Hair porosity means the ability of hair strands to absorb and retain moisture. It is determined by the way cuticles are arranged. Hair porosity determines the texture of your hair. Using products and methods that suits your hair porosity is important to have healthy hair.
WHAT DETERMINES HAIR POROSITY
Genetics plays crucial role in determining the porosity of hair. But some external elements can also change hair porosity overtime.
There are several factors that can permanently affect your hair’s porosity, some more drastically than others:
- Excessive exposure to the sun, UVA and UVB rays
- Air pollution
- Dying your hair
- Frequent use of heat styling (flat irons, hair curlers etc.)
- Bleaching your hair
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT POROSITY TYPES?
LOW POROSITY:
In this type of hair, the cuticles (outer layer of hair strands) are tightly packed. This makes it difficult for moisture or hydration to penetrate.
How it looks
When touched individual hair strand, it might be smooth but at the same time dry and frizzy.
MEDIUM POROSITY:
In this type of hair, the cuticles (outer layer of hair strands) are slighted opened and not tightly packed.
How it looks
When touched individual hair strand, it might not be smooth but when cared properly have good level of hydration as loss of hydration is less in this type of hair.
HIGH POROSITY:
In this type of hair, the cuticles (outer layer of hair strands) are opened. Moisture and hydration are lost easily. Hair looks extremely damaged and rough if not cared properly.
How it looks
When touched individual hair strand, it feels rough.
HOW TO TEST HAIR POROSITY
Float Test
1. Grab few hair strands (after using clarifying shampoo, without any conditioner or product residue).
2. Drop these strands into a bowl or glass of room temperature water and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. If it floats then it has low porosity
4. If it sinks it has high porosity
5. If it is somewhere in between, you have medium porosity hair.
Different porosity needs different products and routine to maintain them in a healthy state. In upcoming articles I will share about routine and products for the 3 types of hair.