What is hair porosity?

Discovering hair porosity

Hair porosity refers to the ability of your hair to absorb and retain moisture. It's determined by the size of the cuticle scales on your hair strands. Understanding your hair porosity, whether low, medium, or high, can help you choose the right products and treatments to maintain healthy, hydrated hair.

Types of Hair Porosity

There are three main types of hair porosity:

• Low Porosity Hair: Low porosity hair has a tightly packed cuticle layer that makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate. If your hair tends to feel dry despite regular conditioning, this may be an indicator of low porosity. Products often sit on top of the hair rather than being absorbed, leading to product build-up and a dull appearance.
• Medium/Normal Porosity Hair: Medium or normal porosity hair can easily absorb and retain moisture. It responds well to most products and doesn't usually suffer from dryness, excessive frizz, or buildup.
• High Porosity Hair: Hair porosity hair has widely spaced cuticle scales. This type of hair absorbs moisture quickly but also loses it easily, often appearing dry and brittle. It can also lead to tangles and frizz.

How to Determine Your Hair Porosity

Determine your hair's porosity by either testing your hair or analyzing its' characteristics.

Hair Porosity Test

The most popular method for testing hair porosity is the float test. Here's how to perform it:

1. Take a clean strand of hair (preferably from the shed hair on a brush).
2. Place it in a glass of water.
3. Observe what happens within a few minutes:

Low Porosity Hair: Hairs tend to float due to tightly packed cuticles preventing moisture absorption.

Medium Porosity Hair: Sinks slowly at first, indicating a balanced ability to absorb and retain moisture.

High Porosity Hair: Sinks rapidly as the cuticles are looser, allowing excessive moisture to enter and escape easily.

The Characteristics of Each Hair Porosity Type

You can also determine your hair porosity by examining these characteristics:

• Low Porosity Hair Characteristics
  • Water beads up on the hair rather than absorbing.
  • Hair takes a long time to dry.
  • Product buildup happens easily; hair may feel greasy or coated.
  • Struggles with absorbing moisture and treatments and tends to feel dry despite using products.
• Medium/Normal Porosity Hair Characteristics
  • This is often considered the "ideal" texture.
  • Hair is shiny but not greasy.
  • Products tend to absorb well, and hair maintains its health without too much fuss.
  • Hair dries at a moderate rate, neither too fast nor too slow.
  • Absorbs moisture well and retains it without product buildup.
• High Porosity Hair Characteristics
  • Hair dries very quickly after washing.
  • It tends to be frizzy, prone to tangling, and feels rough or brittle.
  • Easily absorbs moisture but loses it quickly, leading to dryness, tangles, and frizz.
  • Often associated with damage from heat or chemical treatments.

Treating High Porosity Hair

• Deep Conditioning: Regularly deep condition your hair to replenish moisture.
• Protein Treatments: Use protein treatments and hair oils to strengthen damaged hair and seal the cuticle.
• Avoid Heat Styling: Minimize heat styling to prevent further damage.
• Gentle Products: Use sulfate-free and silicone-free products to avoid stripping your hair of natural oils.

Treating Low Porosity Hair

• Clarifying Shampoos: Use clarifying shampoos to remove product buildup.
• Moisture-Based Products: Opt for moisturizing hair products like leave-in conditioner that can penetrate the hair cuticle.
• Wash With Warm Water: A good practice is using warm water during washing to help lift the cuticles slightly.
• Steam Treatments: Use steam treatments to help open the cuticle and improve moisture absorption.

By understanding your hair porosity and tailoring your hair care routine accordingly, you can improve the health and appearance of your hair.

Sources: Healthline, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, WebMD

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