What Is Hair Porosity, and How Do You Test It? – OLAPLEX Inc.

Key Takeaways

• Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to retain moisture and is determined by your hair’s cuticles. 
• Low porosity hair consists of tightly knit cuticles, while high porosity hair has cuticles that are spaced further apart. 
• High porosity hair is more prone to breakage, frizz, and dryness, while low porosity hair is harder to permeate with products.

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What Is Hair Porosity, and How Do You Test It?

We all have different hair types, even down to our hair’s porosity level. Determine your hair’s porosity and embrace your hair type with a customized haircare routine. Learn how to care for low porosity vs. high porosity hair with this guide to the best tips and solutions.

What Is Hair Porosity?

Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. Your hair’s porosity is determined by your hair cuticles. Low porosity hair has tightly knit cuticles, while high porosity hair has open cuticles.

How to Determine If You Have Low vs. High Porosity Hair

Tailoring your haircare routine to your hair’s porosity level can help promote healthy-looking hair. Before you start customizing your hair routine, learn which type of hair porosity you have with this guide:

What Is Low Porosity Hair?

Low porosity hair has tightly bound cuticles, making it harder for water to penetrate the hair shaft. In addition to water and moisture, this also affects the way products sit on your hair strands. You may have low porosity hair if: 

• Hair products, especially extra moisturizing hair products, sit on your hair and are slow to absorb. 
• Your hair takes a long time to air dry. 
• Water doesn’t penetrate your hair easily when you’re showering. 
• Your hair may appear dry and dull.
• It can be resistant to chemical treatment.

What Is High Porosity Hair?

Unlike low porosity hair, high porosity hair has loosely knit cuticles. You may have high porosity hair if: 

• Water penetrates your hair easily when you’re showering. 
• Moisturizing products absorb into your hair quickly. 
• Your hair air dries quickly. 
• Your hair is prone to breakage and split ends.

How to Test Your Hair’s Porosity

Test your hair’s porosity with one of these techniques: 

The Cuticle Test

1. Take a single strand of hair. 
2. Run your fingers from the bottom of the strand towards your roots. 
3. If your hair’s texture is rough and bumpy, you may have high porosity hair. A smooth texture is a sign of low porosity.

The Spray Bottle Test

1. Spray a small section of your hair with water. 
2. Notice how the water interacts with your hair. 
3. If it’s slow to absorb and forms beads on the surface, you may have low porosity hair. If it absorbs quickly, that’s a sign of high porosity.

The Float Test

1. Grab a clear glass of water and a strand of clean hair from a comb or brush. 
2. Take your strands and drop them into your glass of water. 
3. If your hair sinks, you have high porosity hair. If it floats, you have low porosity.

Caring for Low vs. High Porosity Hair

Now that you know your hair’s porosity, give your hair what it needs to hydrate each strand. High porosity hair absorbs moisture easily, making it great for deep conditioning, while low porosity hair retains moisture for longer periods and typically requires lightweight conditioning.

Low-Porosity Haircare

• Use lightweight, water-based products to avoid buildup. 
• Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove residue from scalp and hair strands.
• Apply conditioner to damp hair after cleansing with warm water to maximize absorption.
• If you’re using a leave-in or deep conditioning treatment, encourage your hair cuticles to absorb the moisture with a heated shower cap. Apply the cap after your conditioning treatment and let it sit.
  

Low porosity hair tends to be harder to condition, so choose hydrating options with light textures:

• Nº.4FINE Bond Maintenance™ Shampoo: Hydrates without weighing down fine strands or contributing to excess sebum production.
• Nº.5FINE Bond Maintenance™ Conditioner: Repairs and strengthens hair while providing body and volume.
• Nº.4C Bond Maintenance® Clarifying Shampoo: Protects hair by removing heavy metals, minerals, chlorine, and product buildup, allowing for optimal performance of your hair repair routine.
• Nº.6 Bond Smoother®: Decreases blow-dry or air-dry time while smoothing each strand without adding hold or excess weight.
• Nº.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum: A weightless, fast-absorbing, multi-benefit serum that reduces tangles and static and provides a satin shine look.
• Nº.7 Bonding Oil™: Boosts shine and protects against heat for up to 450°F. Can add to wet hair and blowdry in.

High Porosity Haircare

• Choose heavier, moisturizing products to lock in hydration. 
• Opt for oils, creams, or masks that seal the cuticle. 
• Deep condition regularly to prevent moisture loss. 
• Trim hair regularly to minimize breakage and split ends.
  

High porosity hair requires a little extra moisture, so reach for solutions that lock in moisture and provide hydration:

 

Want to learn more about caring for your unique hair? Take our Hair Quiz to create an optimized routine.

Sources

1. https://www.byrdie.com/hair-porosity-test-5070329

2. https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-porosity