When the issue of damaged hair is talked about, we often hear the saying that the more porous one’s hair, the more susceptible to damage one is. But what does that mean? Hair porosity plays a crucial role in determining how your hair absorbs and retains moisture, and consequently, how it withstands damage. Understanding hair porosity is essential for effective hair care, especially if you struggle with damaged hair care. This blog will delve into what hair porosity is, why it makes your hair more prone to damage, and how you can combat the negative effects of hard water on porous hair.
What is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. It is determined by the condition of the hair cuticle, which is the outermost layer of your hair. The cuticle consists of overlapping scales that either lie flat, creating low porosity or are raised, leading to high porosity.
Low Porosity: Hair with low porosity has tightly bound cuticle layers, making it difficult for moisture to penetrate. While this means the hair retains moisture well once it’s absorbed, it also makes it challenging to hydrate.
Medium Porosity: Also known as normal porosity, this type of hair has a slightly raised cuticle layer that allows for balanced moisture absorption and retention.
High Porosity: Hair with high porosity has gaps and holes in the cuticle, often due to damage from chemical treatments, heat styling, or environmental factors. This type of hair absorbs moisture easily but also loses it quickly, making it prone to dryness and damage.
Why Porous Hair is More Likely to Get Damaged
Hair with high porosity is more susceptible to various forms of damage due to its structure. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Moisture Loss: Porous hair absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast, leading to dryness and brittleness.
- Chemical Damage: High porosity hair is more prone to damage from hair colouring, perms, and other chemical treatments.
- Heat Damage: Raised cuticles make the hair more vulnerable to heat, causing further weakening and breakage.
- Tangled Hair: The uneven surface of porous hair makes it more likely to tangle and knot, leading to breakage during detangling.
- Environmental Damage: Porous hair is more susceptible to damage from UV rays, pollution, and harsh weather conditions.
- Dull Appearance: Due to its inability to retain moisture, hair with high porosity often looks dull and lifeless.
- Breakage: The weakened structure of porous hair makes it more prone to breakage.
- Frizz: High porosity hair is more likely to become frizzy, especially in humid conditions.
The Impact of Hard Water on Porous Hair
Hard water, which is water high in mineral content, particularly calcium, can exacerbate the issues of porous hair. Porous hair tends to absorb more calcium, leading to a buildup that makes hair stiff, dull, and more prone to damage. This calcium buildup can weaken both the inside and outside of the hair fibre, making it crucial to address this issue with targeted hair care.
Combating Hard Water Effects
To protect your hair from the damaging effects of hard water, using products specially formulated to decalcify and repair hair is essential. Kérastase’s Première range offers a comprehensive solution:
You can start with a pre-shampoo treatment like the Première Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra-Réparateur. It decalcifies hair and repairs it from the inside out. It boasts of a concentration of pure acids that enables hair restoration, strengthens hair and reverses its stiff, dull appearance.
Follow it up with a sulphate-free shampoo like the Première Bain Décalcifiant Réparateur. This shampoo gently cleanses the scalp and hair while removing calcium. It helps reduce breakage and restore hair health, transforming dull, lifeless hair into shiny and bouncy.
Give your hair the boost of moisture it needs with the Première Masque Filler Réparateur Hair Mask. This luxurious mask soaks into hair, delivering extra conditioning care. It rebuilds the hair structure, smooths the surface, and radically reduces breakage.
Finally, don’t forget to protect your hair with the Première Sérum Filler Fondamental. This one’s a lightweight leave-in treatment that repairs damaged hair from the inside out. It seals the cuticles to shield the hair surface and protects it from calcium damage, humidity, and heat.
Understanding hair porosity and its role in hair damage is crucial for effective damaged hair care. High porosity hair is more prone to various forms of damage, especially from hard water. Using specialised products like Kérastase’s Première range can help decalcify and repair your hair, restoring its health and beauty. Whether dealing with damaged hair or looking to prevent further damage, these products provide an excellent solution for maintaining strong, healthy hair.
