Low, medium or high: what is your hair porosity status?
Know which products and treatments are best suited to your hair’s porosity to get that freshly styled, salon look at home.
Using lots of products, yet not getting results? It all starts with understanding your hair porosity.
What is “hair porosity”?
It’s your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture and determines how well oils and other products pass in and out of the hair cuticle (the flexible, outer layer around each strand of hair).
How do you know how porous your hair is?
The answer is simple: do the float test. Just drop a few strands of hair from your hairbrush into a bowl of water and leave for 2-4 minutes. If your hair floats, you have low porosity and if they sink, you have high porosity.
Low porosity
The cuticles are tightly bound together making it harder for moisture to penetrate the hair shaft and be absorbed, which causes build-up. Low porosity hair is typically very dry and requires a good, leave-in moisturiser with ingredients such as honey, shea butter, jojoba and coconut oil. Apply to wet hair, as it may be absorbed more easily if it’s a little diluted. Use a steamer or heat cap to apply heat when you condition your hair as this will help the product penetrate the hair shaft more easily.
Medium / normal porosity
Your hair takes colour well, can be easily styled, is shiny and doesn’t take long to air dry. Medium porosity hair calls for the least amount of maintenance, as it absorbs moisture easily and retains it, thanks to the cuticles being less tightly bound – lucky you! Maintain your hair’s health with an occasional deep conditioning treatment to maintain your hair’s health.
High porosity
Absorbing moisture is no problem, but retaining it is difficult, as the cuticles are widely spread out. This type of hair breaks easily, can be excessively dry and struggles to hold colour. Use moisturising products that contain butters and oils to help moisturise, define and strengthen your hair. Opt for lukewarm water when washing your hair and apply a heat protectant product as well as a leave-in conditioner before styling or blow drying.
