Do you know what your hair porosity is? If you don’t know anything about hair porosity, then it can be a bit confusing trying to figure out what it is. Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb moisture. Hair porosity is broken down into three categories: low porosity, normal porosity, and high porosity. The cuticle layer of your hair is affected by your hair porosity, it determines how easily it is for moisture and oil to get into your hair. Porosity is mostly genetic, though you can also alter your hair’s porosity by exposing your hair to heat, and certain chemicals.
By knowing your hair’s porosity level, you can better assess and choose the right products that will be able to keep your hair moisturized and healthy.
Porosity Test
To find out your hair porosity you can do a simple hair porosity test. To do the hair porosity test drop a strand of hair that is clean into a glass of water. From your results, you will be able to determine your hair’s porosity level. You may find that your hair sinks to the bottom if so your hair is of high porosity. Hair that floats in the middle will be normal porosity. If your hair floats at the top of the glass, you have low porosity hair.
Low Porosity
If you have low porosity hair then you may notice that it is very hard to moisturize your hair. Low porosity hair tends to repel moisture. With low porosity hair, your hair cuticles are very tightly closed which makes it hard for water to enter your hair shaft. You may also notice that products just sit on top of your hair and have a hard time penetrating your strands. Low porosity hair may also take a long time to dry. Some ways to help with low porosity hair includes: steaming your hair to open up your cuticles. This will allow moisture into your strands. Also, use light oils like grapeseed and argan oil that won’t weigh your hair down. Low porosity hair is also prone to build up. So clarifying your hair is beneficial. I love using my Bentonite Clay Treatment.
High Porosity
If you have high porosity hair, you may notice that you can easily moisturize your hair, but you are unable to retain that moisture. High porosity hair always tends to look dry and dull, tangles easily and is frizzy. To care for your high porosity hair, it is best to use heavy butter and oils.
Normal Porosity
I don’t know many curly girls with normal porosity hair. Normal Porosity hair absorbs just the right amount of moisture and is shiny and has lots of volume.
Why It’s Important To Know Your Hair Porosity Type
- Knowing your porosity type will help you with growth and also help you maintain your healthy hair.
- It will help you be able to better select products for your hair. This will, in turn, save you time and money.
- When you know your hair’s porosity, it will help you keep moisture in your hair which will help you maintain healthy and manageable hair.
Do you know your hair porosity?
Kemkem
March 29, 2017 at 10:56 amI had no idea about porosity. I suspect mine might be low, but can’t wait to try it at home and adjust accordingly. Thanks for this 🙂
Michelle Thames
March 29, 2017 at 1:13 pmLet me know how it works for you!
TC Mason
March 29, 2017 at 12:01 pmI wanna try the test, I have no idea on my hairs porosity! Thanks much for the tips.
Michelle Thames
March 29, 2017 at 1:12 pmYes! Try the test! It will help a lot! Thanks for stopping by!
Keisha
March 30, 2017 at 12:56 amMy natural hair is loc’d but I’ve done the test. I have low porosity hair. Getting it to retain moisture is tough. I like to use steam ♥
Michelle Thames
April 6, 2017 at 12:24 am🙂
Felecia Monique
March 30, 2017 at 4:36 pmFor some reason I avoid the porosity test lol. Which may explain why my hair ain’t growing smh. I guess I need to do something huh?
Victoria
March 30, 2017 at 8:03 pmWow, this is my first time hearing about hair porosity. However, it is something that I am definitely going to try. I definitely could use some guidance in knowing my hair better.
Michelle Thames
April 6, 2017 at 12:24 amLet me know if it helps you!!
Courtney CJ
March 31, 2017 at 9:03 amI’ve been natural for too long to never have done a porosity test. I don’t know why I psyched myself into believing it’s so difficult but I really need to get my life together and find out Foxy’s needs, lol.
Michelle Thames
April 6, 2017 at 12:24 amLOL!
Latoya Scott
March 31, 2017 at 6:46 pmI have high porosity hair. I could lean my head on the couch or headrest in my car and the entire back of my head would be dry. Doesn’t matter how much I try to keep it moisturized. I really need to look into some different products.
Michelle Thames
April 6, 2017 at 12:23 amOH wow!
Tiffany H.
April 1, 2017 at 8:18 pmI have never done a porosity test but I do know that I have a dry scalp. I need to the test so I can buy the best product for my hair.
Ashleigh
April 5, 2017 at 3:23 pmI didn’t learn this until well into my natural hair journey. I’ve recently cut my hair again and am thinking about if I want to grow it out or not. This will definitely come in handy if I go back to growing it out again.
Michelle Thames
April 6, 2017 at 12:23 amMe too! Crazy right! I just cut my hair and I LOVE MY CUT!
Jonna
April 5, 2017 at 5:53 pmI”m the unicorn with normal porosity hair. That was until I colored my hair, which of course made my hair more porous. Now that I’ve removed all the color treated hair, I’m loving my hair’s porosity is back to normal.
Michelle Thames
April 6, 2017 at 12:22 amLOL at unicorn!!
Lacey
April 6, 2017 at 7:30 pmI think mine is low, but I’m going to test it this weekend. Thank you for educating.
Sara Hunt
April 10, 2017 at 11:16 amMy hair porosity has always been low. Even with introducing color to my tresses. My hair takes forever to dry but once that moisture is lock in, it is locked in for a while. Great article.
Michelle Thames
April 13, 2017 at 10:56 pmYes, my hair takes forever to dry as well! Its so annoying!