What Is Your Hair's Porosity Level? Tests, Care, and Mistakes

What does hair porosity mean?

To help you understand the concept of hair porosity, here are a few definitions regarding the structure of your hair, which consists of three layers. These layers include:

Cuticle: This is the hard, protective outer layer of the hair, which consists of smaller cuticles that overlap one another, much like shingles on a roof.

Cuticle: This is the thickest layer of the hair. It contains fibrous proteins and pigment, which gives the hair its color.

Medulla: This is the soft central part of the hair shaft.

To keep your hair healthy and hydrated, water, oils, and other moisturizing products must be able to pass through the cuticle to reach the cortex.

If the cuticles are too close together, it's difficult for water and oils to penetrate the hair. This can make it harder for your hair to get the moisture it needs.

If your cuticles are too far apart, your hair will have trouble retaining moisture and staying hydrated.

What causes low or high hair porosity?

How your hair absorbs and retains moisture is largely determined by genetics. So if low-porosity hair runs in your family, there’s a good chance you’ll have low-porosity hair as well. Although genetics can influence porosity, it isn’t the only contributing factor.

Blow-drying, bleaching, straightening, over-washing, and using the wrong products—all of these can damage your hair over time. This can cause your hair cuticles to lift and open, making it harder for your hair to retain moisture.

In addition to hair treatments, excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation can also increase your hair's porosity. To protect your hair from the sun, wear a hat or some other form of head covering when you're outdoors.

Is there an easy way to test hair porosity? One of the easiest ways to test hair porosity is to use a glass of water.

Procedure:

1. Wash your hair with shampoo and rinse with water to remove product buildup
2. Fill a glass with water
3. Once your hair is clean and dry, put a strand of hair in a glass of water
4. Watch the hair to see if it sinks to the bottom of the glass or floats up toward the surface

Results

Low porosity

If a strand of hair floats on the surface before sinking, you probably have low-porosity hair.

Normal porosity

If the strand floats somewhere in the middle of the glass, you probably have hair with medium or normal porosity.

High porosity

If the hair sinks quickly to the bottom of the glass, you probably have highly porous hair.

You can also test the porosity level by running your finger along a strand of hair. Hair with low porosity will feel smooth, while hair with high porosity will feel rough and bumpy because the cuticles are open.

Characteristics of Low-Porosity Hair

In hair with low porosity, the cuticles are tightly closed and very close together. This makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate the hair shaft.

You may have low-porosity hair if:

• Hair products tend to sit on the hair and are difficult to absorb
• It's difficult for water to thoroughly saturate the hair while washing it
• It takes a long time for hair to air-dry

Characteristics of Hair with Medium Porosity

In hair with medium or normal porosity, the cuticles are not too close together, but they are not too open either. This allows moisture to penetrate easily and also makes it easier to retain moisture for a longer period of time.

You may have medium-porosity hair if:

• The hair is easy to style, and the hairstyle lasts a long time
• The hair takes the dye well
• Hair tends to look shiny and healthy
• It doesn't take very long for hair to air-dry

Heat damage and other chemical processes can cause the hair's normal porosity to change over time.

Characteristics of Hair with Higher Porosity

Whether due to genetics or hair damage, highly porous hair absorbs moisture easily into the hair shaft but is unable to retain it for long. This is because the cuticles tend to have gaps between them.

You may have high-porosity hair if:

• Water and other moisturizing products are quickly absorbed into the hair
• Hair tends to break easily
• Her hair tends to be frizzy and dry
• It doesn't take long for hair to air-dry

Can you change the porosity of your hair?

If you have genetically high or low hair porosity, you may not be able to change it. However, according to hair care experts, there are things you can do to make your hair healthier and easier to manage.

For low-porosity hair

Use protein-free conditioners. These tend to be absorbed more easily by the hair and are less likely to cause product buildup.

Apply the conditioner to damp hair. Diluting the conditioner can help it absorb into your hair more easily.

Look for ingredients like glycerin and honey in shampoos and conditioners. Avoid products containing oils, as they tend to penetrate the cuticle less effectively.

Apply heat when styling your hair. Use a hair steamer, a heated cap, or a blow-dry cap. If you don't have any of these, put a shower cap on your hair as soon as you apply the conditioner.

For highly porous hair

Look for ingredients such as oils and butters in shampoos and conditioners. These ingredients will help moisturize your hair.

Use conditioner and a hair mask. These products help your hair retain moisture.

Use a heat-protectant on your hair. Apply this product before blow-drying or using other heat-based styling treatments. This will help protect your hair from heat damage.

Avoid using hot water when shampooing and conditioning. Use lukewarm water instead.

All in all

Hair porosity may not be a term you hear very often. But knowing your hair’s porosity can help you better understand how to treat and care for your hair. And that can lead to stronger, healthier hair.

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