How to Determine Your Hair Porosity

Hair porosity is a term describing how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. It ranges from low to high. When you understand whether you have low, medium, or high porosity hair, you will better understand how to properly care for your locks. 

Easy Hair Porosity Test

Curious about your hair’s porosity? All you need is a glass of water and freshly cleaned and dried hair without any product in it. Here’s what to do. Drop a strand or two of your clean, dry hair into a glass of water. Watch if it sinks or floats. 

• Hair floats at the top = low porosity 
• Hair floats in the middle = medium porosity
• Hair sinks to the bottom = high porosity

Special note for curly hair girls. Just as your own curl patterns vary, so too does your porosity. You may have different types of porosity. So you may want to try this test with a few different strands of hair. 

Low Porosity

When you have low porosity, you may notice your hair products don’t absorb easily and it takes a long time for your hair to air dry. Low porosity hair tends to be drier as moisture has a harder time penetrating the center of the strand. 

Here is the best way to care for your hair:

• Use a sulfate-free water-based shampoo.
• After you shampoo, you will want to add moisture with a moisturizing conditioner.
• Then, while your hair is still wet seal in moisture with lightweight hydration such as Leave-In Hair Mist. 

You will want to avoid applying heavy oils like coconut oil and castor oil directly to your hair because they completely seal the hair cuticle and prevent moisture from getting in. Also avoid acidic products like apple cider vinegar, which some women like to use as a hair rinse. It also seals the cuticle, which is not ideal for low porosity hair. 

Medium Porosity 

Ladies with medium porosity have “normal” hair. It is easy for your hair to absorb and retain moisture. As a result, it doesn’t take long for your hair to air dry and it generally looks healthy and shiny. 

Since your hair retains moisture throughout the day, leave-in products work well for you. Try this:

• Use a strengthening oil to keep your hair and scalp healthy.
• Spritz daily with Leave-In Hair Mist.
• Keep your hair smooth with Soothe and Grow Hair Balm made with shea butter and honey.

Keep in mind medium porosity hair can change over time by damaging it with high heat, excessive washing, and harsh chemicals. So be careful with how often you style your hair with heat, wash it, and definitely be sure to avoid harsh chemicals. 

High Porosity 

Moisture easily absorbs into your hair, but it does not last for long. You may notice your hair quickly absorbs moisturizing products, tends to break easily may be frizzy or dry, and air dries quickly. 

Many – but not all – women with 4c hair have high porosity hair and find it hard to keep their hair moisturized. If this is the case for you, you’ll want to do this: 

• Moisturize your hair with Hair Buttermilk
• Do a hot oil treatment with Luxe Hair Growth Oil
• Properly detangle your hair with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb so you don’t cause increased breakage
• Use Edge Control to keep your edges slayed 

Unlike low porosity hair, you can also use acidic products such as an apple cider vinegar rinse as well as protein-based treatments because they seal your cuticle and lock in moisture. 

Final Thoughts 

Knowing your hair porosity will help you better understand how to care for your hair and which types of products to use. Just because a certain ingredient seems trendy, it may not be best for your hair. Try the simple test and start a new healthy and natural haircare journey today.  Stronger, healthier hair awaits!