The highest porosity hair generally requires what type of solution during chemical treatments?

The highest porosity hair typically requires a more alkaline solution during chemical treatments. High porosity hair has a raised cuticle layer, which allows for more absorption of moisture and chemicals. This porous structure makes the hair more susceptible to chemical processes.

When using alkaline solutions, the raised cuticle layer is better able to open up, allowing the chemicals to penetrate effectively and facilitate the desired reaction for treatments such as color, perming, or relaxing. The increased pH of alkaline solutions helps to swell the hair shaft, enabling a more thorough chemical interaction.

In contrast, less alkaline or neutral solutions may not penetrate as effectively, making them less suitable for high porosity hair that already has a compromised structure. Acidic solutions tend to tighten the cuticle, which is counterproductive for treatments requiring access to the inner cortex of high porosity hair. Thus, a more alkaline solution works best in ensuring that the chemical treatment is both effective and beneficial for highly porous strands.