steps.are.the.solution...my.hair.will.
do.whatever.I.ask.after.them

 

[scotchbonnet]

If.porosity.is.the.problem...the.joico.17.minute.miracle.steps.are.the.solution...my.hair.will.
do.whatever.I.ask.after.them

Your keyboard is doing the disco girl!

But doesn't it depend on whether you are high or low porosity - to decide on whether to seal your cuticle before you DC or after?

For me - moisture wages a real kung fu battle to get in my strands - so I really need to open them before I DC and I definitely must DC with heat.....

 

[LoveCraze]

Bump.

Okay, so HOW do you do these things?? How do I know the pH level of my hair products? What products ensure the cuticle lay flat? How do I know the alkaline/acid levels in my products?

I'm pretty certain this is the reason for my frizzy ends. I just don't know how to make my products keep my levels balanced.

I believe that if your products don't specifically state their pH levels, then you should invest in some pH paper so that you can test your products yourself. You can usually find them near the pool/spa products section at your local Walmart, Target, what have you. Products that have a lower pH close the cuticle.
HTH.

 

[sheba1]

Your keyboard is doing the disco girl!

But doesn't it depend on whether you are high or low porosity - to decide on whether to seal your cuticle before you DC or after?

For me - moisture wages a real kung fu battle to get in my strands - so I really need to open them before I DC and I definitely must DC with heat.....

Tell.me.about.it!!..The.disco.and.doin.the.bump,too!...blasted.thing.

I.think.the.steps.will.work.either.way!...I.think.if.you.are.someone.that.has.very
tight.cuticles.(like.most.naturals)...you.might.want.to.consider.DCing.with
heat.every.so.often.to.really.get.in.there...but.I.believe.the.power.in.the.steps.are.as
follows:
--cleanse
--seal
--reconstruct.to.reinforce.the.sealed.cuticle
--deep.condition...sealed.cuticle.is.like.scales.so.conditioner.should.penetrate...but.the.seal
helps.to.keep.the.conditioner.that.gets.in.to.stay.in
--rinse.(I.usually.rinse.with.cool.water.and.a.cheapie.con)
--leave-in.style,etc.;enjoy.moisturized.strong.hair.that.has.never.heard.of
a.tangle.or.knot

 

[scotchbonnet]

Products that have a lower pH close the cuticle.
HTH.

NOW THAT THERE!!!! THAT IS A LIGHT BULB MOMENT FOR ME!

Which means co-washing with cheapie conditoners are a no-no for me because I have low porosity! So - then it means if I do co-wash I have to use something (e.g. baking soda rinse first) to allow mositure in my hair......BINGO!

--cleanse
--seal
--reconstruct.to.reinforce.the.sealed.cuticle
--deep.condition...sealed.cuticle.is.like.scales.so.conditioner.should.penetrate...but.the.seal
helps.to.keep.the.conditioner.that.gets.in.to.stay.in
--rinse.(I.usually.rinse.with.cool.water.and.a.cheapie.con)
--leave-in.style,etc.;enjoy.moisturized.strong.hair.that.has.never.heard.of
a.tangle.or.knot

I'm going try this when I get my Porosity Control next week and see which method works best for me - either the baking soda rinse as I did yesterday or your method. Will let you know!

Thanks ladies - I feel like doing the happy dance! Can you say on the way to a breakthrough - lol.

 

[Ms_Twana]

To answer your previous question - make sure you figure out if you are low or high porosity.

I think that's the problem right there. I have NO IDEA!! All of the tests that I've done (hair floating in water, pulling the strand) indicate that my hair is fine. But SOMETHING is causing my frizzy ends. When I air dry in a bun, my ends look a mess. When I rollerset, my ends look GREAT. So, I'm pretty sure it's a cuticle issue.

-cheapie.cons.are.lower.pH.and.tend.to.help.to.close.the.cuticle

Good to know.

-porosity.control,joico's.cuticle.sealer,etc.are.of.the.lower.ones.and.are.good.to.use
immediately.after.shampoo

Is that the PC shampoo or conditioner that should be used?

-if.you.suspect.porosity.is.your.problem...no.need.to.know.the.pH.of.all.your.products
just.of.the.ones.that.will.help.you.to.seal.the.cuticle.
-Try.the.17.minute.miracle.joico.steps.ASAP!!..like.on.your.next.wash...You.can.sub
products.really.easily..just.follow.the.steps...They.are:
--shampoo
--seal.cuticle..(I.like.porosity.control)
--reconstruct..(I.like.aphogee.2.minute)
--deep.condition..(I.usually.use.Sally's.GVP.conditioning.balm.if.I'm.not.going.to.leave.the.shower)
--leave-in,style,etc

If.porosity.is.the.problem...the.joico.17.minute.miracle.steps.are.the.solution...my.hair.will.
do.whatever.I.ask.after.them

Thanks. For the steps above, does shampoo HAVE to be used? Can I co-wash?

See above.

NOW THAT THERE!!!! THAT IS A LIGHT BULB MOMENT FOR ME!

Which means co-washing with cheapie conditoners are a no-no for me because I have low porosity! So - then it means if I do co-wash I have to use something (e.g. baking soda rinse first) to allow mositure in my hair......BINGO!

See ya'll gotta take it slow with me. I think I have a learning disability when it comes to understand hair porosity.

 

[laurend085]

porosity?

Do I have LOW porosity? I'm basing it on the fact that when I color my hair it doesn't come out the color I choose but instead a shade or two darker. Also I thin I read you use baking soda before i you do have low porosity. I also heard that this can be very bad for your hair if you don't use it right. Can someone help?

 

[Ms_Twana]

NOW THAT THERE!!!! THAT IS A LIGHT BULB MOMENT FOR ME!

Which means co-washing with cheapie conditoners are a no-no for me because I have low porosity! So - then it means if I do co-wash I have to use something (e.g. baking soda rinse first) to allow mositure in my hair......BINGO!

Okay, I think I've got it now. I just googled hair porosity and read a couple of sites. Some of them confused me even more. But I think my hair may have a low porosity. I say that because when I wash, it seems like it takes forever for my hair to get wet. Also, when I used to go to stylists for a relaxer, they would let it sit on my hair for forever in order to get it straight, if they didn't, it wouldn't take. Which would explain why my hair strands float in water. So, in order to fix this, I need products to raise the cuticle and let moisture in, right??

Scotch, how do you know your hair has low porosity??

 

[scotchbonnet]

I say that because when I wash, it seems like it takes forever for my hair to get wet. Also, when I used to go to stylists for a relaxer, they would let it sit on my hair for forever in order to get it straight, if they didn't, it wouldn't take. Which would explain why my hair strands float in water. So, in order to fix this, I need products to raise the cuticle and let moisture in, right??

Scotch, how do you know your hair has low porosity??

I know for the exact same reason you stated! When I did the strand test, my finger slides no problem, when I do the bowl with water test - that hair is almost doing the long jump over the water! When I used to relax - no matter which EXTRA strength relaxer I used and in those days we talking like Jeffries (!!!!!) LOL, that ish NEVER burnt and the hair refused to be straight! I have never been able to get a bone straight relaxer.

One thread on the Naturally Curly forum helped to put it together. This was another helpful thread for me.

Yes, if you have low porosity, you need a product which raise the cuticle first to let the moisture in before you DC and DC-ing with heat is best. The baking soda rinse helps to raise the cuticle and DC-ing with heat helps the moisture treatment to penetrate more into low porosity hair - (from what I have undertsood so far). I just bought a Mastex heating cap because clearly I am going to need to DC with heat regularly and a steamer just ain't in my budget at the mo!

Re the baking soda rinse - yes it can go wrong if the right mix is not used. The right mix is 1 tbs baking soda to 2cups water. I think I found this on one of the two threads above too.

I would love to find a product which can substitute for the baking soda rinse though - or even a shampoo which does the same. So if anyone knows such a product - HOLLA!!!

HTH.

 

[mstar]

Thank you for your feedback.

What is your water/ACV mix proportion? TIA

Sorry, I didn't see this earlier. I use three-quarters of a teaspoon ACV in 2 cups of distilled water.

I would say to beware of all of the ACV recipes floating around this forum...some people are using 2-4 tablespoons in 2 cups of water. That's an incredibly acidic solution, and it can really wreak havoc on natural hair. HTH

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Bumping For those of You who are Still Confused and Struggling with:

How to Use Porosity Control
What is Porosity
When to use It

All those Unanswered Questions, this is a Fantastic Thread that helped me when I first started on my HHJ

Enjoy!

 

[darlingdiva]

Bumping this thread again for newbies & for anyone who's doing all the right things & still having hair trouble.

Thanks to Newflowers for starting this thread, and thanks to mstar for providing that ACV mixture. I think I may have been using too much, but my hair does feel better with Roux PC.

 

[NJoy]

This is an awesome thread! My hair is silk today!

 

[IDareT'sHair]

This is One of those Threads, you can't read Enough Times.............

 

[trinigul]

Finished reading this entire thread. Great info. RPC (and protein) have DEFINITELY upped my moisture and retention.

 

[Vintageglam]

Great thread and well worth a read !!!