Ever wondered why a product works beautifully for someone else's hair but not yours? Hair porosity could be part of the answer.
Hair porosity describes how readily your hair takes in and loses water. Understanding it can help you make better choices about how you moisturise, condition and care for your hair.
What Is Hair Porosity?
The outer layer of each hair strand is called the cuticle. Its condition and structure influence how easily water moves in and out of the hair.
Hair porosity is generally described as:
Low porosity: Water takes longer to enter the hair.
Medium porosity: Hair generally takes in and retains moisture well.
High porosity: Water enters easily but can also be lost more quickly.
Porosity can also vary across your hair, particularly where there has been heat, colour or chemical processing.
Low Porosity Hair
Low porosity hair can take longer to absorb water and products.
Signs of Low Porosity Hair
Your hair may have lower porosity if:
- It takes time to become fully wet
- Water initially beads on the hair
- Products build up easily
- Rich products can leave it feeling coated or weighed down
- It takes a long time to dry
How to Care for Low Porosity Hair
The aim is to get moisture into the hair without creating unnecessary build-up.
Cleanse regularly to remove product build-up and make sure your hair is thoroughly wet before conditioning. Gentle warmth during deep conditioning can also help.
When moisturising, start with a water-based product and use creams and oils according to what your hair needs. If your hair is easily weighed down, try smaller amounts rather than adding more layers.
High Porosity Hair
High porosity hair takes in water readily but can also lose moisture relatively quickly. Porosity can be naturally higher or increased by heat, colour, chemical treatments and damage.
Signs of High Porosity Hair
Your hair may have higher porosity if:
- It becomes wet quickly
- It tends to dry relatively quickly
- It can feel dry again soon after moisturising
- It needs more frequent conditioning or moisturising
How to Care for High Porosity Hair
The aim is to help your hair hold onto moisture and minimise further damage.
Use a shampoo that cleanses without leaving your hair excessively dry and follow with a conditioner that provides the softness and slip your hair needs.
Start your moisture routine with water or a water-based product. If your hair loses moisture quickly, layering creams and oils can help it stay moisturised for longer.
READ: LOC VS LCO — WHICH IS BEST FOR YOUR HAIR? →
What About Medium Porosity Hair?
Medium porosity hair generally takes in and retains moisture well.
If your current routine keeps your hair moisturised and manageable, you don't need to complicate it. Continue paying attention to how your hair responds and adjust when its needs change.
Can Hair Porosity Change?
Yes. Heat styling, colouring, chemical treatments and damage can affect the hair cuticle and increase porosity over time.
This is why understanding how your hair behaves now is more useful than treating porosity as a permanent hair type.
How Do I Know My Hair Porosity?
Rather than relying on the popular hair float test, pay attention to your hair during your normal routine: how easily it becomes wet, how quickly it dries, how products sit on the hair and how well it retains moisture.
Want to work out yours?
NEXT READ: FIND YOUR HAIR POROSITY — A QUICK GUIDE →
Shop for Your Hair's Needs
Understanding your porosity can help you make more informed choices about the products you use.
