Why do these hair products not work for my hair, why is my hair so dull and frizzy, and what kind of hair porosity do I have? Are these thoughts bothering you? Then do not worry because we have got you covered! Simply know your hair porosity type and solve all of those problem fundamentals.

What is hair porosity?

Hair porosity Is the ability of your hair to absorb and retain moisture. But how is it determined? It is determined by the condition of the outermost layer of your hair strand- the hair cuticle. Cuticles are either tightly packed or open, affecting your hair’s interaction with moisture and haircare products.

When the cuticles are tightly packed, it is quite difficult for the moisture to get absorbed but once it does, it locks in perfectly. Ironically, when the cuticles are more open, it is more likely for the moisture to get absorbed quickly and dry out quickly.

Why does hair porosity matter?

Knowing your hair porosity can help you choose the right products for your hair. Whether your hair is oily, frizzy, or dry, understanding its porosity can help you address these issues more effectively.

Different types of Hair porosity

There are three types of Hair porosity:

1) Low porosity

Low porosity hair is a hair type that does not readily absorb moisture. Haircare products tend to stay on the surface of your hair rather than getting absorbed. This makes haircare products less effective. This kind of hair type also takes a longer time to wash and dry than normal or high-porosity hair. This is because it repels water, stopping it from penetrating the hair strand.

what are the signs of low-porosity hair?

• water beads remain on your hair instead of getting absorbed
• No deeper penetration of products
• and longer time for hair drying

2) Medium/Regular porosity

This kind of hair type has a more balanced cuticle structure. This allows the hair to absorb and retain more moisture. Medium porosity hair is usually very healthy and requires less maintenance. It also responds well to haircare products and any kind of chemical hair treatments.

What are the signs of medium-porosity hair?

• It does not long time for hair drying
• your hair holds style well
• Not necessary to use hair moisture in large quantities

3) High-porosity

High porosity hair has gaps and holes in the cuticle which allows the moisture to enter and leave easily. This hair type does absorb the products quickly but also loses it fast. Hence it is difficult to retain the moisture though the absorbing capacity is high. It is more prone to dry and frizzy hair.

What are the signs of high-porosity hair?

• Hair dries quickly after washing
• It tends to be more dry and frizzy
• hair absorbs product quickly but dries fast

Tests to know your hair porosity?

So how to know which is your hair porosity type, here are a few ways to identify:

1) Float test:

This is a very simple technique and most effective which can be done easily at home. the general procedure for doing this test is as follows:

• Fill a glass with water at room temperature.
• Take a clean strand of hair that is just worn off and place it in water.
• Observe what happens for the next few minutes.

Observations-

• If the hair strand floats on top of the surface of the water then it is – Low porosity.
• If the hair strand floats in the middle then it is- Medium porosity.
• If the hair strand settles in the bottom of the glass then it is- High porosity.

Check this article to understand better about Float test

2) Slip and slide test:

This technique is also easy and can be performed at home but requires keen observation. The general procedure is as follows:

• Take a strand of your hair and slide the fingers up the shaft from the tip to the root.
• As you move your fingers, feel for the bumps on the hair strand.

Observations-

• If your hair feels smooth along with some bumps then it is- Medium porosity.
• If your hair feels smooth then it is- Low porosity.
• If your hair feels bumpy and rough then it is- High porosity.

Now that you know your hair porosity type, let us quickly understand a few methods to care for your hair depending on your hair porosity type-

1) Low-porosity hair type

• Use lightweight oils: choose lightweight oils that do not sit on your hair and provide deeper penetration. Some of them include jojoba oil which is considered to be the best oil for low porosity type. But do you know why? click here to know more!
• Apply heat: Use heat before deep conditioning to open up the cuticles.

2) Medium-porosity hair type

• Balanced products: Use products that contain enough proteins and hydration components.
• Frequent conditioning: Regular conditioning can help maintain your hair health.

3) High-porosity hair type

• Use heavy creams: Heavier products can help to lock moisture in your hair.
• Avoid Overwashing: Frequent washing can strip the hair’s natural oils leading to dryness.

Understanding hair porosity is key to achieving healthy, well-maintained hair.

By knowing whether your hair has low, medium, or high porosity, you can tailor your hair care routine to meet its specific needs, ensuring that your hair looks and feels its best.

I hope we have answered all your queries, wishing you the best for your hair!

We are open to answering more queries through the comments below.