How to Fix Hygral Fatigue Damage in High Porosity Hair
Did you ever think it was possible to over-moisturize your hair? It sounds crazy but it's true. There was a time when hair products stripped our hair and made our tresses dry. This made us want to slather on and layer products to moisturize and get the look we wanted. Nowadays, hair products are much better at moisturizing and can cause us to over-moisturize and damage your crown.
It's called Hygral Fatigue. Hygral fatigue happens to high porosity hair and is very damaging. High porosity hair has very open cuticles, which make it easy to absorb or release water. Low porosity hair most likely will not experience hygral fatigue because the cuticle is closed and has a hard time letting in and retaining water.
Hygral fatigue is caused by over conditioning. Over conditioning can happen by constantly leaving your deep conditioner in your hair overnight or keeping your hair wet and not letting is completely dry. It can also happen if you don't maintain the correct protein levels in your hair. Low porosity hair has very high levels of protein which make it less prone to hygral fatigue damage.
Signs of Hygral Fatigue
If you notice that your curl pattern starts to get looser and your tresses look limp or feel mushy when wet, and if you have excessive shedding and breakage, then you are experiencing hygral fatigue. If you notice you have less shrinkage than usual or when you pull it, it doesn't return back to its normal state, you have signs of hygral fatigue damage.
How to Fix Hygral Fatigue Damage in High Porosity Hair
High porosity hair has very open cuticles which is why it's prone to hygral fatigue damage. The open cuticles allow the moisture to enter and sit. Restoring protein will correct the problem but you must be careful. Too much protein can cause your tresses to become brittle and this will lead to breakage. You have to find a balance between protein and moisture. The protein will strengthen the cuticle and the moisture will prevent breakage.
Our tresses have their own personality. Some tresses love protein and some don't like it at all. Be sure to use trial and error when using conditioners with protein. Don't overdo it with the protein if your hair is not used to it.
Pre-pooing is another great way to prevent hygral fatigue. Sealing your tresses with oil will help keep moisture in your hair so it won't contract as it dries.
Our tresses naturally have an acidic pH level of 4.5 - 5.5. When you use products with a lower pH level, it helps to close the cuticle which can help prevent hygral fatigue damage.
Be conscious of the types of oils you're putting on your hair. There are penetrating moisturizing oils and there are sealing oils.
Here's a list to help you out.
