What is my hair porosity? Discover your hair porosity type.

Three types of hair porosity

The cuticle is the outermost layer of your hair strand, made up of overlapping scales that protect the inner structure. These cuticles determine how easily moisture and products enter and exit the hair shaft.

Low porosity

Does your hair stay wet for a long time after washing? Then there is a good chance that your hair has a low porosity.

Low porosity hair has a cuticle layer with flat, overlapping scales. This reflects light, which usually makes the hair look shiny.

This does make it harder for moisture to penetrate the hair. It will take longer before product is absorbed, but the hair will retain moisture well.

Medium porosity (normal porosity)

Is your hair very easy to care for? Then you probably have medium porosity hair also known as normal porosity hair.

The cuticle layer is looser, so that the good amount of moisture goes in and out. This hair also has a natural shine, but less than low porosity hair.

It absorbs hair products well, does not quickly become oily or extremely dry. Medium porosity hair needs the least maintenance.

High porosity (porous hair)

Does your hair dry super fast after washing? Then your hair probably has a high porosity. We also call this porous hair

The cuticles are raised, so that the hair can quickly absorb moisture but does not retain it. This usually makes your hair look dull and it quickly gets tangled.

Test your hair porosity type

After reading the description of the different types of hair porosity, you probably have an idea what type your hair is. But it is still good to test your hair to be sure. Try one or two of the folowing hair porosity tests

First of all, you can see how quickly your hair dries after washing:

• High porosity hair dries within 2 hours;
• Hair with normal porosity dries within 4 to 6 hours; and
• Low porosity hair takes more than 8 hours to dry.

Another test is the strand test, that goes as follows:

Grasp a hair strand at the tip between your thumb and forefinger, and slide your fingers from bottom to top.

• Is that going smoothly? Then your hair probably has a low porosity.
• Do you feel a lot of bumps? Those are hair cuticles, so chances are your hair is very porous.

Finally you can try the float test.

1. Take a clean strand of hair, Make sure it is free of any product or build up.
2. Fill a glass with room-temperature water.
3. Drop the strand into the glass of water.

• If the hair floats on top, it has low porosity.
• Nomal porosity hair will usually sink slowy or stay floating somewhere in the middle.
• Highly porous hair absorbs moisture quickly causing it to sink straight to the bottom.

Don’t go blind on the results of these hair porosity tests, because not all hairs on your head are the same. See it more as an indication.

What does porosity mean for my hair care?

The porosity of your hair makes a big difference to the type of care it needs. Different types of hair porosity require different products and might benefit from slightly different routines.

Tips for low porosity hair

With low porosity hair, it can be difficult to get more moisture into your hair to hydrate it better. Some tips:

• Low porosity hair is prone to build up , so avoid heavy hair products. For example, a light jojoba oil is suitable.
• Heat causes the hair cuticles to open up a bit, so that your hair can absorb a product better. Consider using a heat cap or a shower cap when deep conditioning
• Use a hair mask after deep cleaning to get in extra moisture
• Use products on wet hair instead of dry hair to keep it well hydrated.

Tips for hair with a high porosity

High porosity hair needs a lot of grooming to get healthy. In addition, it must be well protected, so it is important to be as careful as possible.

Some tips for high porosity hair:

• Rinse your hair with cold water, because the hair cuticle will close due to the cold. Apple cider vinegar has a similar effect, so you can use it as a rinse as well. Closing the cutilce will improve moisture retention.
• Seal moisture into your hair with a gel.
• Apply the LOC / LCO method for optimal hydration.
• Do not use heat, stop dyeing your hair and avoid chemical treatments, as these can damage your cuticle layer, making it even harder for your hair to retain moisture.

Hopefully it is now clear to you how to determine your hair porosity so that you can take care of your hair in the best possible way!

You’re not there yet. also read our articles about curl type, hair thickness and density and elasticity

• What is my curly girl curl type, hair thickness and density? If you know your curl type, hair thickness and density, you can adjust your routine, products and hairstyles accordingly. With this knowledge you can provide even more beautiful and healthier curls!
• Hair elasticity: what is it and how do you test it? Elasticity is measured by pulling out your curl and determining how quickly your curl returns. Doesn’t bounce back – quickly – is a sign of lack of hydration. With an imbalance you can, for example, suffer from dry or brittle hair.

And now? Which hair products are right for me?

Now know everything about your hair properties,  you are probably wondering what to do with al this knowledge

The next step will by to find out which products are best for your hair and fit the curly girl method? Stay tuned! We will soon be sharing an extensive article about this.

Keep an eye on our website.