I decided to wear my hair the way it grows… (What’s My Hair Porosity?)

Let's talk porosity...

Knowing your hair type will provide you with a starting point for understanding the best care, styles and types of products that will give you the best results.

Now before you get started with trying to wear the latest hair style or stocking up on all the wash and go products you’ve seen advertised, it’s important to know how dense your hair is. This means, how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture. Knowing how porous your hair is having a lot to do with which wash and conditioning methods will work best for your hair. Figuring this out will allow you to maximize the benefits from the products you buy.

In order to test the porosity of your hair there are a few methods you can try. I have found the following two to be the best proven options. The internet is full of other methods and recommendations. Always research and try what’s best for you.

The float test

1.     You will need to fill a glass or bowl or cup with room temperature water.

2.     Take a couple strands of your clean hair from your comb or brush and put them in the water. Clean and dry hair is important. If you have oils or products on your hair, it will alter the results.

3.     Set your timer for 2-4 minutes.

a)      If your hair sinks immediately, it has high porosity. Your hair absorbed the water quickly and sank quickly.

b)      If your hair is still floating 4 minutes later, it has low porosity.

c)      If your hair is slowly sinking, you have normal porosity.

The Spray Bottle test

1.      Take a small section of your hair and pin the rest back.

2.      Spray that loose section with a little water, just enough to mist it.

a)      If the water sits on top of your hair or beads up, you have low porosity hair.

b)      If your hair absorbs the water quickly, you have high porosity hair.

c)      If the water sits on your hair for several minutes then is absorbed, you have normal porosity hair.

So, what exactly does the porosity test tell me about my hair?

If you have low porosity hair:

1)      This type of hair is usually considered healthy, and is often very shiny, especially when it's dark in color. 

2)      Your hair cuticles are closed, so moisture doesn’t enter easily; your hair is resistant to moisture

3)      Products sit on your hair

4)      Your hair doesn’t absorb hair color or treatments easily

5)      Water beads up on hair

6)      Hair takes a long time to dry

7)      Looks healthy but doesn’t have much elasticity or volume

If you have high porosity hair:

1)      This hair type can be either a natural property of hair or the result of damage from chemical over-processing, rough treatment or environmental damage. 

2)      Your hair absorbs too much moisture, but is unable to retain it

3)      Your hair looks and feels dull and dry

4)      Generally damaged and over processed with torn cuticles

5)      Tangles easily because the cuticles get caught on each other

6)      Hair dries quickly

7)      Tends to be frizzy

If you have normal porosity hair:

1)      This hair type often requires the least amount of maintenance.

2)      Your hair absorbs and retains the perfect amount of moisture

3)      Your hair s shiny, healthy, and has lots of volume

The porosity and density of your hair makes a difference in the way you manage and maintain your hair. You do not want to overdo it with too much product and you also want to ensure you are using the best products for your hair. Knowing your hair porosity will help you determine how much moisture your hair needs on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis to achieve the look that you are going for. In addition, you will be better equipped to make decisions regarding your hair products.

I’d like to hear from you: How would you describe your hair?