Have you ever face yourself in a battle with frizz and dry hair? For those who do not know, hair porosity may be a prime of your concerns. Yet, you do not need to worry. By figuring out your hair’s porosity level and finding suitable products with your hair type, it is certainly possible to bring a balance. This post today is going to help you understand deeply what is hair porosity and what is it related to your hair concerns. There an amazing bonus about characteristics of each hair porosity level at the end so don’t miss out any part.
Read on now!
What is hair porosity
Regarding the question “ what is hair porosity?”, experts explain that hair porosity simply refers to how well your hair can be able to absorb and hold on moisture. It is affected by the flexible exterior hair layer called the cuticle, which determines how easily oils and moisture pass in and out of your hair. For most, porosity can be genetic, yet can it also be affected by external factors like heat treatments, exposure, or chemical processing. It is more likely to choose the right products if you know your hair porosity level. This helps you keep your hair well-moisturized, healthy and gorgeous.
How to determine your hair porosity level
Finding out hair’s porosity level can be the key to solving several of your hair problems. Hair porosity types are basically broken down into three categories: compact cuticle (low porosity), normal or raised cuticle (high porosity).
So how to test your hair porosity level? It is super easy to do this. Follow 3 useful methods below:
Method 1: The strand test
- Smoothly stretch a tiny section of curl strands from areas of your head – front hairline, nape, and temple
- Place the stretched curl between your thumb and finger and slide it up from the hair tip towards the scalp
If your fingers move easily up the strand and feel it dense and hard, you have low porosity hair. If you feel it smooth, you have normal porosity hair. And if you feel the strand rough or dry or the hair breaks, you have high porosity hair.
Method 2: The H2O test
- Fill a glass or bowl (with room temperature)
- Take a couple strands of your hair and put them in the water
Note: it is very important for you to take clean hair because if you have oils or any products on your hair, it will alter your results.
- Observe it for 3-5 minutes
If your hair is still floating 4 minutes later left, you have low porosity. If your hair is slowly sinking, you have normal porosity. And if your hair sinks immediately (absorbed the water and sank quickly), it has raised cuticle.
Method 3: The spray bottle test
- Take a small section of your hair then pin the rest back
- Spray a little water into the section, just enough to mist it
Now let’s look at a result! If the water sits on top of your hair, you have low porosity hair. If the water beads up on your hair for a couple of minutes then is absorbed, it has the normal one. If your hair absorbs the water quickly, you have the high one.
How to care for each hair porosity level
Low hair porosity
Low porosity hair has very compact cuticles, so it is hard to inject moisture into the hair shaft (although does it hold on moisture once it absorbs). Follow these helpful tricks:
- Always distribute products evenly throughout your hair making sure not to put too much on
- Use heat to open the cuticles to let the moisture in (hot water, heated deep conditioners, etc.). You can use hair dryers to heat your conditioner while it is on your hair
- Apply products to damp, not drenched hair
- Use sulfate-free shampoos or rinses such as baking soda or apple cider vinegar treatments to remove build up on low hair porosity
- Use good lighter products such as argan oil and grapeseed oil
Normal hair porosity
Normal porosity hair has compact cuticles, which easily let moisture enter in. So keep doing what you are doing! Your hair is healthy. In general, your transition will be relatively easy and quick.
- Maintain doing regular deep conditioning treatments to get good product absorption
High hair porosity
Because highly porous hair can lose moisture easily, it’s important to use products as well as appropriate treatments that help it retain as much moisture as possible. Follow these magical tips:
- Egg masks are great for high porosity hair. The egg’s protein assists in restores and strengthens the cuticles
Note: Don’t do it too often because too much protein will lead to your hair to become rough and break.
- Coconut oil and Aloe vera gel are great treatments for high porosity hair
- Deep conditioning products help to restore and heal the damaged cuticles
- Rinse with cold water to seal the cuticle and prevent frizz
- Use minimal heat. It’s the best way to air dry your hair naturally
- Detangle gently with a wide-tooth brush to prevent hair loss and reduce to damage hairư
A bonus:
Traits of low hair porosity
- Hair takes a long time to dry
- Natural oils don’t readily penetrate because Cuticles are closed
- Products build up your hair instead of absorbing
- Does not absorb hair color or treatments easily
- Looks healthy but doesn’t have much elasticity or volume
Traits of normal hair porosity
- Requires very little maintenances
- Absorbs and holds on the perfect amount of moisture
- Easily enters in and retains moisture inside the cuticle
- Shiny, healthy, a lot of volume
- Holds styles well
- Can be colored with right results
- Curls are full of bounce and elasticity
Traits of high hair porosity
- Absorbs too much moisture, but is unable to retain it
- Looks and feels dry, rough and dull
- Generally damaged
- Tangles easily because the cuticles get caught on each other
- Hair dries rapidly and curls tend to be frizzy
Now, do you understand what is porosity and find out what your hair porosity level yet? Have you ever tried to test your hair by those above ways? Share with us your experiences. If you have any questions about our article, don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts in the comment section below!
I am Thomas Taw, the CEO of CITIZENSNIPS. I have experience in hair product development and chemical research, as well as sustainable resource engineering. In 2009, I co-created Sunsilk, one of the world's leading haircare brands. More recently, I was the CEO of SMOKINGPANDA LTD. I am a professional with a strong track record in delivering tangible results.
Thanks for sharing an explanation about low porosity hair. I am looking for such an article for a long time. Keep writing.