What's your hair porosity?

Asia
Oct 10, 2018
3 min read

Updated: Oct 12, 2018

How many times have you searched and researched to find out what type of curl pattern you have " Maybe I'm 3a,3c well no, maybe I'm 4b,4c." Let me tell you now sis your hair can have more than one curl pattern all around your head.

Finding out your curl pattern doesn't really matter when it comes to retaining moisture. It took me a while to learn that just because we might have the same curl pattern, It doesn't mean our hair will act the same when products are applied, That is because of a not so visible but important factor called porosity.

What is hair porosity?

Hair Porosity simple refers to your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. For us curly girls moisture is the most essential need for our hair to flourish. Porosity is determined by the outside layer of your hair cuticle. There are three categories to determine where you are on the porosity spectrum Low, Normal, and High. If you have normal porosity you are one of the lucky ones. I'm only going to focus on low and high porosity.

Low Porosity

Low porosity hair takes longer to dry and products tend to stay on top of the hair. Hair

cuticles lay flat and tight around the cortex this makes it harder for moisture to get in your hair. also once the moisture is in it's difficult to let out causing product buildup, protein sensitive, dry, brittle hair.

It's important to pay attention to your products labels to avoid protein. To maintain low porosity hair use moisture rich products such as Jojoba, Argan oil, and Grapeseed oil. Use heat to open up the cuticles to let the moisture in. Pay attention to more of a liquid base or lighter consistency product to avoid buildup.

High Porosity

Hair cuticles are prone to breakage, damage, and gaps that allow moisture to flow right through your hair without retention. Your hair will becomes dry, frizzy, and coarse feeling. the hair tangles easily because the cuticles get caught on each other.

Don't try to detangle your hair without a pre-poo or a conditioner. Your hair is in it's most fragile state when it's dry. Moisture! Moisture! Moisture! High porosity hair need thicker or heavier consistency products like creams, butters, castor oil, and coconut oil, and raw shea butter. High porosity hair loves protein because it strengthens and restore the cuticles. Try to use protein in your regimen sparingly like once every 2 weeks to avoid protein overload.

How to test your hair's porosity

There are many different test that measures your hair porosity. I'm only going to focus on the water test and the strand test. Preform these test on freshly washed dry hair. why? because the oils or products that is in your hair can alter the results.

1. The water Test

step 1 Using a bowl, container, or glass fill it with room temperature water

step 2 Take a couple strands of your hair from a comb that you used on clean hair or brush. place them into the water

step 3 Let it sit for 2 to 4 min

Results:

If your hair sinks immediately it has absorbed the water quickly, then you have HIGH porosity hair (I have high porosity hair welcome to the club)
If your hair is still floating after 4 min. you have LOW porosity hair
If your hair is in the middle of the container or slowly sinking then your hair is NORMAL

2. The strand test

step 1 Grab a strand of your hair attached to your head

step 2 Starting from the end of hair , slide your fingers up the shaft towards your scalp.

Results:

If you have a bumpy ride that means your cuticles are lifted and you have HIGH porosity hair.
If your hair feel smooth going up the shaft then you have LOW porosity hair.