Let’s talk hair porosity

Let’s talk hair Porosity 

What is it? 

Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. 
It is determined by the structure of the hair cuticle the outermost layer of the hair shaft. The cuticle acts like a protective barrier, and its tightness or openness directly affects how easily water, oils, and products can enter or escape the hair strand.

There are Three types of hair porosity 

•Low porosity hair has tightly bound, flat cuticles that resist moisture absorption. This makes it hard for water and products to penetrate, often leading to product buildup and slow drying times.
•Medium porosity hair has a balanced cuticle structure that allows moderate moisture absorption and retention. This type typically holds styles well and feels healthy with minimal frizz.
•High porosity hair has lifted or damaged cuticles with gaps and holes, allowing moisture to enter quickly but also escape just as fast. This often results in dryness, frizz, brittleness, and quick drying after washing. 
How to determine your hair porosity at home? 

Float Test: Take a clean strand of hair (free of product) and drop it into a glass of water. Wait 2–4 minutes:
If the hair floats, it’s likely low porosity. 
If it sinks slowly or stays in the middle, it’s likely medium porosity.
If it sinks quickly, it’s likely high porosity.

Hair porosity is influenced by genetics, but can also change due to heat styling, aging, chemical treatments, UV exposure, and harsh products. 
To monitor your hairs porosity for changes you can; 
•Repeat float tests 
•Shower test observing how long it takes for your hair to absorb water 
•Professional analysis services 
•Tracking hair health by monitoring for symptoms like increased breakage, dryness, frizz, loss of curl definition, difficulty retaining moisture. 

Knowing your hair’s porosity helps you choose the right products and routines to maintain hydration, reduce breakage, and support healthy hair growth.
•Low porosity hair needs lightweight, water-based products and gentle heat to open cuticles. Low porosity hair easily accumulates heavy products leading to build up. 
•high porosity hair benefits from rich conditioners, protein treatments, and sealing oils to lock in moisture.