Are you experiencing more breakage than usual? Are you wondering if you’ve overdone it on heat or color processing? Asking yourself these questions may indicate that your hair is high porosity. So what does that mean? Simply put, high porosity hair can take in moisture (which is a great thing). But it has difficulty retaining it because the cuticle is open and lifted—this is usually a result of damage from hair color and chemical treatments (think: relaxers, etc.).
So, what does this mean for your hair care routine? Well, your hair will need a dose of protein and moisture. Protein is excellent for rebuilding the hair cuticle; however, too much protein can mean crunchy, dry hair, so that is where moisture comes in. Some moisturizing ingredients to look for in your formulas are jojoba oil, shea butter, avocado oil, and mango butter.
Now that we’ve discussed some ingredients that are best for high porosity hair, here are a few products —many with nearly five-star reviews—that can help revive your hair.
Design Essentials Oat Protein & Henna Deep Cleansing Shampoo
Design Essentials
Healthy hair starts with shampoo. If your hair struggles to retain moisture, formulas with humectants that draw moisture in will be your hair care BFF. Formulated with oat protein and henna, this cleansing yet hydrating shampoo has a dynamic duo at the helm that increases hydration while strengthening the hair.
ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment
ApHogee
If you ask anyone what at-home protein treatment they are using, this one is likely high on the list. If you're experiencing breakage or are afraid you've overprocessed your hair with bleach or an overabundance of heat styling, this treatment should be helpful. Now, you have to follow the instructions to the letter because if you don't, you'll end up with dry hair. Additionally, because this two-step treatment is made of activated proteins and magnesium that are activated by heat, using this with a hooded dryer will yield the best benefits.
Briogeo Don't Despair Repair Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment
Briogeo
For a protein treatment that takes a more natural approach, this weekly strengthening treatment boasting a nearly five-star review should be in your cart. Formulated with a cuticle-strengthening rice protein complex, this treatment will help bring your hair back to its best self.
Adwoa Beauty Baomint Deep Conditioning Treatment
Adwoa
When using proteins in your routine, moisture is equally as important. So we love that this beloved formula is made with nourishing superstar shea butter alongside fatty acid-rich prickly pear oil because it will work as the ultimate hydrator in tandem with products that help rebuild the hair cuticle.
MIELLE Avocado Moisturizing Hair Milk
MIELLE
For an extra dose of moisture, apply this aloe-, glycerin-, and avocado-infused hair milk to your hair before layering on your stylers. Because aloe and glycerin are humectants, this will help draw moisture into the hair well beyond your wash day.
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector
Olaplex
Don't sleep on pre-poo treatments. Since adding a pre-poo to my routine, I've seen a significant difference in the health of my ends which means length retention. Like the protein treatment listed above, to get the full benefits from this bond-building protector, be sure to follow the instructions by applying it to damp hair and leaving it on for at least 10 minutes before shampooing.
The Mane Choice Crystal Orchid Biotin Infused Styling Gel
The Mane Choice
Packed with biotin and vitamin D, this silicone-free gel defines curls, smooths frizz, and strengthens the hair. An added bonus: the formula is easily reactivated with water if you need to revive your curls throughout the week.
Featured image by Laylabird/Getty Images
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However, because you need dopamine in order to do so many daily functions (some signs that you are low in dopamine are located here, by the way), the focus shouldn’t be to avoid these rushes altogether. First, make sure that your “preferred hits” are used responsibly (and that you factor in short as well as long-term consequences or outcomes).
Secondly, check out the following 10 things that you can do to get a fix in a healthy (or healthier) way. Things that can benefit your mind, body, and spirit overall — so that your pleasure doesn’t come with any unexpected “extras.”
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1. Eat Foods That Are High in Tyrosine
Tyrosine is an amino acid. Your system needs it because it helps to reduce stress, boosts cognitive function and it helps your system to produce dopamine. That’s why it’s such a good idea to consume foods that are high in tyrosine including chicken, turkey, eggs, pumpkin seeds, lima beans, cheese and nuts.
2. Consume More Protein and Less Saturated Fat
Speaking of tyrosine, since amino acids are considered to be “the building blocks of protein” and protein is a rich source of tyrosine, you should also consume protein-rich foods like salmon, beef, bison, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, peas and quinoa. Just make sure that when you eat meat, you watch how you prepare it because saturated fats (like animal fat and dairy) can actually disrupt how dopamine is processed within your system.
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3. Take a Probiotic
You may already be aware of the fact that probiotics can do wonders for your gut health. However, were you aware that research also says it can help to put you in a better mood as well? Probably the easiest way to explain it is, your gut and brain are connected via something known as a gut-brain axis. And so, since your gut produces some of the same neurotransmitters as your brain does (including dopamine), when your gut is strong and healthy, it gives off a stronger “dopamine vibe” which, in turn, makes you feel better. The more you know. So, since a probiotic helps your gut to thrive — there you go.
4. Take a Multivitamin Too
Remember how I briefly referenced dopamine deficiency earlier? A few signs that you need more dopamine in your system include having trouble concentrating, being moody, having a decreased libido, your weight fluctuating (for what appears to be no reason) and you not being able to sleep (well) — and sometimes, these things are directly tied into not having enough of certain vitamins and minerals in your system. That’s why taking a multivitamin can also be good for you, as far as your dopamine levels are concerned.
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5. Spend More Time in the Sun
I’ve said a billion times before that I like random information. Well, while reading an article on natural ways to treat Parkinson’s disease, it stated that something that naturally increases dopamine levels is spending time in the sun. Apparently, when cells in your retina are exposed to sunlight, they send messages to cells that produce dopamine, so that your dopamine levels increase. So, if you like to exercise or just enjoy quiet time, consider doing it outside more often. Your dopamine levels will adore it.
6. Set a Goal. Then Reach It.
Even though there are some haters out in the universe who believe that too much hype is put into goal-setting (crazy, right?), so much scientific research disagrees. In fact, some studies cite that when you set a goal, that automatically causes your dopamine levels to spike, because it feels good to do something that will motivate, inspire and ultimately cause you to become a better person. Now just imagine how even better you will feel once you reach the goal that you set. AMEN?
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7. Listen to Instrumental Music
Wanna improve your sex life? Check out “Before You Pull Out Your Playlist, This Is How Music Affects Your Sex Life.” Along these same lines, wanna increase your dopamine levels via another all-natural way? Listen to instrumental music. According to science, dopamine is activated via stimuli like instrumental music. In fact, not only can listening to it make you feel a lot better, playing an instrument can too.
8. Meditate
If you don’t meditate on a consistent basis, you absolutely should ponder doing so. Studies show that it helps to decrease stress and anxiety levels, it improves your emotional health, it makes you more self-aware, strengthens your memory and even helps you to be a kinder individual. Know what else meditation has the ability to do: elevate your dopamine levels. According to science, by getting still and then concentrating on that stillness for a certain amount of time will provide certain neurotransmitters in your system with a real boost — including dopamine.
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9. Do What (Responsibly) Feels Good
When’s the last time that you did something purely for the fun of it? Believe it or not, there is a pretty popular study out here which says that most of us only spend three percent of each day doing something that we thoroughly enjoy. Y’all, it really is kind of wild that we don’t prioritize two things that are directly tied to our overall happiness and well-being: hobbies and quality rest (which I will get to in just a sec). That said, never feel guilty about choosing to participate in activities that make you laugh, bring excitement into your life and cause you to feel good about life. So long as you’re acting responsibly, it’s the right thing for you to do.
10. Get More Rest
Dopamine is on a cycle. That’s why it’s critical to get no less than 6-8 hours on a consistent basis; that way, dopamine can build back up in your system, so that you will have enough to get through the next day. So, if you are someone who keeps treating sleep more like a luxury than a priority, here’s hoping that this will finally get you to take shut-eye more seriously.
Your dopamine levels are dependent on it — which means that you enjoying life more does too, chile.
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