Hair Porosity refers to how well your hair is able to absorb and hold moisture. It is affected by the flexible outer hair layer called the cuticle, which determines how easily moisture and oils pass in and out of your hair. Knowing your hair porosity type is very important in knowing what products will work best for you and what method to use when applying them. There are three hair porosity types: low porosity, normal porosity, and high porosity.
First, we need to find out what hair porosity type you have. In order to figure this out, you will take one clean strand of hair that has no products or conditioning, and place it in a glass of room temperature water for 15 minutes. Now it's time to see the results! Pay attention to where the hair is located in the glass of water, did the hair strand stay at the top of the water, move to the middle, or sink to the bottom? Depending on where your strand of hair is located this will tell you what type you are.
Low porosity hair will remain at the top of the water because the hair cuticles are closed. If this is your hair type, you will find it hard for your hair to take in moisture. Your hair products may sit on top of your hair leaving your hair dry and frizzy when washing out the products. High porosity hair will sink to the bottom of the glass because the hair cuticles are very open. This hair type will easily absorb moisture coming in; however, the problem arises because how easy it was to take in moisture, it will be that must easier to lose the moisture. High porosity hair will be very moisturized when damp but once it dries the moisture dries with it leaving your hair frizzy and brittle. Normal porosity hair will sink only to the middle of the water. This hair type can take in moisture and keep it in very well, you will notice that managing your hair is seemingly effortless and you always have smooth and balanced hair.
For the vast majority of individuals that have high or low porosity hair type, you can learn how to effectively change the results you may have been getting. I’m going to start will low porosity hair. Because low porosity hair won't take in moisture because the hair cuticles are closed, you then must help open them up by applying some form of heat before any products. This is really easy when washing your hair because you can simply use hot water before washing and conditioning; however, if its day two and you need to refresh your hair with added products, you can spritz your hair with a little bit of water then use a blow dryer on warm to open of your hair cuticle to then apply the additional moisture. Now for high porosity hair. With this hair type, locking in the moisture is the main focus. After you wash, condition, and apply your moisture you need a product that can lock that in such as gel or oil. Some people don’t like the crunch they get from using gel, but there is a quick fix. Using a diffuser while scrunching your hair will break the gel cast while still locking in the moisture. On the other hand, if you chose to use oil, you will find that it’s a bit messier when it comes to clothes and feels because you will get that oil to feel when touching it if you apply too much. A little goes a long way when it comes to using oil.
Tune in to our next post where you will find out which products work best for your hair porosity type! Also, let me know what hair type you have and about your experience with the test. If you have any trouble with the test feel free to ask me about anything in the comments below!
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