tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post2973255548551468768..comments2024-03-29T07:15:59.539-05:00Comments on Science-y Hair Blog: Managing Elasticity and Porosity in HairWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604766377332720162noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-12183143355786404832021-07-03T07:58:55.009-05:002021-07-03T07:58:55.009-05:00Hi Wendy
I was wonder if coconut oil (or any othe...Hi Wendy <br />I was wonder if coconut oil (or any other oil) pre poo will impact and interfere the penetration of deep conditioning treatment?<br /><br />And for someone whose hair doesn't get along with coconut oil, would you recommend fractionated coconut oil instead?Middle Of Decemberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14760605833745059125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-85259974312614556032019-05-14T16:09:33.362-05:002019-05-14T16:09:33.362-05:00Hello - you could try diluting your products with ...Hello - you could try diluting your products with water or applying them to hair that is so wet, it is diluted by the water in the hair. Or 1) apply the product and 2) add water with a cup or spray bottle. Any of these will both dilute and help distribute products through your hair, which can be one cause of white residue. Another cause can be that you are using very thick products and/or too much (for which diluting them using one of the aforementioned techniques can help) or your products are reacting with each other. In that case - try mixing them in your hand. If you get a texture-change, there will be a problem in your hair as well. Good luck -WWShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604766377332720162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-83702163301122457812019-05-14T15:12:52.919-05:002019-05-14T15:12:52.919-05:00Hi Simony. Hmm, if that were my hair, I would prob...Hi Simony. Hmm, if that were my hair, I would probably avoid protein, oils and just about any styling product for a while. I'd go back to any "tried and true" product I'd used in the past and see if my hair improved. And then gradually add things back and see if there is any change. If you were to deep condition, use a conditioner you know well and just leave it on longer than usual with some heat, for example.<br />There are some really basic shampoos out there, like baby shampoo (Johnson's or a generic) or Kinky Curly Come Clean. You can dilute a shampoo in water so it's like water you'd wash dishes in so it won't over-dry your scalp and hair. The more basic the product, the easier it can be to sort out what is going on with your hair. Fairly simple conditioners would be Suave Essentials, Tresemme Naturals (and those 2 can work differently!) - something without a lot of bells and whistles. I don't have any answers - other than to simplify your products and change no more than 1 or 2 things at a time. Good luck! WWShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604766377332720162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-5894054672972480942019-05-09T21:10:15.675-05:002019-05-09T21:10:15.675-05:00Hello Wendy
I clarified and I am not sure if it w...Hello Wendy <br />I clarified and I am not sure if it worked, my hair is still acting weird . It does seem light and dry but also heavy at the roots at the same time. It still feels plastic like to me but maybe that’s because it’s dry. Hurts to put it up in a ponytail like it does not want to bend any other way but down. It is not behaving like my hair at all. Maybe I still have the build up. But I was wondering if you know what it could mean if it takes a long time to dry? If I wash my bangs and add some gel and blow dry them they remain wet a long time even though I don’t have much bangs and they should dry really quickly when blow drying ( very low heat) it’s it strange! I thought this may be a clue to what is going on?<br />Thank you!!<br />Simonysimonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04046140759403921449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-4998538353868605562019-04-06T21:30:17.028-05:002019-04-06T21:30:17.028-05:00Hello Wendy! :)
Thank you so much for responding t...Hello Wendy! :)<br />Thank you so much for responding to me!!! It is so appreciated!!! I am thinking that maybe I do have some obnoxious build up as my hair feels so plastic and coated like and weird when wet and dry and I can't even seem to use any styling products as it's like putting them on a doll's hair to does not go on right all.<br />I read the polyquot or Not? post and I noticed that the deva conditioners have the guar hydroxypropy...chloride plus others and I wonder if that may be causing it and when I clarified I put that conditioner back on and so it could be a vicious cycle.<br />I will try the Mill creek conditioner, I actually just bought the Biotin conditioner therapy formula the other day so I will try it! I will look for the gel deep conditioning one you suggested as well. I also have Jessycurl deep conditioning treatment but not sure if that is right one for me. I bought Suave daily clarifying shampoo and I have a sample bottle of Inhasi SOOTHING MINT SULFATE FREE CLARIFYING SHAMPOO -Purified Water, C14-C16 Olefin Sulfonate (Coconut Derived), Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Aloe Vera Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Oats, Pro Vitamin B5, Sodium chloride (Sea Salt), Peppermint Oil, Nettle Extract, Horsetail Extract, Lavender) Oil, Rosemary Oil, Optipen Plus.<br />Are those good ones to use? Would I use the clarifying shampoo for few washes or just once? What is a good shampoo to use after that ? I feel like I should maybe take a break from the Deva low poo I have been using. Inhasi has a non clarifying shampoo, I can order if it has non buildup ingredients -Purified Water, Aloe Vera Juice, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside (Coconut Derived), Vegetable Glycerin, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Pro Vitamin B5, Guar Gum, Peppermint Oil, Nettle Extract, Horsetail Extract, Lavender Oil, Rosemary Oil, Optiphen Plus. ? <br />Or what nob claryfying shampoo do you recommend?<br />Again, thank you so much for your advice!<br />Simonysimonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04046140759403921449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-72820836401410218422019-04-05T23:17:08.613-05:002019-04-05T23:17:08.613-05:00Hello Simony - It sounds like the ends of your hai...Hello Simony - It sounds like the ends of your hair are probably especially easily dehydrated. Hair that breaks really easily when wet often is! You can have hair that behave as though it is low porosity, especially if it's sun-lightened, even if it is porous. I don't think Deva Build-up Buster is quite the tool for the job for really obnoxious build-up. It contains ingredients which could add to build-up already there. I'm sure it does a great job for plenty of situations, but I think I would choose a not-conditioning shampoo with C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and maybe even lather up twice to start with a completely fresh slate. It might leave your hair lighter-than-air, but if there is build-up, you would probably see a difference.<br />I don't know how much protein or in what products you are using, if that were a problem, you might look for different kinds of protein (Collagen, Keratin, Quinoa) and possibly look for products without a lot of extra ingredients - nothing too fancy. Mill Creek conditioners are good (and pretty light) and I like their Deep Conditioning Biotin Gel which has a nice dose of protein (it's a conditioner) but not a lot of build-up provoking ingredients. <br />For oil treatments, sticking with pure oils helps you rule out lots of variables and make it easier to understand your result. I like oil treatments for their ability to have any excess washed out. If you have any Coarse hairs in there at all, the oil treatment will help them be more flexible and soft. Oils are good for dehydrated ends also - to help preserve hydration long term by protecting them from swelling too much during washing (penetrating oils, anyhow).<br />If you have hard water, using a dilute vinegar or citric acid rinse may help as well. <br />Take a methodical approach - try one thing or two things at a time. Pay close attention to how your hair responds and let that (more than anything) be your guide. Good luck! WWShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604766377332720162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-38576707763319578032019-03-26T16:59:10.746-05:002019-03-26T16:59:10.746-05:00Hello Wendy
Couple of days ago I sent you a questi...Hello Wendy<br />Couple of days ago I sent you a question under moisturizing low porosity and I just wanted to add something after rereading this post on flexibility. I have been reading your entire website to try and find solutions and I just reread this post and my hair is totally doing the test you did where is stretches when dry but will break and not stretch when wet. So I guess that means it’s very dehydrated? I thought I had low porosity but it’s quite long and the ends are very light and I think it maybe became lower porosity or parts of it anyway. There is a microspore here at work so I looked at it and at 1st I thought the cuticles were closed ( that was a few weeks ago) but today I see some open, well in the hair I looked at anyway.<br />So my hair still remains mushy/ spongy and almost very stiff when wet if that is possible and kind of plastic like and very airy and light with low flexibility , low structure when dry and with some breaking. I see little dots on some of the lighter colored hair and so I have some breakage and some split ends.<br />I am still very confused like I said in my other post desperately trying to figure it out what to. Also wondering if I made it worse with trying to get rid of buildup that I was told I had and maybe I did not even have the buildup but just dehydrated hair and the shampooing made my hair more dehydrated. It seems like the same symptoms could mean many different things! I do feel my hair needs moisture weight and flexibility, it is not moving correctly and sometimes feels almost too soft but dry at the same time, like it has no substance, like it’s nylon not sure if that makes sense?<br />I don’t know what shampoo and conditioner to use anymore, protein, no protein and whether I should refresh with water to give it some moisture on non- wash days since the water is making it mushy but hair does needs water right? I am also wondering if I should use the oil only for the per wash treatment or should I put some on after a wash or on second day to make it appear less dry? I have “Hollywood beauty olive oil treatment” at home but maybe I should stick to just one pure oil? Many years ago I used “Hollywood beauty olive creme hairdress” and it seemed to help my dry ends but now I was told that it would cause build up. I am pretty much scared to use anything at this point.<br />Thank you so much for posting all this information, it is of great value to me and I am hoping it will help my hair return to normal one day. When you get a chance if you could give me your thoughts on my two posts that would be great and so appreciated . <br />Thank you!<br />simonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04046140759403921449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-24055853799822282782019-03-20T20:21:58.536-05:002019-03-20T20:21:58.536-05:00Hi there,
After reading your blog I do think I ha...Hi there, <br />After reading your blog I do think I have more of a low porosity hair. Wavy, 2a/2b. I am finding that if I use more than one product I often get white residue almost like the product is just sitting on top of my hair. Perhaps you mention this somewhere else but any tips? I have read that certain products don’t mix but it seems that this means no products mix for me? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15944436565812763802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-39804582705032788862018-08-04T19:39:29.067-05:002018-08-04T19:39:29.067-05:00Hi Anjali, I'm planning to do a Squish to Cond...Hi Anjali, I'm planning to do a Squish to Condish post soon, I need time! 1) Squish to Condish is a means of using conditioner as a wetting agent and thoroughly coating the hair with product and saturating hair with water. If we dunked ourselves under water and made sure our hair was spread-out and stayed under water - that's where the "2 minute" number applies. In real life, things work differently.<br />2) Porous hair soaks up water readily. I say, "too quickly" because it creates a certain image in my mind. When hair soaks up water readily, it will have soaked up much more water than hair that soaks up water slowly during the same 5 minutes you're in the shower. It's the quantity that matters. Hair that soaks up a lot of water (because it does that readily) is more likely to be swollen - that swelling creates stress and stress inside hair is a problem. Best wishes - WWShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604766377332720162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-27958365914847948592018-07-26T16:59:08.291-05:002018-07-26T16:59:08.291-05:00Hi,
(Your blogs are quite informative. Thanks fo...Hi, <br /><br />(Your blogs are quite informative. Thanks for your effort to educate us.)<br /><br />I have the same question as Zaunfink, but I am still not clear on below mentioned points.<br /><br />1. If 2 min of full wetting is enough for our hair to absorb water and get fully hydrated, why do we need "squish to condish" method at all? What do you think is conditioner actually doing in that method?<br /><br />2. You mentioned that penetrating oils slows down the effect of "too much water moving in too quickly". If I understand correctly, mere water filling up the strand doesn't cause swelling but the speed at which it enters is the real culprit in causing swelling. Because water is going to get in overtime anyway, right?<br /><br />Thanks.Anjalihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08287210908304951400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-51938058906075364372018-05-06T18:02:24.493-05:002018-05-06T18:02:24.493-05:00Hello Sera,
I'm copying this from another comm...Hello Sera,<br />I'm copying this from another comment about Olaplex regarding protein treatments: I've answered comments about Olaplex, but because there are not published data about it and the active ingredient is proprietary, the best one can do is read their literature and make educated guesses. Olaplex is not a protein treatment - it works rather differently. It's meant to provide something for broken bonds in hair to bond with instead of bonding with oxygen or anything that would make hair more unstable. It's the same sort of chemistry that is applied to making plastic polymers (linking molecules with a carbon backbone) - to get hair with damaged structural bonds to pull back together. Their active ingredient appears to be small enough to penetrate into the hair shaft - so that's positive. You can some some more info. here: http://chemistrysimplified.com/olaplex-real-thing/<br />Olaplex claims to work on a different level of repairing the hair internally. It's aimed at people who use chemical treatments like highlighting or permanent coloring, and thus create damage in hair intentionally. It may also be helpful for hair damaged by sun, heat-styling, brushing, or in the case of very long hair, the stress of being exposed to the elements, sleep, washing. Those kinds of damage create the same sorts of damage that Olaplex claims to repair, although that damage is done gradually over time rather than all at once, so it's questionable. Olaplex #1 is meant to be used during coloring - it's the most-concentrated. I can't say whether it is better or worse than being diligent with using oils, deep conditioning and protein, because that depends on the person. For hair that tends to be healthy no matter what you do to it - Olaplex may not be very helpful. For hair that tends to become porous easily, it may be more helpful. Best wishes - WWShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604766377332720162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-19730031697203088452018-04-18T16:31:04.202-05:002018-04-18T16:31:04.202-05:00Hi Wendy,
What are your thoughts on the Olaplex t...Hi Wendy,<br /><br />What are your thoughts on the Olaplex treatments? Would a part of the Olaplex steps also be beneficial for porous hair that's not chemically treated like bleaching or (demi-)permanent coloring?<br /><br />Thanks!Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14726923932969825445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-40410297433757195282017-12-22T21:58:08.735-06:002017-12-22T21:58:08.735-06:00Hello - even if you use an oil to create a barrier...Hello - even if you use an oil to create a barrier for moisture leaving your hair, you can add some water or a water-based product to your hair and your hair will soak up some of that moisture. Oil in your hair doesn't completely exclude water moving into and out of hair. To actually use enough oil to be that truly occlusive, you'd have to have hair that felt and looked a bit oily.<br />One advantage of oils is that they provide flexibility, which is one things that makes hair feel "not dry." Oil can be helpful on dry hair to soften any gel-crunch and smooth any frizz. Or it can go over the leave-in conditioner and under flaxseed gel to mix with the conditioner. It really depends on which gives you the best result. Best wishes - WWShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604766377332720162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-16355496994475505772017-12-18T12:18:55.025-06:002017-12-18T12:18:55.025-06:00Hello Pamela,
Sorry you're having such problem...Hello Pamela,<br />Sorry you're having such problems! Patience, patience, patience, right?<br />So you have coconut oil "overload" and now too much protein on top of it, which makes your hair stiff. You need lubrication and softness because your hair feels brittle.<br />You should be able to use not-so-penetrating oils like jojoba (if your hair does well with it) for lubrication before detangling (brushing dry hair). Or argan oil. Or whatever oil helps you detangle your hair without causing dullness or frizz. You don't need a lot of oil - put a drop in your palm, rub your palms and fingers together vigorously, then stroke that over the ends and top layers. Add more oil and rub it in to your hands again if you need more oil. It should not be enough oil to be visible on your hair, but it should help you detangle.<br />Mineral oil is not a natural oil - but it doesn't soak in and lubricates amazingly well. It might make a huge difference for now. Even if you don't like the idea of mineral oil - desperate times call for desperate measures.<br />Sometimes you need to throw out what you've read about hygral fatigue and This, That, and The Other Thing and pay very close attention to your hair and start experimenting. Your hair is no longer playing by "the rules" anyhow, so you are making this up as you go along.<br />You say it needs softness but oils don't soak in. That makes me wonder if deep conditioning with some heat might help your hair gain some softness and hydration. Not deep conditioning with lots of oils and butters - more like deep conditioning with an ordinary conditioner, maybe something like GVP Conditioning Balm or Aussie Moist - whatever has a lot of "slip" for your hair. A cautious time for doing that might be 5-10 minutes with heat - then see what happens. If it seems like there was a benefit, you might re-do it again your next wash day. Or increase the treatment time, but not more than 30 minutes.<br />If you need more softness, try adding lightly warmed honey to the conditioner - it's a hair-penetrating humectant. It's important not to over-do deep conditioning too. If you're doing it fairly often and it seems to stop having the same good result, reduce the frequency of deep conditioning. <br /><br />It might not hurt to use the occasional oil pre-wash treatment, but you need something chemically different than coconut oil - like sunflower oil or even grapeseed oil which is less penetrating, but still a little bit so. Use the same careful oil application technique to avoid over-applying oil.<br />On the right side of the page is a link to "popular posts" where you'll find the "Low Porosity Hair" post. I think that will apply to your hair for the moment, it is behaving like low porosity hair.<br /><br />It's okay to mist your hair with water (preferably distilled water if you have hard water) and a bit of conditioner to restore hydration and lubrication. Just like skin - hair sometimes needs extra hydration. Keeping your hair hydrated and flexible is very important right now. When it dries out, it becomes less flexible and that's when it's vulnerable to more breakage. If your hair is becoming difficult to manage and dry and brittle - it's asking for moisture (water).<br />Good luck! -WendyWShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604766377332720162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-4995566897491596272017-12-08T18:19:42.993-06:002017-12-08T18:19:42.993-06:00Hello, I love your website, I've gained so muc...Hello, I love your website, I've gained so much knowledge from your meticulous research!<br /> I am struggling with keeping my hair hydrated between wash days. Wash day (co wash then conditioner) my hair feels very hydrated. But within about 18-20 hours my hair starts to feel and look dry. Poofy and frizzy and it feels dry.<br /> I have high porosity hair, 3b with somewhat fine strands. I live in a very dry climate (dew point was 5 yesterday!!! eeekk) and avoid glycerin, sorbitol and propylene glycol in my leave in products.Straight out of the shower (conditioner rinsed fully, because it contains a humectant) I apply a good amount of Kinky Curly Knot Today then top that with homemade flaxseed gel to seal in the Kinky Curly. My hair looks and feels great for the day, but dries out on day 2 and beyond. Im trying to get a to 3rd or 4th day hair, but struggling with keeping the moisture IN (even with the flax gel).<br /> If I use an oil on my hair, and it creates a barrier, how do you refresh your hair? Wouldnt any product be repelled by the oil?<br /> If I do add an oil to my routine, what order do I apply products? Im struggling----thanks ;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15872623177466968316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-14802962435833873422017-12-05T19:47:18.962-06:002017-12-05T19:47:18.962-06:00Hello!
So earlier this year I started using coconu...Hello!<br />So earlier this year I started using coconut oil not realising that it retains protein in the hair and my hair gradually got more and more brittle and dry and was just breaking off constantly so I switched to protein treatments to help stop the breakage, well I overdid the protein and ended up with severe protein overload. It made a complete mess of my hair and so many strands are literally all wiry and rough with damage. The problem is now trying to find products without too much protein which make my hair feel hard, stiff and brittle however, nothing seems to soften it or give it back some elasticity and moisture, it keeps breaking I assume it has no tensile strength and it is so porous which means everything is damaging it more (brushing etc). Also, I have had to wash it everyday or every second day because it becomes so hard to brush through (stiff and matted at ends) and everything builds up more easily on it now. I use to love oils pre-wash (grape seed for sealing) but now they just sit on top of my hair and make it even harder to brush through.<br /><br />If you have any advice for how I can soften my hair in any way pls let me know.<br /><br />The other main issue is because my hair is so brittle I can't brush it when its dry because it breaks off so I'm constantly spraying my hair with water and sometimes a little conditioner before detangling and to try and hydrate it but then my hair remains wet almost all day until I wash it properly that night, I know its not good to have wet hair for long periods of time (hygral fatigue?) because the hair is more fragile but its the only way I can manipulate it without it all snapping off (sopping wet is the only time it feels like normal hair and I can detangle properly). I know water is hydration but I'm worried the weakening is from being wet too often and more and more strands are looking bent and crinkled which could be from over stretching when wet? but I can't stop washing it because its so unmanageable when its dry - its a viscous cycle :( <br /><br />Thank you so much for this blog you are incredibly informative!<br />PamelaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08595188056352734340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-8183933098014945512017-10-12T09:46:03.435-05:002017-10-12T09:46:03.435-05:00Hello,
A product containing some protein would be...Hello,<br /><br />A product containing some protein would be a good idea to try. If you're not accustomed to using protein in your hair, use it every other wash day (at first) and watch how your hair responds carefully. Protein treatments are more concentrated (Hydrolyzed protein will be listed in the first 5-8 ingredients) and are used every 1-2 weeks for hair that does well with protein. Protein treatments are usually left on for anywhere from 2-3 to 5-30 minutes. <br />If you're using a brush with densely-packed bristles, you might have better luck with a "Wet brush" or some other brush with widely spaced, flexible "bristles" to reduce friction and tension during brushing - to reduce breakage.WShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604766377332720162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-56954169338324846122017-10-04T21:31:46.517-05:002017-10-04T21:31:46.517-05:00I have very dry broken hair due to thyroid conditi...I have very dry broken hair due to thyroid condition some of its growing back it's lost its curl it's barely wavy and thin but however it does take well to coconut oil 100% virgin on dry hair haven't tried the reverse shampoo conditioner thing yet do I need protein I did the elasticity test two about the last three inches of my hair broke right off just snapped I'm not sure what to do with my hair I lost so much of it due to hypothyroidism I can make it look like I have quite a bit of hair because it's to the middle of my back I probably could use a few and just cut off but what is your advice for me my medication is stabilized now so it stopped falling out is growing back but of course the end are very brittle and don't tolerate being brush very wellAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12543645299430066715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-78110566556687790642017-09-13T01:51:11.262-05:002017-09-13T01:51:11.262-05:00Hi there,
I am interested in finding out the reaso...Hi there,<br />I am interested in finding out the reasons why some people claim that coconut oil actually makes their hair dry and/or brittle and prone to breaking off - crunchy style. I am investigating different off the shelf natural products and am yet to find any research that explains this phenomenon that only some people are experiencing. <br />Thanks!Motorsport_Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17113249430848038445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-50678204234958706792017-03-17T12:37:05.783-05:002017-03-17T12:37:05.783-05:00Hello Jenni,
Have you tried using protein at all?...Hello Jenni,<br /><br />Have you tried using protein at all? If your hair is on the finer side, protein could help with strength and elasticity (to reduce breakage). If it's somewhat porous due to coloring and hard water's dehydrating, stiffening effect protein can be helpful with hydration. A rinse-out conditioner with some protein used every wash day or every other wash day, or a protein reconstructor used every 1 or 2 weeks might help your hair feel better hydrated.<br />With protein, use it as often as you get a good effect. If you stop getting a good effect - space out the use.<br /><br />Have you tried pre-wash oil treatments with penetrating oils? Those sometimes help when deep conditioning doesn't for flexibility. There's a post here (copy and paste link): http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/oil-pre-shampoo-or-pre-wash.html<br /><br />Your observation about coloring your hair and how that makes it easier to use conditioners is spot-on. The damage that comes with coloring makes hair which is normally hydrophobic (water and conditioner-repellant) become hydrophilic (water and conditioner-attracting). Slightly damaged hair tends to be more agreeable with oils, conditioners and water. And this isn't even surprising when you consider that a lot of cosmetics research is done with dyed or bleached hair, or assumes that a significant percentage of the (female) population dyes, bleaches, or heat-styles their hair. Products are made with porous hair in mind. <br /><br />Check out my "Low Porosity" hair post - it has other tips for hydrating low porosity hair. It's linked in the "popular posts" at right. Good luck and best wishes! WWShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604766377332720162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-78485331362169881242017-03-07T23:40:23.691-06:002017-03-07T23:40:23.691-06:00Hi, I have spent countless hours pouring over hair...Hi, I have spent countless hours pouring over hair forums and can use some sound advise on how to restore my once dense 2b hair. After moving to Southern CA I've lost about 1/3 of my hair due to breakage. I recently had a water filtration and conditioning system put into my home after reading that hard water could be to blame. On the other hand the air is also very dry. My hair is fine dries quickly and even after deep conditioning under a steam bonnet it is brittle and completely inelastic. It flots on water and will not sink leading me to believe it is low porosity but dries quickly,if product free, which makes me think high porosity. I do color my roots but just in select areas and somehow following that I do seem to get my elasticity back , It's as if damaging it forces moisture in. I need some way to get moisture in and keep it in so my hair isnt so bone dry and brittle. HELPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-40619827654420555912016-11-20T16:40:29.912-06:002016-11-20T16:40:29.912-06:00Hello Susana,
Hair of people of Asian descent is r...Hello Susana,<br />Hair of people of Asian descent is round. Everybody else's is some variation of oval or elliptical. However, when I use my favorite graphic program to draw my visual aids, it doesn't draw ellipses very well. Neither do I.<br /><br />I should be using a different graphics program for that so I can represent hair correctly - I'm glad you brought that to my attention.<br /><br />Cross section or round vs. oval doesn't seem to have a whole lot to do with elasticity and porosity. Not as much as hydration and lubrication and hair-width do. For that matter, hair care probably has more to do with elasticity and porosity than any of those variables. There are other things that are difficult to describe. Some people's porous hair behaves more like low porosity hair. Some people's low-porosity hair soaks up hair products. Those things can have a lot to do with local water chemistry - like chlorine and minerals/hardness - and climate.<br />Kinking hair can break more easily during handling, but if it is stretched with gentle and steadily increasing tension, it tends to be very close in elasticity to non-kinking hair. WWShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604766377332720162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-91736781653082783492016-11-17T18:21:50.493-06:002016-11-17T18:21:50.493-06:00I noticed the picture of the cross-section of the ...I noticed the picture of the cross-section of the hair is perfectly round. I know that African American hair-kinky hair in general tends to be more ovular than round. Mine especially- very oval-like. This plays a lot into elasticity and porocity, no?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15617413423298237066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-83307342931205619772016-08-24T18:15:48.488-05:002016-08-24T18:15:48.488-05:00It sounds counter-intuitive, doesn't it? If yo...It sounds counter-intuitive, doesn't it? If you apply a penetrating oil to porous hair, the overall effect is slowing down the speed that water will move into the hair.<br />With low-porosity hair, water moves in very slowly because the hair naturally repels water. In porous hair, too much water tends to move in too quickly, causing swelling inside the hair. But the cuticle layer can't swell - so there is stress inside the hair. Using a penetrating oil prevents that "too much water too fast" effect so porous hair isn't so stressed during washing.<br />Water will still get inside the hair. I advocate light oil applications, not heavy oil applications for that reason, it's a layer of protection, not an impermeable raincoat.WShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604766377332720162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000955270225133681.post-23852925680313535972016-08-18T13:16:15.331-05:002016-08-18T13:16:15.331-05:00If hydration means water inside the hair, then are...If hydration means water inside the hair, then are we preventing hydration if there is oil inside the hair instead of water? I was confused on this part thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17448054002518092884noreply@blogger.com