Hair care still needs to be better understood by people. It has many sides that are still under discussed, and one of them is hair porosity. Normally, when we talk about hair care, we focus on selecting the best products available rather than the best advertised and promoted products. But after that? You may get the result, or you may not. Every product can’t work on your hair, as the hair conditions could be different.

To make such a product work, you must understand which type of product your hair will be able to absorb. Within this the major thing you must know is how much and how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture and based on that the results of other promised products depends. This moisture absorbent and retainment capacity of your hair is known as hair porosity. It lets your hair stay healthy when frequently dealing with water, dust, air and multiple hair care products. This capacity to manage hydration and moisture in your hair will decide how well your choosed and suggested product will respond.

But for that, it is crucial to understand hair porosity and, based on that, what kind of products you must choose for your hair. In this article, we are going to discuss the science of hair porosity and product selection based on the different types of hair porosity you deal with.

3 Major Types of Hair Porosity

Hair porosity is divided into three main categories: low, normal, and high. Each type exhibits distinct characteristics that affect the hair’s response to products and moisture.

• Low Porosity Hair: The cuticle scales are tightly packed, creating a smooth surface that resists moisture absorption. Products often sit on the surface, leading to buildup.
• Normal Porosity Hair: The cuticle layers are evenly spaced, allowing moisture to enter and exit the hair shaft in a balanced way.
• High Porosity Hair: The cuticle scales are raised or damaged, allowing moisture to enter quickly but also escape just as fast, resulting in dry and frizzy hair.

Impact of Porosity on Product Absorption and Effectiveness

Hair porosity determines how your hair absorbs and retains moisture, making it essential to choose the right products. Low-porosity hair resists moisture penetration, which means lighter, hydrating formulas are more effective. Normal-porosity hair is easier to manage, as it allows products to be absorbed without much trouble. However, high-porosity hair absorbs moisture quickly but can lose it just as fast, requiring heavier creams and oils to maintain hydration.

Selecting products based on your porosity type can help address specific challenges, ensuring your hair stays healthy and manageable.

• Low porosity hair benefits from heat to help products penetrate.
• Normal porosity hair has the flexibility to handle a variety of products, from creams to oils.
• High porosity hair needs products with ingredients like glycerin or humectants to draw moisture in.
• Low porosity hair may require regular clarifying shampoos to remove buildup.
• Normal porosity hair thrives on protein-rich treatments for added strength.
• High porosity hair should use leave-in conditioners to prevent moisture loss throughout the day.

How to Identify Your Hair Porosity? – Different Hair Porosity Test Methods

Identifying your hair porosity is essential for understanding how your hair interacts with moisture and products. Fortunately, determining your hair’s porosity is simple and can be done at home with a few easy tests. These methods will provide a clear picture of how your hair absorbs and retains moisture, guiding you toward the best hair care routine.

Here are three simple tests you can try to identify your hair porosity:

Water Test: 

Take a few clean strands of hair and drop them into a glass of water.

• Low porosity: Hair will float at the top for a while, as it resists absorbing moisture.
• Normal porosity: Hair will sink slowly, indicating balanced moisture absorption.
• High porosity: Hair will sink immediately, showing that it absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast.

Slip Test: 

Take a single strand of hair between your fingers and gently slide your fingers up the strand.

• Low porosity: The hair will feel smooth with little to no texture.
• Normal porosity: You will feel a slight bump or texture as you move up the strand.
• High porosity: The hair will feel rough or uneven, indicating gaps in the cuticle.

Spray Test: 

Mist your hair with water and observe how quickly it dries.

• Low porosity: Water will bead up and sit on the surface for longer.
• Normal porosity: Water will be absorbed at a moderate rate and may dry within a few hours.
• High porosity: Water will be absorbed quickly, and the hair will dry fast, often leading to frizz.

Tips to Select the Right Products for Different Hair Porosity Types

Once you’ve identified your hair’s porosity, choosing the right products becomes easier. Here’s a breakdown of the best products for each porosity category:

1. Suitable Product Types for Low Porosity Hair

Characteristics: These types of hair contains characteristics like Resists moisture absorption, prone to buildup.

Recommended Products:

• Lightweight Moisturizers: Choose water-based leave-in conditioners or serums that hydrate without sitting on the hair’s surface.
• Clarifying Shampoos: Use clarifying shampoos occasionally to remove buildup, which is common with low-porosity hair.
• Avoid Heavy Oils: Thicker oils like coconut or olive oil are not ideal for low-porosity hair. Lighter oils such as argan or grapeseed oil penetrate more effectively.

2. Normal Porosity Hair

Such hair contains characteristics like Balanced moisture absorption and retention, versatile with most products.

Recommended Products:

• Moisturizing Shampoos and Conditioners: Look for products containing aloe vera, glycerin, and proteins to maintain moisture balance without overloading the hair.
• Leave-In Conditioners: A lightweight leave-in conditioner can provide extra hydration and protection without weighing hair down.
• Medium-Weight Oils: Oils like jojoba oil or sweet almond oil are effective at maintaining moisture levels without causing excess buildup.

3. High Porosity Hair

Contrary to other types, these hair types have characteristics like Absorbing moisture quickly but losing it just as fast, being prone to dryness, and frizz.

Recommended Products:

• Deep Conditioning Treatments: Rich, emollient-based treatments with shea butter, ceramides, or fatty alcohols help restore moisture and seal the cuticle.
• Protein Treatments: High porosity hair benefits from protein-based products such as keratin or silk proteins to help repair and strengthen damaged strands.
• Heavy Oils and Butters: Thicker oils like castor oil or butters such as shea butter help lock in moisture and protect the hair from environmental damage.

Additional Considerations for Managing Hair Porosity

• High porosity hair may require heavier creams and oils in winter to retain moisture, while low porosity hair benefits from lightweight leave-ins.
• Excessive use of heat tools can damage the cuticle, particularly in high porosity hair, making heat protection crucial.
• High porosity hair can absorb excess moisture from the air, causing frizz in humid conditions.
• Low porosity hair may struggle to retain moisture in dry climates and need extra hydrating products.
• Regular trims are essential for high porosity hair to prevent split ends and further moisture loss.
• Low porosity hair benefits from layering lightweight products in a specific order to avoid buildup.

Ending it up

Understanding your hair porosity is the first step toward transforming your hair care routine and achieving healthier, more vibrant hair. Choosing the right products can make all the difference, whether you’re tackling dryness, frizz, or moisture retention. 

Unsure about your hair’s porosity or how to find the best products for it? Don’t worry! Connect with the experts at My Derma Store, and we’ll guide you in selecting the perfect products tailored to your unique hair needs. Reach out to our experts today and let them help you unlock your hair’s full potential!