4c hair porosity
Even though this blog is called 4chairstyles.com I’ve always been very clear that hair typing is honestly not as important as the natural hair community has made it seem. All it helps with is better-identifying brands that cater to your type of hair.
However, what really matters to your natural hair journey, is actually knowing your hair porosity type.
Understanding your porosity levels and knowing how much moisture your hair absorbs is essential to maintaining healthy and moisturized hair. It allows you to identify the right products and techniques that can help you optimize your natural hair care regimen.
This is why today I’m explaining 4c hair porosity to you so that you can figure out the best way to care for your curly hair.
What is hair porosity?
Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. It is determined by your hair’s cuticle, which is the outermost layer of the hair shaft.
When your cuticle is tight and flat, it creates low-porosity hair, which means your hair has difficulty absorbing moisture. And when your cuticle is raised and open, it creates high-porosity hair, which means your hair readily absorbs moisture.
Normal porosity hair falls somewhere in between.
The porosity of your hair is an important factor to understand when developing a 4c hair care routine that effectively moisturizes and nourishes your hair.
How do I know my 4c hair porosity?
While there are several hair porosity tests influencers and bloggers like to suggest, I only believe in one – The Product Absorption Test.
In the product absorption method, you apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner or oil to a section of your natural hair. If it is absorbed quickly and your hair feels moisturized, your hair is likely high porosity.
However, if it takes a long time for the product to be absorbed and your hair feels oily or greasy, your hair is likely low porosity.
This test is much more accurate than the float test or strand test and gives you a real idea of your hair’s moisture retention.
Is 4c hair high or low porosity?
4c hair is mostly known to be high porosity due to its looser cuticle layer. Due to the curls and coils in 4c hair, the cuticle layer is more disrupted, affecting the hair’s porosity.
4c hair strands absorb water molecules more easily but also dry out more easily. This is why 4c hair tends to be drier, feel frizzy, and break easier.
However, it is important to note that the porosity of 4c hair varies from person to person, so it is always best to determine your individual hair porosity using one of the methods mentioned earlier.
What are the signs of low porosity hair?
To help you identify your hair porosity more clearly, here are some characteristics of low-porosity hair:
- Products sit on top of your hair and don’t absorb easily.
- Hair takes a long time to dry because it is harder for water to penetrate the hair shaft.
- Hair feels dry and rough because the hair is not able to absorb and retain moisture effectively.
- Products build up easily because your hair has a hard time absorbing products.
- Chemical treatments don’t take well, because the product can’t penetrate properly.
If you experience one or more of these signs, it’s very likely that you have low-porosity 4c hair.
That means you have to use products and techniques that are appropriate for your hair porosity level. Take a look at some of my product recommendations below to take proper care of low-porosity hair.
Best products for low porosity 4c hair
When it comes to low porosity 4c hair, it’s important to use lightweight products that can penetrate the hair shaft without weighing it down. Here are some of the best products for low-porosity 4c hair:
- Clarifying Shampoo: Low-porosity hair tends to build up easily, so it’s important to use a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove product buildup and clear up the hair follicles.
- Deep Conditioner: A good deep conditioner can help to hydrate and nourish low-porosity hair. Look for a product that contains natural ingredients like aloe vera and honey, which store and love water.
- Hair steamer cap: Low-porosity hair needs help when deep conditioning in order to open up. Therefore invest in a steamer that will help open up the tight cuticle layer.
- Leave-In Conditioner: Regularly moisturizing your hair with lightweight conditioners is essential for low-porosity hair. Look for a product that will make your hair soft and retain moisture in the hair.
- Lightweight Oil: To avoid product build-up you want to only use lightweight natural oils like grapeseed oil or jojoba oil. These can help to seal in moisture without weighing your hair down.
Remember to use these products sparingly and don’t overload your natural hair with too much product.
What are the signs of high porosity hair?
Don’t think you have low porosity hair? Here are the signs of high porosity 4c hair:
- Absorbs products quickly, which makes it easier for moisture to penetrate the hair shaft.
- Hair dries quickly because it’s more susceptible to losing moisture.
- Hair feels dry and looks frizzy because it tends to lose moisture easily.
- Hair is more susceptible to damage because the cuticles are raised and weakened.
- Hair tangles easily because more prone to dryness, especially if it’s not properly moisturized and detangled.
If you experience one or more of these signs, it’s likely that you have high-porosity 4c hair.
It’s important to use products and techniques that are appropriate for your hair porosity level. Take a look at some of my product recommendations below to take proper care of high hair porosity.
Best products for high porosity 4c hair
When it comes to high porosity 4c hair, it’s important to use products that can help to seal in moisture and prevent further damage to the hair. Here are some of the best products for high porosity 4c hair:
- Moisturizing Shampoo: High-porosity hair is very absorbent, therefore natural hair products including ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil are good. They hydrate your hair and help prevent further damage.
- Protein Treatment: Very porous hair needs help retaining moisture and filling in the cuticles that are damaged. Protein treatments that include keratin can help strengthen your hair.
- Deep Conditioner: To avoid further damage look for a product that contains a lot of nutrients and draws in moisture like avocado oil, shea butter, and honey, which can help to nourish and hydrate the hair.
- LOC method: Moisture retention is essential for high-porosity hair. Therefore using the loc or lco method and sealing in moisture with a cream followed by oil is imperative. Use a leave-in conditioner with a lot of moisture, a hair butter of your choice, and one of many essential oils such as castor oil.
Remember to use these products consistently but in moderation. As high porosity needs can feel dry and frizzy fast, but using too much product can lead to buildup.
Also, be sure to avoid heat styling your natural hair to prevent further hair damage. In addition, make use of protective styles like twists and braids.
To sum it up, your hair’s porosity level affects the way your hair looks and feels as well as its overall health. This is why it is an important factor in your natural hair care routine.