Porosity: The First Step of Healthy Hair Care

The first place to start in a healthy hair journey is learning your porosity. Knowing your porosity will help you make a successful and healthy regimen that can be the foundation for you to meet your hair goals.

What is Porosity?

Porosity, simply put, is how easily your hair absorbs and retains moisture. Knowing what type of porosity you have can help keep your hair healthy, or if it’s damaged, help get it back to a healthy state.

How to Find Your Porosity

I found my porosity by doing a strand test. Use a piece of shed hair from your brush and place it in a cup or bowl full of water. Let the hair sit for 2-4 minutes and you will have the result of your type of porosity.

• If your floats, you have low porosity. Low porosity means cuticles lie flat, making it harder for moisture to absorb into your strands. However, once moisture is absorbed, the cuticles seal it in and your hair will stay moisturized. Those with low porosity need to use methods to lift cuticles in order to get moisture in. Ways to open low porosity cuticles are indirect heat like using a hooded dryer during deep conditioning or steam treatments. Low porosity is usually the most common and can be considered healthy hair.
• If your hair sinks, you have high porosity. High porosity means your cuticles remain opened and can easily absorb moisture.  Unfortunately, as easily as it absorbs moisture, it’s just as easy to lose it. Imagine your hair as a sponge. It’s soft and easily manageable when it’s wet, but hard and stiff when dry dry. High porosity is a result of over processed and damaged hair.
• If your hair sinks to the middle, you have medium porosity. Medium porosity means that your cuticles don’t lie flat but aren’t opened enough to lose all of its moisture. Your hair is healthy, is easily moisturized and can handle manipulation. There are some women who can do a lot to their hair and it still remain healthy, but if not careful, porosity can still change.

 Click the picture below for a close look at the strand

Results of my strand test: I have MEDIUM POROSITY. The strand sinks right under the water’s surface not sinking to the bottom or lying on top. It’s easy for me to add moisture in my hair with the right products, however, I do have to stay with a regimen that will give my hair enough moisture and be able to keep it in

What Now?

Once you’ve learn your porosity, you can begin to make a regimen that will cater to your hair. When searching for products for your regimen, always read the ingredients. Water should be the first ingredient when searching for a product to moisturize. Sulfates can be stripping to natural hair so if you decide to use them, use in moderation. It’s better to use a shampoo without sulfate so it won’t strip the natural oils your hair produces and needs to keep it moisturized. Sealing in moisture with an oil or butter is a great way to keep your hair healthy. Never comb your natural hair dry, if you must manipulate your hair in a dry state, finger detangle your hair with your fingers coated in some type of oil or butter.

For more info about porosity, check out these articles:

HAIR POROSITY AND YOUR NATURAL HAIR REGIMEN

TREATING HAIR WITH HIGH POROSITY: 4 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HAIR’S POROSITY