Hair porosity, High, Medium, Or Low? How Do I Know?

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Hair porosity is not talked about enough and most have no idea if their hair has low, medium, or high porosity. Plus what does that all mean anyways? This post will explain it all. First let's talk about what it is and why it is important.

So what is hair porosity?

It is the amount of moisture absorbed and retained by the hair cuticles. Knowing your hair porosity helps you select the right hair products to prevent dryness leading to healthier and more manageable hair.

How do I test my hair porosity?

You can test your hair porosity by taking a cup a water and adding a strand of your hair to the water. Wait about a minute and see if your hair floats, slowly sinks, or quickly sinks.

Low Porosity: Hair floats

• Cuticle is tightly closed.

• Low Absorption.

• Difficult to moisturize.

• Takes forever to dry.

• Prone to buildup.

Medium Porosity: Hair Slowly Sinks

• Ideal porosity because cuticle allows enough moisture in and out, requiring minimal maintenance.

• Cuticle is slightly open to allow moisture in.

• Holds styles easier than other hair types.

High Porosity: Hair Sinks Quickly

• Cuticle is wide open.

• Absorbs moisture quick but loses it fast, causing frizz, tangles, and dryness.

• Dries quickly.

• Hair gets frizzy easily.

  
  

Now that I know my hair porosity what products should I use?

Low Porosity Product Recommendations:

• Clarifying Shampoo: use weekly to monthly, depending on how quickly build up builds. This porosity is more prone to build up because most of the product used sits outside the hair cuticle and never gets absorbed.

Clarify Shampoo Recommendation: Malibu C Un-Do-Goo Shampoo

• Light Weight Products: Due to low absorption hair is difficult to moisturize and can be easily weighed down. The order you apply your moisturizing products will help with this. Apply liquids first, then creams, and lastly oils. I only recommend using a oil if your hair is also coarse.

• Light Weight Moisturizing Shampoo And Conditioner Recommendation: Amika Normcore Signature Shampoo And Conditoner

• Light Weight Moisturizing Product Recommendation: Amika The Wizard Silicone Free Detangling Primer

Medium Porosity Product Recommendations:

For Medium And Fine Hair Density: Amika's orange products.

• Amika Normcore Signature Shampoo And Conditioner

• Amika The Wizard Silicone Free Detangling Primer

For Coarse Hair Density: Amika's blue products

• Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner

•  Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner

High Porosity Product Recommendations:

• Use thick creams, leave-in conditioners, oils, and weekly hair masks. High porosity needs a lot of moisturize because most of it dries up quickly.

• Apply your hair products in this order for the most absorption liquid, oil and then cream.

• Shampoo and Conditioner Recommendation: Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner

• Weekly Hair Mask: Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Hair Mask

• Leave-In Conditioner: Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner

• Hair Oil: Amika Water Sign Hydrating Hair Oil

I hope you found this post helpful.

Creatively,

Jessalyn

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Rollinsford NH Hairstylist/Owner Of Bold Hearts Studio