High porosity!

Jelly.Vi · 01-07-2011, 01:31 PM

Finally, forums on porosity instead of hair type!

So tell us, porous curlies,

Why is your hair porous?
Naturally like that?
Chemicals?
Dyes?
Bleach?

Share your stories, processes, and hair journey!

What do you do to maintain your hair?
Protein?
Dts?
Whats your routine?

Tell us what works and what doesnt!
Tell us about what hair products your hair LOVES.
and what it doesnt!

Do you still process?
What do you do right after any sort of processing?
How long do you wait? How do you do it!

so excited!

3c4d7zwhatevs · 01-07-2011, 03:18 PM

Porosity due to dyeing and bleaching.

I do it as needed, whevever my roots are commented on by children in the family (that's a good indicator), I do a strong PT after and once or twice a month, depending on my needs, and do moisture DT's weekly.

I still process and definitely plan to continue.

I don't have a routine other than to wash every 3-4 days, deep condition weekly, protein treatments as my hair requires. I am a product whore, but I like things I can make in my kitchen for treatments.

Yay new forum!

curlyjenn10 · 01-07-2011, 04:26 PM

Ooh, new forum! Hopefully this will be a great resource for everyone!

My hair is naturally porous. It's also coarse, so protein is pretty much no-go for me.

The biggest thing that's helped keep my hair moisturized is Del's Spritz & Condition method. I've used it for about a year and a half now with great success.

I add in some DTs during the winter; ACV rinses in the summer and as needed.

I also have to wash every 2-3 days to keep my hair from drying out.

ETA: I also diffuse after every wash. I'm not sure if it's KCCC or what, but my hair takes like 6 hrs to dry if I don't diffuse. So using heat is non-negotiable for me.

Greatcurls · 01-07-2011, 04:36 PM

Yeah!!! I'm happy about this forum as well! O.K., here are my responses:

*Why is your hair porous?
It's naturally porous.

*What do you do to maintain your hair?
I mainly do DT's in the summer and winter, and PT's in the fall and spring. The air is very dry in the summer and winter, and humid in the fall and spring. At least that seems to be the pattern for my area. My hair thrives on humidity! During the dry seasons my hair needs moisture, and it needs strengthening during the humid seasons.

*Share your stories, processes, and hair journey!
Even as a child, I have always loved natural hair, and hated the process of getting my hair pressed, relaxed, or blow-dried straight. But due to circumstances beyond my control, (or so I thought) I gave in. Once I was free from those circumstances, I vowed to wear my hair natural no matter what, and so I am. The only step left in my journey is finding the right leave-in (s). Once those are found, my natural hair journey will be complete.

*What's your routine?
1) Once in a while I will pre-poo with a homemade protein treatment or with a DC.
2) Shampoo or cowash. (cowash every week; shampoo-2-3 weeks)
3) Do a DT or PT with heat.
4) Use a leave-in conditioner.
5) Style my hair.

*Tell us what works and what doesn't!
works-Fingercombing, plopping, cowashing, shampooing, conditioning with heat for deep penetration, pineappling, satin bonnet

doesn't work-Oiling my scalp, sleeping on a satin pillowcase, sealing with oil, combing my hair

*Tell us about what hair products your hair LOVES
I'll need to alphabetize them, LOL!

Aquage-Healing Conditioner
Bed Head-Self Absorbed and Moisture Maniac Conditioners
Blended Beauty-Herbal Reconditioner
Carol's Daughter-Black Vanilla Smoothie Conditioner
CURLS-Gel-les-c
CHS-Curl Keeper
Elucence-Extended Moisture Repair Treatment
Garnier Fructis-Soft Curl Cream
Gliss Kur- Oil Nutritive Repair-Butter Kur Anti-Spliss Cond.
Jessicurl-WDT and Confident Coils
KCCC
Lisa Akbari-Cleanse, Clarifying and Balance Shampoo
Mixed Chicks-Deep Conditioner, Leave-in, Hair Silk
Mop Top-Deep Conditioner
Spiral Solutions-Deeply Decadent Moisturizing Treatment
...
I'm experimenting with other conditioners...

*Do you still process? Nope

oddityofwings · 01-07-2011, 05:18 PM

Woo! Finally porosity related forums! My answers

*Why is your hair porous?
It's naturally porous. It's sort of midway between porous and normal these days - but porous enough to act porous in general.

*What do you do to maintain your hair?
CG, obviously. I try to add as much protein as possible into my routine. My hair is also very dry and fine, so I use really moisturising conditioners as well. I also take stock of my 'naked' hair fairly often. I generally DT once a week, with a hardcore protein treatment once every two weeks (should do more often, but I generally forget).

*What's your routine?
My routine's pretty simple. Most days, it's co-wash, condition, add leave-in, and then style (cream, then gel). I usually plop for a bit and then diffuse dry. I use a cleansing conditioner or shampoo every couple of weeks (up to weekly) to deal with hard water build up.

*Tell us what works and what doesn't!
works-Plopping, diffusing, scrunching, combing products through, Curls like Us towels, using glycerin in winter (??!), daily washing.

doesn't work- raking/ rake-n-shake, sealing, Denmen (well, they work - too well!), 2nd day hair.

*Tell us about what hair products your hair LOVES

Generally I love CJ. My favourites are the now discontinued Curl Theory Conditioner, the new Strengthening Conditioner, the Smoothing conditioner, Curl Fix, Curl Rehab Repair Me, and the Beauticurls Leave-in, CCCC, and CIAB. I'm learning to use CQ properly in my hair - not a favourite yet, though.

I also very much like Darcy's Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Conditioner. Crown Pride's Luscious Curl Creme is perfect in the summer.

I quite like SSCC - but the shipping is prohibitive at the moment since that's the only thing I really want to repurchase from that line (dews don't get high enough here to use the jelly and gel more than a couple weeks out of the year).

*Do you still process? Nope. I had my hair straightened for the first time in over two years a couple weeks ago. I haven't coloured my hair in... er... 8 years, almost.

Jelly.Vi · 01-07-2011, 06:05 PM

Why is your hair porous?
Coloring/Bleaching

Share your stories, processes, and hair journey!
Past two years, ive gone back and forth from black to my avatar various times. Ive done highlights, red, blonde, brown. Always've had red undertones, which i really want to get rid of (and will be trying tmrw).

What do you do to maintain your hair?
CG method of course! Even on cg for the past few months, my naked hair looks like my entire hair is frizz. Not one curl. CG is the bomb diggity

Whats your routine?
My routine thus far is
Cowash with Mane n Tail
RO with Ion Effective care
LI Yes to Cucumbers
Style with LA Looks Sports Gel

What works:
Consistent, Mane n Tail and LALSG ;P
Ive cowashed/ro/LI with just this, and my hair was super happy. But, need to rewash frequently to regain moisture.

Ion effective care, it worked like a charm. super springy soft curls,
and I just love cucumber scents (YTCU), plus its light and moisturizing.

What doesnt:
Suave Coco (might have to revisit)
GVPCB, overmoisturized as RO
(might use as LI after ionEC)
Aphogee 2minute reconstructor (mineral oil, EW)
Satin cap, hair comes out of the sides now that im in the awkward stage between 'fitting'/staying in the cap, and being able to pineapple. Ooog

Do you still process?
Going to dye tmrw!

What do you do right after any sort of processing?
Just normal repairing. Protein. DT, keep to the CG. No heat (:

curlyclo89 · 01-07-2011, 06:46 PM

Hi! I'm excited about this. I definitely need to learn more about porosity.

Why Porous?
Naturally.

Hair Story
Was perming/relaxing straight starting in middle school up until my senior year of high-school. Been chemical free since around March '07.

How do I maintain my hair/Regimen
I'm CG - no 'poo or combs. I like co-washing, deep conditioning, and Leave-In's. Protective styling when I feel like it.

What works and what doesn't?
With regard to my porosity, I'm not really sure. I haven't done anything specifically recommended for porous hair. I'm looking forward to seeing how others deal with this and picking up some tips!

Do you still process?
Nope.

DerbyCityNaturals · 01-07-2011, 07:58 PM

Am I the only one irritated by the forum description:

"High porosity is a result of damage to the hair. Chemical processes, harsh treatment, and environmental exposure are all responsible for causing irreversible damage to the cuticle layer. This damage creates gaps and holes in the surface of the hair shaft, resulting in unmanageable and unlovely locks."

Ummm did they completely forget that some people are naturally highly porous?

Anyway my teenage daughter is a hi-po naturally. Her hair looks healthier and better in high humidity summers and cannot get enough moisture.

She/it loves heavier butters, oils and creams like shea. She does not like lighter oils as they seem to disappear into her hair. She also likes products with a bit of mineral oil or petroleum because they coat her hair and help keep the moisture in.

During the winter her weekly regimen includes washing with sulfate poo, DC, applying moisturizer and plaiting into 10 braids and airdrying. Then she blowdries straight with a denman using heat protectant.

curlyclo89 · 01-08-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerbyCityNaturals

Am I the only one irritated by the forum description:

"High porosity is a result of damage to the hair. Chemical processes, harsh treatment, and environmental exposure are all responsible for causing irreversible damage to the cuticle layer. This damage creates gaps and holes in the surface of the hair shaft, resulting in unmanageable and unlovely locks."

I didn't even see this.

Can we get an admin to change it?

Curls&Agape · 01-08-2011, 08:36 AM

my hair is CRAZILY horridly porous due to crazy horrid treatment on my part. Overload of poo, cone infested conditioners, blow drying on hottest setting with a big round boar bristle brush, straightening with GHD's once a week for the larger part of 10 yrs, colouring my hair at salons regularly for 8 yrs and doing it at home with strong permanents and peroxide for about 3 yrs and so on.

So there is a very good reason my hair is sucking up everything you throw at it.... i killed it. slaughtered it in every way possible!

My hair straightening masacre started when I was 13 and being called names at school like "frizz bomb, rat-head, curly sue, pube-hair, minga, feral head" and so on. One day at the hairdressers a woman asked me if id like my hair straightened, i didnt even know that was possible. My hair was DEAD STRAIGHT. I mean poker straight. I cried and asked mum for straightners for my birthday. Actually, begged. She let me have them. The first day at school with straight hair i got comments like "Oh look pube-hair finally found her hairbrush!" and after a week of it, i never got teased for my hair again. So, here I am, 25 yrs old and finally embracing the beauty of ringlets that God gave me. I don't care what others have to say any more. My daughter is a curly girl and I dont want her self esteem ruined like mine was, and really, the buck stops with me. So curly I go!

Now I am a CG in recovery. Only been doing it for about 5 days now...already seeing results. But finally seen my hair curly for the first time in yrs and unfortunately the damage has ruined my curls. I have a couple of ringlets at the bottom, and loose, weird waves on top...

i think the damage is so deep ill have to grow it out and wait for curly virgin hair to come thru!

.... i still want to colour my hair but need to know the best ways to do it so im not so porous!

Can anyone recommend a very amazing Protein Treatment? Home Remedies?

Jelly.Vi · 01-08-2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curls&Agape

.... i still want to colour my hair but need to know the best ways to do it so im not so porous!

Can anyone recommend a very amazing Protein Treatment? Home Remedies?

I think, coloring will always make your hair porous, like more porous, cept for maybe stains or rinse type things. Semi permanent and demi permanents are good alternative to permanent.

As for a PT, id like to reccommend ion effective care. Ive started using it as a RO, and its the only thing (so far) that actually made my curls SPRING up after i passing a comb through my hair. Its really thick, and feels soft/smooth on the hair. I loooove it. Be sure to moisturize afterwards though.

@DCN and regarding the high porosity description, ill post in the original porosity thread to gretchen, to see about changing that (:

Rimi · 01-08-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curlyclo89

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerbyCityNaturals

Am I the only one irritated by the forum description:

"High porosity is a result of damage to the hair. Chemical processes, harsh treatment, and environmental exposure are all responsible for causing irreversible damage to the cuticle layer. This damage creates gaps and holes in the surface of the hair shaft, resulting in unmanageable and unlovely locks."

I didn't even see this.

Can we get an admin to change it?

+1

That whole "unmanageable" and "unlovely" business has to go.

Rimi · 01-08-2011, 02:43 PM

Does anyone know of any 1) weekly/bi-weekly 2) monthly/bi-monthly protein conditioners/deep protein treatments? WITHOUT cones? Other than the ion effective care?

Suburbanbushbabe · 01-08-2011, 03:41 PM

What do you do to maintain your hair?
Conditioner with good protein/moisture balance - same with a deep conditioner

Whats your routine?
Whatever hits my wet hair first gets absorbed, so rich co-washes and conditioners are good - EO conditioner from TJ Maxx, GVP Biolage Matrix. Butters or oils at that stage as well help keep the cuticle smooth and moist.

Tell us what works and what doesnt!
I'm not CG; some of my conditioners contain small amounts of cones. But I tried a cone serum on wet hair and it was a disaster. A little on dry 3-4 day hair works well.

Tell us about what hair products your hair LOVES.
and what it doesnt! gentle, non-stripping shampoo, rich conditioners, soft gels like KCCC.

Hakim Nuraldin · 01-08-2011, 04:39 PM

My hair is spongy.

It takes a lot of water to reeally wet it thoroughly, it sucks up water like a sponge.

Is this considered porous?

Jelly.Vi · 01-08-2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hakim Nuraldin

My hair is spongy.

It takes a lot of water to reeally wet it thoroughly, it sucks up water like a sponge.

Is this considered porous?

i do believe so.
might want a second opinion.

gecko · 01-08-2011, 08:54 PM

Hi!

Why is your hair porous?
Very hard well water + partially effective water softener (both fixed with shower water filter 9/10) + blow out with round brush + growing crop of naturally porous coarse wiry white hairs

What do you do to maintain your hair?
I do protein treatments when my hair feels overly stretchy. ~ Every 3 days, I cowash, firmly squeeze out water, apply good amount of rich conditioner, experimenting with the rest right now.

Tell us what works
Cowashing, rich conditioner, encouraging clumping, pineapple, non-penetrating oil for SOTC

Tell us about what hair products your hair LOVES.
Jessicurl Too Shea
Darcy Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Moisturizing Conditioner
Spiral Solution Firm Hold Styling Gel
FSG + agave
EVOO pre-wash

and what it doesnt!
Rinsing out conditioner completely and then not applying product
Not-super-heavy RO conditioners

Do you still process?
Still blow out with a round brush once in a while. Water fixed. Getting more bumpy white hair every day.

kashly · 01-08-2011, 10:57 PM

How do you know if your hair is porous or not?

curlyclo89 · 01-09-2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kashly

How do you know if your hair is porous or not?

Porosity test: Put some strands of hair in a bowl full of water (lay them on top of the water). If they sink to the bottom then your hair is highly porous, if they stay in the middle it's "normal", if they float it has low porosity.

oddityofwings · 01-09-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curlyclo89

Quote:

Originally Posted by kashly

How do you know if your hair is porous or not?

Porosity test: Put some strands of hair in a bowl full of water (lay it on top of the water). If it sinks to the bottom it's highly porous, if it stays in the middle it's "normal", if it floats its low porosity.

The float test is a bit hit-or-miss. My hair floated for three days before beginning to sink, but I'm definitely porous.

You may also want to also consider whether your hair feels 'ruffled' when you run your fingers along a single strand from tip to root. If it feels ruffled, those are the raised/missing cuticles you're feeling, and that means it's porous. Porous hair also gets wet/takes on product/dye very quickly, but also dries/loses product/dye very quickly as well.