Hair Porosity: A Simple at Home Test for Haircare

In this article, you'll learn about what porosity is, how it can affect what products you put on your hair, and how you can perform a simple test at home.

Hair porosity is about your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture.

The porosity of your hair affects how well oils and moisture pass in and out of the outermost layer of your hair, known as the cuticle. This is the protective, tough layer. Think of this as shingles on a roof.

There are 3 different levels of porosity:

Low: cuticles that are close together

• Hair products tend to sit on your hair and don't absorb easily

• It's hard for water to saturate your hair when washing

• It takes a long time for your hair to air dry

Medium: cuticles that are less tightly bound *this is ideal!

• Hair is easy to style and can hold styles for a good length of time

• Takes color well

• It doesn't take too long for your hair to air dry

High: cuticles that are more widely spaced

• water and other moisturizing products are quickly absorbed into your hair

• Hair tends to break easily

• Hair tends to be frizzy and dry

• It doesn't take much time for your hair to air dry

How to Test your Hair Porosity

1. Wash your hair to remove any product buildup

2. Fill a glass with water

3. Once your hair is clean and dry, drop a single strand of hair into the glass of water

4. Watch the strand to see if it sinks to the bottle of the glass or floats to the top

I have my results, what do they mean?

Low Porosity: If the strand floats at the top before sinking

Normal Porosity: If the strand floats somewhere in the middle of the glass

High Porosity: If the strand quickly sinks to the bottom of the glass

How to Treat Low or High Porosity Hair

Low Porosity: Close cuticles that cannot absorb oil or water well (dry, dry, dry!)

• Avoid products with protein in them or use them sparingly

• Wash your hair with warm water to allow the strands to open up to obtain moisture

• Use a hair masque treatment for extra hydration (Here is my all time favorite hydration masque for battling hydration!)

High Porosity: Widely spaced cuticles that has trouble holding moisture (frizzy!)

• Use products with protein in them (This masque is the best for high porosity hair seeking a higher protein!)

• Rinse your hair at the end of the shower with cold water to help close and seal some pours to maintain moisture

• Use a heat protectant on your hair

• Add in a deep smoothing haircare line:

  • Shampoo

  • Conditioner

  • Blow Out Spray