Is your hair always dry no matter how much oil you apply? Or does it get weighed down easily with just a tiny bit of product? The answer lies in your hair porosity: the way your strands absorb and retain moisture.
Porosity is your hair’s ability to absorb and hold moisture. Knowing whether you have low, medium, or high porosity hair can completely change the way you care for your locks.
From handpicking the right oils and shampoos to choosing the perfect styling products, understanding your hair’s porosity is like unlocking a cheat code to healthier, shinier, and more manageable hair.
Let’s get into more details of what is hair porosity and see why your curls puff up in humid weather and why some oils cannot be taken off.
Latest Research On Hair Porosity
Scientists have done advanced testing methods to see what is hair porosity at the microscopic level. It has been a gas sorption analysis to see things like total pore volume, pore size, and even the surface area of damaged strands.
Researchers found that colouring, heat, and even brushing alter water permeability, the surface texture of strands, and how strong hair stays under heat or pulling.
Now, let’s find out what the best hair porosity test is for you.
The Three Types of Hair Porosity
The types of hair porosity can help you know what kind of hair you have. Check the details here:
Low Porosity Hair
- Cuticles are tight, so moisture struggles to get in or out.
- The hair in water test reveals that hair does not sink easily and takes a long time to get wet or dry.
- Colouring or chemical treatments don’t “stick.”
- Products accumulate on the surface.
Medium (Normal) Porosity Hair
- Cuticles are slightly lifted, so hair absorbs and holds moisture in balance.
- Products work the way they’re supposed to, without much trial and error.
- Stays hydrated without drying out too fast.
- Usually, the easiest porosity type to manage day to day.
High Porosity Hair
- The hair porosity test water lets you see that your cuticles have gaps and openings from damage or natural texture.
- Moisture and products go in quickly, but escape just as fast.
- Hair dries unusually fast after washing and frizzes easily.
- Oils and creams soak in immediately, but don’t seem to last.
- Strands feel rough or uneven when touched.
What Causes Changes in Hair Porosity?
Your hair’s porosity isn’t fixed- it can change over time due to several factors. While genetics play a big role in determining your natural porosity, external habits and environmental exposure can shift it.
Here are the main causes:
1. The Family Factors
Some of it is written before you’re even born. If thick strands run in your family, chances are you’ve inherited them. Genetics lays down the foundation, and unless something changes later, you won’t be able to change your hair.
2. Environment and Chemistry
Colouring, bleaching, or straightening not only adds a new look, but also affects how your hair looks. A single bleaching session can lift the cuticles and produce gaps that make your strands extra porous. If you sit for long hours in the sun, UV rays peel away protective proteins. Over time, the hair’s moisture slips in and leaks out too quickly.
3. Heat’s Heavy Hand
The flat iron at full heat may feel glamorous in the moment, but cuticles weaken and lose structure. This leaves a trail of fragile patches that can’t hold water evenly. Day by day, you’re left with hair that feels both brittle and unpredictable.
Care Tips for Each Hair Porosity Type
See what hair care strategies you should go for if you want beautiful hair:
Low Porosity Hair
- Water-based formulas
- Avoid heavy butters and oils that just coat the strands
- Clarifying shampoos to clear away buildup
How to Apply
- Use gentle heat (like a warm towel or hooded dryer) during masks or treatments to help open cuticles
- Wash with warm, not hot, water
- Try steam treatments to help products sink in
Medium Porosity Hair
- Works well with most product types
- Treatments with both protein and moisture
- Can switch between light leave-ins and richer conditioners
How to Maintain
- Deep condition every 2–3 weeks
- Avoid repeated chemical processes
- Use lukewarm water for washing to protect cuticles
High Porosity Hair
- Plant-based oils like coconut oil
- Rich creams and butters that help trap moisture inside
- Protein treatments
How to Apply
- Try the LOC method (Leave-in, Oil, Cream) to layer hydration and lock it in
- Rinse with cool water at the end of your wash.
Wrapping Up
So, now you know how daily routines, chemical treatments, and even sunlight affect how porous your strands become.
But you can reduce it with testing, learning how your cuticles are arranged, and using care routines. Your porosity is like a map; once you read it right, you know how to treat your hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can my hair porosity change?
When you bleach, colour, or run a flat iron through your strands, the cuticle layers shift. Add sunlight or harsh weather into the mix, and suddenly, your hair lets moisture slip in and out more than it used to.
2. Are water tests good and give accurate results?
The water test can give a quick, rough idea of your hair’s porosity, but it’s not always accurate. Product buildup, hair texture, and residue can affect results, so it’s best to use it along with other methods.
3. Is high porosity always damaged hair?
No. Highly coiled or curly strands have naturally lifted cuticles. And because of this, you can get higher porosity. That said, chemical and heat damage can also raise porosity levels.
4. How should I test my hair porosity?
You can test your hair porosity using simple at-home methods like the water test, the slip test, or by observing how quickly your hair absorbs products. Since each method has its limits, combining them gives a more accurate picture of whether your hair is low, medium, or high porosity.
5. Can different parts of my hair have different porosity?
Yes. It’s common to have “mixed porosity.” The hair close to your scalp may be less porous because it’s newer, while the ends face more heat, brushing, and sun and have higher porosity. In these cases, use lighter products near roots, richer ones on ends.
