Why is my hair so porous?

[SheeJee]

I think my hair is very porous, it takes about 10 minutes (when I clarify my hair and don't use any cones on it that is) to completely dry and it is APL wavy hair. I think this is unusual because I see most people on LHC talking about why their hair takes so long to dry... hence I think my hair loses moisture easily = porous?

I'm just wondering why it's so porous, is it merely genetics? I've been heat styling my hair for years and have maybe box dyed my hair 3-4 times in my whole life, with months/years gap in between dyeing.

I have just henna'd my hair for the first time yesterday and it made my hair very dry and did not change the colour too much (I have black hair).

I was wondering if anyone knew why my hair is so porous and are there any ways to decrease/improve hair porosity? Thank you!

[xoxophelia]

Your hair might dry so quickly because you are F/i. My healthier hair does take longer to dry but overall my dry time has to do with thickness and heavy strands I think. My hair isn't overly nonporous and can take 4-8 hours depending on the temperature.

Ways to improve how porous your hair is: stop heat styling, using dyes or perms, use medium to cool temperature water, avoid excess sun exposure to the hair.

[Avital88]

heat styling for sure! are you still doing that now? my best tip for you to grow hair is to stop heat styling, the moment i quitted that my hair started to grow and after 3 months being in a transition period it became to look better natural than styled.. good luck!

[Alaia]

I've been heat styling my hair for years

That's a bingo!

TBH though, your hair might not be so porous, it's usually to do with your hair type as well as how damaged it is.

[amantha]

I agree with the others saying it's your hair type. I have fine/medium hair, I think it's about a ii as well. It goes to my almost to my waist and it only takes about an hour, tops, to dry (if I leave it down). I don't think my hair is particularly porous because I always air dry and only heat style like maybe 3 times a year. I also give it a rinse of cold water at the end of every shower to close the cuticles. But yeah, if your hair is on the finer side that's probably why and I wouldn't worry about it too much.