High Porosity curls are prone to dry/frizziness, has chemical/heat damage and/or applies excessive mechanical manipulation 

High Porosity curly hair cuticles are raised so much that it creates holes and gaps along the hair shaft, allowing too much moisture to enter and exit as it pleases.This leaves strands prone to frizz, dryness, breakage, and tangles. Simple acts such as swimming, bathing, and shampooing can create more damage and breakage, due to how easily it absorbs and ejects its moisture. Since the hair cuticles are raised, it’s easy to lose moisture just as fast as it’s absorbed. High Porosity curly hair has no certain race or hair color. It’s simply hair that has severe heat and/or chemical damage and needs special curl care and moisture to help close the cuticles. 

CHARACTERISTICS & TIPS OF HIGH 

• Tends to be dull, dry and/or weak hair. 
• Accepts moisture but struggles to retain it.  
• Tangles easily, leading to frizz
• Needs restoration of moisture often 
• Can become thin and fragile due to excessive mechanical manipulation. When ends become thinner/fragile than the majority of hair, it is best to get it trimmed/cut off
• Mechanical Manipulation: The consistent use of heat styling, chemical dyes, tight ponytails, braids, etc. 
• Hair cuticle is heavily raised, therefore it absorbs and ejects moisture fast
• Dries fast
• Often, the end result of damaged hair from permanent coloring, heat styling, chemical processing and/or excessive mechanical manipulation. 
• The effects of this damage are irreversible, however there are ways to temporarily treat and care for it, until the big chop!
• Protein treatments once or twice a month: Temporarily fills gaps & holes in hair cuticles. Aids in strengthening hair and reduces breakage. Improves elasticity, providing fuller, thicker hair. It basically helps repair the open hair shaft/cuticle. If you notice hair is losing its definition, it’s time for some protein! 
• Use cool water when rinsing hair, to help close the cuticle 
• Have patience! Great results take lots of time, perseverance and practice.
• Cold water rinses. This will help lock and seal the nutrients in your strands. 
• Use Anti-humectants when high heat and humidity are involved. This will aid in sealing the open, damaged cuticles and prevent them from absorbing the excess moisture in the environment. 
• Use Aztec clay mask to revive, restore, and moisturize strands. Helps bring hair back to its natural state as much as possible. Use a heat cap to intensify the moisture!
• For the wash day procrastinators, protective styles like loose buns, ponytails, braids, twists and claw clip ponytails are beneficial for extending the length in between washes.
• Deep conditioning treatments with a heat cap…..weekly! This is essential to creating defined, frizz free curls. This will help strengthen elasticity as well as allow for extreme penetration of ingredients into the hair shaft. 
• Use Leave-in conditioners, sealants and moisturizers for your high porosity hair. It tends to lose moisture easily and these products are sure to help you retain it, by helping to temporarily close your cuticles. 
• Layer your products. Your hair loves and needs moisture. A leave-in conditioner, a mousse, gel and a sealant will do wonders. 
• Be cautious of Silicones. They are known to be the most loved/hated ingredient for a reason! They can be great for helping to close the hair cuticle, especially in high humidity, but can easily cause buildup, so pay close attention if silicones are ingredients in your products. 
• Use heavy butters (shea and/or cocoa butter) with natural oils. They help protect your strands from losing too much moisture, while also helping to temporarily fill in the holes and gaps in your cuticles. 
• Apple Cider Vinegar rinses: These will help close your fragile cuticles and seal the moisture in. Topping with an aloe vera gel can aid in definition, and sealing moisture. 
• Seal with oil. This helps lock moisture in without it being repelled back into the air. Shea butter and almond oil are the best!
• Visit Cays Curls YouTube page to watch "How To" videos for your high porosity curls 

Essential products for high porosity curls 

A great starting point with the right products is all you need sometimes. Find out how to use them with your curl type on our YouTube page! 

1. Oil/Serum/Co-wash

• Helps lessen the harsh drying effects of shampoo.
• Use before shampoo and rinse out before or after shampoo, whichever your hair desires more! 
• Unclogs the hair follicles by loosening build-up for easier removal
• Aids in balancing the production of the scalp's natural conditioning oils.
• Once hair is 100% dry, use the same oil to seal and soften your curls. Olive or avocado is the best for high porosity! 
• Moisturizes and nourishes a dry, itchy scalp 
• Scrunch and lather into hair to remove the “crunch” (the hardness from the gel). This will immediately soften your curls from the gel cast.
• Use sparingly. This step is not necessary every single wash. If hair id drier than normal (like from swimming, heat styling, hot summer days, or even the dry winter season) than this step is essential 
• Use this same oil to break the gel cast once hair is 100% dry

2. Sulphate-Free Shampoo

• Even though it’s not recommended to have color-treated hair, it’s imperative to use a color-treated shampoo, if so. These specific shampoos contain special nutrients and ingredients that are specifically designed for color treated hair and will aid in maintaining moisture and elasticity. Without this special formulated shampoo, your curls are at severe risk for frizz and breakage. 
• Using a clarifying and moisturizing shampoo will help to cleanse, and not strip your hair of all its nutrients. 
• Using the Shampoo Exfoliator, while shampooing will aid in removing excess dirt & buildup.
• The Shampoo exfoliator improves blood flow circulation, which stimulates hair growth. 
• Using cool water when rinsing is key to sealing in moisture. Remember Cool water CLOSES the cuticles. 

3. Deep Conditioner

• Using a heavy deep conditioner will give moisture to your delicate tresses. 
• Helps to restore nutrients and dramatically improves hair elasticity 
• Using a heat with a deep conditioner will tremendously help to restore nutrients and improve hair elasticity. 

4. Protein Masque

• High porosity hair tends to be drier, due to chemical dyes and/or excessive heat styling. A protein masque is great for adding back in the stripped nutrients and proteins every other month. 
• Caution: This product can easily be over or underused, depending on your hair's current state. Use sparingly. It Is not recommended to use protein on a consistent basis. It's crucial to switch up products during seasonal changes. The weather can definitely affect the outcome of your tresses.

5. Heavy Leave-In Conditioners, Butters or Defining Creams

• A thicker leave-in conditioner, butter or moisturizer would be the best form to help penetrate into the open cuticle strands. The heavier the conditioner, the better chance of sealing the moisture and aiding in temporary closure of the hair follicles. Remember: a little product can go a long way!!

6. Mousse

• Mousse and the styler brush will reduce frizz, enhance/define curl pattern, and create beautiful curl clumps.
• Provides a light-weight hold and volume. 
• It’s not necessary to use a mouse to create beautiful curls, but it can help in reducing frizz and increasing moisture! It won't hurt to test/try it out to see how your hair reacts. 

7. Gel

• Increase elasticity and flexibility to your tresses
• Provides a tremendous amount of shape, Holland curl definition when styling 
• Use a “cheap” gel when doing slick back ponytails or any other updo style. You don't want to use up all your “good” gel on hair that doesn't need defined curls. 
• The secret to poppin' curls 

Check out our other blogs for recommended care tips. For even more info and all things curls, download our curl care ebook today and shop our curly hair products!