High Porosity Hair: What It Is and How to Keep It Moisturized and Healthy

To understand porosity, imagine the cuticle of your hair as shingles on a roof. In low porosity hair, these shingles are tightly packed, making it hard for moisture to enter. In medium porosity, they sit just right.

High porosity hair means those cuticles are raised or even have gaps and holes in them. While this allows moisture to enter the hair shaft effortlessly, it also means that moisture escapes just as quickly. It is often a result of genetics, but it can also be caused by environmental damage, excessive heat styling, or chemical treatments like bleaching.

Not sure where you stand? Look for these tell-tale characteristics:

• Rapid Absorption: Your hair gets wet almost instantly in the shower.

• Fast Drying: Despite its thickness, your hair air-dries in record time.

• Frizz and Tangles: Because the cuticles are raised, they often snag on each other, leading to knots and a lack of shine.

• Product "Disappearance": You apply a rich cream, but an hour later, your hair feels like you used nothing at all.

• Lack of Elasticity: The hair breaks easily when stretched.

Because the "roof" of your hair is essentially open, the hydration your hair needs to remain supple simply evaporates. Without a deliberate strategy to seal those cuticles, high porosity hair becomes chronically dry, leading to breakage and split ends. Learning how to keep hair moisturised is less about the water you put in and more about how you stop it from leaving.

In high porosity hair care, oils are not just an "extra"—they are a structural necessity. They act as a sealant, smoothing down the raised cuticles and trapping moisture inside.

Recommended Oils You need heavy, nourishing oils that can fill the gaps in the hair shaft.

• Coconut Oil: Penetrates the hair shaft to reduce protein loss.

• Olive Oil: Provides a protective barrier and incredible shine.

• Castor Oil: Its thick consistency is perfect for sealing ends.

• Ayurvedic Solutions: For those seeking a holistic approach to how to keep hair healthy, the Indulekha Bringha Ayurvedic Oil is an exceptional choice. Formulated with Bringharaj and Virgin Coconut Oil, it doesn't just sit on the surface; it deeply nourishes the scalp and helps reinforce the hair's natural barrier.

The most effective way to moisturise is the Liquid-Oil-Cream (L.O.C.) method:

1. Liquid

Start with water or a water-based leave-in conditioner.

2. Oil

Apply a layer of oils for high porosity hair (like Indulekha) to seal that water in.

3. Cream

Finish with a thick styling cream or butter to further close the cuticles.

High porosity hair loves protein because it "patches" the holes in the cuticle. However, too much of a good thing makes hair stiff and "straw-like." To find a balance:

• Use a protein treatment only once every 4–6 weeks.

• Balance every protein session with a deep conditioning treatment focused solely on moisture.

• If your hair feels crunchy or snaps immediately when pulled, skip the protein and reach for a hydrating mask.

• Using Hot Water: Heat further raises the hair cuticle. Always rinse with lukewarm or cool water to help "shut" the hair shaft.

• Over-shampooing: Harsh sulphates strip away natural oils. Opt for a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo for high porosity hair to cleanse without dehydrating.

• Rough Towel Drying: Rubbing hair with a standard towel causes friction and frizz. Use a microfibre towel or a cotton T-shirt instead.

• Winter: Cold air and indoor heating are moisture thieves. Use heavier butters and protective styles (braids or buns) to tuck your ends away.

• Summer: Humidity causes high porosity hair to swell and frizz. Use an anti-humectant or a light coating of oil to prevent excess atmospheric moisture from entering the hair.

Mastering high porosity hair requires a shift in perspective: stop focusing on getting moisture into the hair and start focusing on keeping it there . By choosing the right products—from a nourishing shampoo for high porosity hair to a restorative sealant like Indulekha Bringha Ayurvedic Oil—you can turn brittle strands into a crown of health and shine.

A: Genetics determine your baseline, but you can improve the condition of high porosity hair through consistent care and by avoiding chemical damage.

A: For high porosity types, a pre-wash oil treatment or a light daily sealing of the ends is highly beneficial.

A: No, hair grows at the same rate from the scalp, but high porosity hair often suffers from more breakage at the ends, making it seem like it isn't growing.