Have you ever spent money on a fancy hair product, only to have it sit on your strands and do absolutely nothing? The secret to getting your hair to actually absorb and benefit from those products might lie in its porosity. Hair porosity simply refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and hold onto moisture. Knowing your hair’s porosity level is like having a manual for your mane—it tells you exactly what your hair needs to look and feel its best.
What is Hair Porosity, Really?
Think of each strand of your hair as having a protective outer layer of shingles, called the cuticle. Porosity is determined by how tightly or loosely these shingles lie. Low porosity hair has tightly bound cuticles, making it hard for moisture to get in. High porosity hair has gaps and openings in the cuticle, so it absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast. Normal porosity is the happy medium, where moisture enters and is retained with ease.
The Simple Float Test for Your Hair
You can get a good idea of your hair’s porosity with a quick and easy test you can do at home. Start with a clean strand of hair—try to get one from your hairbrush or after washing, ensuring there’s no product on it. Drop the single strand into a glass of room-temperature water. Let it sit for about two to four minutes and watch what happens.
If your hair strand floats at the top for the entire time, you likely have low porosity hair. It’s resistant to absorbing the water. If it sinks slowly to the bottom, you’re probably in the normal porosity range. If it sinks almost immediately, your hair has high porosity, readily soaking up the water in the glass.
Caring for Your Unique Hair Type
Once you know your porosity, you can tailor your routine. For low porosity hair, use light, liquid-based products and apply them to damp hair. A little warmth from a steamy shower or a warm towel can help open those tight cuticles and let the moisture in.
If you have high porosity hair, your goal is to seal in hydration. Look for products with butters and oils, like shea butter or coconut oil. These ingredients help create a barrier that locks moisture inside your strands, preventing them from drying out.
Figuring out your hair’s porosity is a small step that can make a huge difference. It takes the guesswork out of your routine and helps you choose products that truly work with your hair, not against it. Your hair will thank you for the personalized care.