Knowing your hair type is very important. A hair porosity test helps you to understand your hair needs and then according to your hair needs you can select the best product and treatments for your hair.
- What is Hair Porosity?
- Types of Hair Porosity
- How to Determine Hair Porosity
- Best Treatments for Low Porosity Hair
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity is a term that refers to how easily hair can absorb and retain moisture. Hair porosity is determined by the hair's cuticle, which is the outermost layer of the hair strand. The cuticle can be tightly packed, partially raised, or fully raised, affecting the hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture.
What is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity is a term that refers to how easily hair can absorb and retain moisture. Hair porosity is determined by the hair's cuticle, which is the outermost layer of the hair strand. The cuticle can be tightly packed, partially raised, or fully raised, affecting the hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture.
Types of Hair Porosity:
- High Porosity Hair
- Medium Porosity Hair
- Low Porosity Hair
Low Porosity Hair
Low porosity hair has a tightly closed-together cuticle layer that makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate the hair strand. As a result, it can take longer for low-porosity hair to absorb moisture. Low-porosity hair is also prone to product buildup and can be challenging to moisturize.
Normal Porosity Hair
Normal porosity hair has a partially raised cuticle layer, making it easier for moisture to penetrate the hair strand. Normal porosity hair retains moisture well and is less prone to breakage.
High Porosity Hair
High porosity hair has a fully raised cuticle layer, making it easy for moisture to penetrate the hair strand. However, high-porosity hair also loses moisture quickly, making it more prone to breakage and damage.
How to Determine Your Hair Porosity
Determining your hair porosity type is essential for creating a hair care routine that meets your hair's needs. There are three methods you can use to determine your hair porosity.
Float Test
To determine your hair porosity using the float test, start by taking a strand of hair and placing it gently into a bowl of water. Note how the hair behaves in water. If the strand floats on the surface of the water, it indicates low porosity hair. On the other hand, if the hair sinks to the bottom of the bowl, it suggests high porosity hair. Normal porosity hair will remain somewhere in the middle, neither fully floating nor sinking. This simple test can give you insights into the porosity level of your hair.
Slip 'n Slide Test
To perform the slip 'n slide test, take a strand of hair and slide your fingers up the strand from the ends to the roots. If your fingers slide easily, you have low-porosity hair. If your fingers feel rough, you have high porosity hair. Normal porosity hair will have a slight slip.
Spray Bottle Test
To perform the spray bottle test, mist your hair with water and observe how the water reacts. If the water beads up on the hair, you have low porosity hair. If the water is immediately absorbed, it is a sign you have high porosity hair. Normal porosity hair will absorb the water slowly.
How to Determine Your Hair Porosity
Determining your hair porosity type is essential for creating a hair care routine that meets your hair's needs. There are three methods you can use to determine your hair porosity.
Float Test
To determine your hair porosity using the float test, start by taking a strand of hair and placing it gently into a bowl of water. Note how the hair behaves in water. If the strand floats on the surface of the water, it indicates low porosity hair. On the other hand, if the hair sinks to the bottom of the bowl, it suggests high porosity hair. Normal porosity hair will remain somewhere in the middle, neither fully floating nor sinking. This simple test can give you insights into the porosity level of your hair.
Slip 'n Slide Test
To perform the slip 'n slide test, take a strand of hair and slide your fingers up the strand from the ends to the roots. If your fingers slide easily, you have low-porosity hair. If your fingers feel rough, you have high porosity hair. Normal porosity hair will have a slight slip.
Spray Bottle Test
To perform the spray bottle test, mist your hair with water and observe how the water reacts. If the water beads up on the hair, you have low porosity hair. If the water is immediately absorbed, it is a sign you have high porosity hair. Normal porosity hair will absorb the water slowly.
How to Check the Hair Porosity in A Simple Way:
- Shampoo and rinse your hair nicely to prevent any product build-up.
- Take a glass of water.
- When your hair is dry completely and clean, drop a single strand of your hair into a glass of water.
- Wait and watch if your hair sinks at the bottom of the glass, remains in the middle of the glass, or floats on the top of the glass?
If the hair immediately sinks, your hair is High Porosity, which means you have gaps and holes in cuticles that allow the products, oil, or moisture to absorb and be lost quickly. This kind of hair needs more products to lock in the moisture and gets frizzed in humid weather.
If your hair gradually sinks or stays in the middle of the glass, then your hair is Normal or Medium Porosity. In this case, the layer of hair cuticles is loose and has no gaps or holes. This kind of hair needs little maintenance.
If your hair starts floating it means your hair is low Porosity, cuticles are tightly closed, and products or oils do not easily absorb in your hair which causes dry, brittle hair and product build-up. This kind of hair needs extra care.
Best Treatments for Low Hair Porosity
Deep Conditioning
Try a Greenhouse Effect
This means when you apply a moisturizer or oil to your hair wear a shower cap on your head afterward and leave it overnight or you can do it in the daytime. It is a great way to open and close cuticles. You will notice that when you will remove the cap there will be a lot of steam and it will feel quite warm.
In this way, moisture will deeply penetrate the hair.
Heat
Applying heat to your hair can help to open the hair cuticle and allow moisture to penetrate the hair strand. If you have low porosity hair, consider using a hair dryer or hooded dryer to apply heat to your hair while you deep condition or apply a hair mask.
Protein Treatments
Protein treatments can help to strengthen low porosity hair and reduce breakage. Look for protein treatments that contain hydrolyzed protein, as this type of protein is small enough to penetrate the hair strand and provide strengthening benefits.
Clarify Your Hair
Always Keep Your Hair Moisturized
Moisturizing is the key to maintaining low-porosity hair. Try leave-in conditioners or go for a DIY one. Take a shower bottle, add water and some aloe vera gel to it. Mix well and apply on your hair alternative day.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
An apple cider vinegar rinse can help to remove product buildup and balance the pH of your hair. Mix only one part of apple cider vinegar with three parts water and you can use it lastly, final rinse after shampooing and conditioning your hair.
Avoiding Heavy Products
For low porosity hair, avoid using heavy hair products that can weigh your hair down and prevent moisture from penetrating the hair strands. Instead, opt for lightweight hair care products that are designed to work well with low porosity hair.
Don't Over-wash Your Hair
- Jojoba Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Sesame Oil
- Rosehip Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Apricot Oil
- Argan Oil
- Camera Seed Oil
- Baobab Oil
Conclusion
Hair porosity is an important factor to consider when creating a hair care routine. Understanding your hair porosity type and using products and treatments that are specifically formulated for your hair type can help to improve the health and appearance of your hair. If you have low porosity hair, use the tips and treatments outlined in this article to help your hair better absorb moisture and stay healthy.
Can hair porosity change over time?