Umi’s Roots Hair Type

How-To Guide

step 1

Determine Your Curl Pattern

4 - Kinky (Coily): 4a - 4c

Fairly coarse in texture, Kinky (Coily) hair is broadly defined as a tight curl pattern and is known for its versatility of style and resilience. This hair type can get tangled easily and is prone to heat damage and dryness, which can result in breakage and damage if not properly maintained and moisturized.

3 - Curly Hair: 3a - 3c

Comprised of a combination of textures ranging from loose to tight curls, this curl pattern has a signature of voluminous body and bouncy curls. It can be prone to frizziness and dehydration so this hair type needs to be properly moisturized and treated with care.

2 - Wavy Hair: 2a - 2c

The care-free and energetic wavy curl pattern dances between straight and curly possessing textures that range from fine, to thick, coarse, or medium. This hair type needs moisture that doesn’t weigh down the natural lustrous wave.

1 - Straight Hair: 1a - 1c

This mirror-like reflective hair texture can range from soft and silky, to fine, showing little to no volume. The straight hair type often has a high amount of oil secretion making it prone to tangles and a high potential for greasy locks if not washed often.

step 2

Understand Porosity

Porosity refers to how well your hair is able to absorb and hold moisture. It is affected by the flexible outer hair layer called the cuticle, which determines how easily moisture and oils pass in and out of your hair. For most, porosity is genetic, but it can also be affected by external factors such as exposure, heat treatments, and chemical processing. Knowing your hair's porosity can help you choose the right products to keep your hair well-moisturized, supple, strong, and shiny.

DETERMINING HAIR POROSITY

There are two methods you can use to find out how porous your hair is.

1. The Float Test:

Take a couple of recently cleaned and dry hair strands from your comb or brush and drop them into a cup or bowl of water. Let them sit for 2-4 minutes. If your hair floats, you have low porosity. If it sinks, you have high porosity.

2. The Slip'n'Slide Test:

Take a strand of hair and slide your fingers up the shaft (toward the scalp). If you feel little bumps along the way, this means that your cuticle is lifted and that you have high porosity. If your fingers slip more smoothly, then you may have low porosity hair.

Low Porosity

Hair with low porosity has:
  • A tightly bound cuticle layer with overlapping scales that lay flat

  • Repels moisture when wet

  • Resists penetration of chemicals

  • Prone to build-up from protein-rich deep conditioning products

Caring For Low Porosity Hair
  • Stick to protein-free conditioners with humectants such as glycerin or honey

  • Use moderate heat with protein-free deep conditioning treatments to help open up the tightly bound cuticle

  • Use humectant products, which attract and hold moisture to your hair

  • Choose lighter, liquid-based products that won't sit on your hair and leave it greasy

medium Porosity

Hair with medium porosity has:
  • The cuticle layer is looser and allows for a good balance of moisture retention to escape

  • Hair with medium porosity tends to hold styles well

Caring For Medium Porosity Hair
  • Occasional deep conditioning treatments with protein conditioners

  • Proteins should not be included in your daily regimen

High Porosity

Hair with high porosity has:
  • Can be the result of damage from chemical processing, rough treatment, or environmental damage

  • Has gaps and cavities in the cuticle

  • Allows more moisture than necessary

  • Prone to frizz and tangling in humid weather

Caring For Medium Porosity Hair:
  • Use anti-humectants in climates with high heat and humidity

  • Use leave-in conditioners, moisturizers, and sealers

  • Layering clean products will help your hair hold on to the moisture you're giving it

  • Use a conditioning butter to help seal the gaps in your damaged cuticles and further protect your hair from losing too much moisture

step 3

Using Umi’s Roots Based on Curl Pattern and Porosity

Hair Type: 3b - 4c
Porosity: *Low - High

  • *Pre-poo - Add a tablespoon or more of Umi’s Roots® into your favorite leave-in conditioner and apply before washing hair to assist in the detangling process and nourishment of the scalp

  • *Deep Conditioning Booster - Add a tablespoon or more of Umi’s Roots® into your favorite conditioner/deep conditioner to boost effectiveness

  • Use As A Growth Aid - Apply Umi’s Roots®  to a clean scalp to assist in your body's natural ability to grow healthy hair

  • To Strengthen Hair Folical - Apply to hair strands as needed to help strengthen your strand to reduce hair fall and contribute to your hair’s health

*For best results on low to medium porosity hair, sit under a hooded dryer or heat cap to open up the hair cuticle.

Hair Type: 1a-3a
Porosity: Low* - High

To nourish dry and brittle hair:
  • Section hair and apply Umi’s Roots® directly to the scalp and gently massage

  • Liberally apply to hair strands as needed ensuring even distribution*

  • Allow Umi's Roots natural hair oil to penetrate hair and scalp for 30 minutes or leave overnight

  • Shampoo and condition hair as normal

  • May also be applied after a blow-dry to smooth hair follicles

*For best results on low to medium porosity hair, sit under a hooded dryer or heat cap to open up the hair cuticle.

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