Meaning ❉ Hair Porosity Oiling refers to the mindful selection and application of botanical lipids to textured strands, specifically guided by the hair’s inherent ability to welcome and retain hydration. This tailored practice acknowledges the distinct structural variations across coils, kinks, and waves, particularly within Black and mixed-race hair lineages. Understanding one’s hair porosity—whether the cuticles lie tightly (low porosity) or are more open (high porosity)—allows for a deliberate, systematized approach to oil use. This precision moves beyond general conditioning, aiding in creating a routine that responds directly to the hair’s needs, like offering lighter, penetrating oils to low porosity hair or more substantial, sealing oils to higher porosity types. The practical implementation of this knowledge aids in optimizing moisture preservation, minimizing friction-related damage, and contributing to the sustained health and length retention that many seek for their heritage hair. It brings a gentle certainty to daily care.
