How do I know the porosity of my hair? Have you ever heard of hair porosity? In the following article, we are interested in explaining what porosity is, and then identifying its type or degrees and answering the question posed to help you identify the types of products suitable for caring for your hair, and thus obtain a satisfactory result.
How do I know the porosity of my hair?
What is hair porosity? And how do you know her?
Hair porosity is a term that describes the extent of the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture, and it has several different degrees, including high, medium and low.
- hair cortex: It is the outer layer that envelops the hair and protects its inner layers, and it consists of small scales that are compact.
- hair bark: It is one of the thickest layers of hair, as it contains protein fibers and natural hair dye.
- hair shaft: It is the soft part of the hair that mediates the layers of the hair.
To find out the degree of porosity of the hair, various tests can be performed, such as:
Fragrance test:
You can visit a place whose air smells of perfume and do not leave it before half an hour has passed. If your hair smells after leaving the place, then your hair has high porosity. If the smell of your hair has not changed, then your hair has low porosity. If the hair acquires a light scent, then it is medium porosity.
Buoyancy test:
To perform this test, one hair must be taken from a dry head and dropped into a cup containing moderately hot water. The hair is monitored for several minutes, and these are the expected results:
- If the hair sinks to the bottom of the cup, the porosity of the hair is high.
- If the hair floats to the surface or settles a little below, the hair has low porosity.
- If the hair begins to sink slowly, the hair is of medium porosity.
How do I know the porosity of my curly hair?
There is more than one way to test the porosity of your curly hair at home, and one of the most popular and easiest is to use a cup of water only, and all you have to do is comb the hair well and place a lock of hair inside the transparent cup of water.
If your curly hair has low porosity, it will float in the water cup, but if the hair is medium porosity, it will start to sink slowly in the cup, and if it is of high porosity, it will sink immediately, and in this easy way you will be able to know the porosity of your curly hair.
High porosity of hair
The high porosity of the hair makes the hair absorb moisture and lose it quickly at the same time, in order to form small scales on the outer cover of the hair, and this is why the hair is often brittle, weak and dry, and becomes more prone to entanglement.
Hence, hair care experts offer some tips for taking care of high porosity hair, as we can see:
- Focus on using these oils for hair: coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, and avocado oil.
- Washing hair with cold water when taking a shower.
- Do not over wash, comb and style hair.
- Use hair masks before taking a shower so that the hair absorbs them better.
- Ensure the regular use of suitable products that protect the hair.
- Dry hair on low temperatures or let it air dry.
Low porosity of hair
Low porosity hair is hair in which small scales forming the outer crust are spread, which makes it difficult for moisture to absorb and penetrate into its inner layers, meaning that it does not dry easily after showering, due to the slow rate at which moisture infiltrate the hair.
Among the most important tips he recommends for the care of low porosity hair is the following:
- Applying warm oils to hair using steam or wrapping a hot wet towel.
- Focus on using these hair oils: coconut oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil.
- Trim the ends of your hair regularly, as the ends of this type of hair tend to become brittle and dry quickly.
- Use a scalp cleansing shampoo once a week.
- Use moisturizing masks that contain bananas or avocados once every two weeks.
- Use moderate amounts of hair care products.
Test hair porosity and suitable oils
- Suitable oils for low porosity hair:
Low porosity hair needs oils that are light in texture, such as argan oil, jojoba oil, grape seeds, and sweet almond oil. It is preferable to use them to make a hot oil bath before taking a shower. A little castor oil can also be used with a hair mask to moisturize the hair, as well as olive oil and coconut oil. .
- Suitable oils for medium porosity hair:
It may be difficult to determine the types of oils that are preferred for the medium-porous hair type, because the cuticle layer is not airtight, which helps the moisturizing elements to absorb and penetrate easily and retain moisture, but you can choose oils that contain a balanced amount of all omega acids, as they are the most able to nourish medium-porous hair.
It is recommended to use argan oil, sesame oil, sweet almond oil, as well as olive oil.
- Oils suitable for high porosity hair:
The high porosity of the hair allows it to absorb moisture easily, as its surface is characterized by the presence of large gaps or pores, and coconut oil is the best choice for this type of hair, as well as avocado oil and shea butter oil.
Can hair porosity be changed?
Yes, it is possible to change the porosity of the hair easily by preserving the moisture and health of the hair, and this is done by introducing water, oils and other moisturizing products for the hair within the routine of maintaining your hair, and these products are able to pass and reach the surface of the skin and the outer skin.
And in the event that the pores are close together, it is easy for water and oils to penetrate the hair, which makes it difficult for the hair to obtain and absorb moisture.
Hair porosity test trick
There is more than one test for hair porosity, the most prominent of which are the following:
Spray bottle test:
A little water can be sprayed on the hair mixture. If the water droplets remain on the surface of the hair forming beads, then the hair porosity is low. If the hair absorbs water easily, then its porosity is high. If the water droplets remained on the surface of the hair for a long time until it was absorbed, then it is medium porosity.
Products test:
Note the speed at which your hair will absorb the hair products. If the hair absorbs the products easily and very quickly, this means that the hair has high porosity. If the products remain on the hair for a long time, then the hair has low porosity. If the hair absorbs the products slowly, then this means that the hair is medium porosity.
Hair drying test:
Wash your hair with water and notice the time it takes for the hair to dry. If the hair has high porosity, it will dry quickly. If it is medium porosity, it will dry naturally and in a short time. While the hair with low porosity takes a long time to dry.
Gloss test:
When trying to detect hair shine, you will notice the following:
- Low porosity hair is usually shiny and reflects light.
- Medium or normal porosity hair is moderately shiny.
- High porosity hair is very dull.
slip test:
- Move a strand of hair between your index finger and thumb starting from the edge towards your scalp, and if you feel that the hair thread is uneven, then this means that the hair porosity is high, and if the hair thread is fine, you have low hair porosity, but if the hair thread is normal, you have hair porosity Medium.
tangle test:
Hair with high porosity is more prone to tangles and finds it difficult to remove tangles. If the hair is of low porosity, it is easy to control its styling. If the hair is easy and flowing without any tangles, it is of medium porosity.
Protein test:
When using the protein test, you find that hair with high porosity is the most receptive to protein treatments, and its results appear quickly, while hair with low porosity does not receive well protein treatments for hair, and if hair is medium porosity, it will respond to protein treatment in a balanced manner.
Low porosity hair products
There is a group of oils suitable for low porosity hair, which are light oils that do not weigh the hair down and can be easily absorbed, the most prominent of which are grape seed oil, jojoba oil, pomegranate oil, sesame seed oil, sunflower seed oil, and apricot oil.
Here are the most important advantages of natural oils for low porosity hair:
Argan oil: One of the oils that are very suitable for this type of hair porosity, due to its moisturizing properties, and because it forms a layer that envelops the hair and prevents moisture loss. It is also characterized by its high content of vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids.
Jojoba oil:
This type of oil is characterized by a formula that makes the hair get a great moisturizing result, as it is easily absorbed, as it is very similar to the natural oils secreted by the scalp to moisturize the hair.
Sweet almond oil:
Sweet almond oil enhances the retention of moisture, which makes it a suitable choice. It is also rich in vitamins and contains zinc and potassium, those minerals that help moisturize hair.
Low porosity hair can also be taken care of by using products rich in moisturizers that help soften and moisturize the hair, as they attract moisture from the air to the hair. In general, products that contain a low percentage of proteins can be used, as protein tends to accumulate on hair with low porosity. Which makes the hair less porous.
Low porosity hair products also include choosing the appropriate type of shampoo. There are many types of shampoos available in the market that are rich in moisturizing and protein-enriched materials. Among the best types of shampoos used for low porosity hair are:
Garnier shampoo with honey:
This shampoo is rich in honey, free of preservatives that harm hair such as parabens, and is of good price and high quality, it has won 5 reviews from many.
Garnier Shampoo with Coconut Oil and Glycerin:
Garnier shampoo contains coconut oil, which is known to be the best choice for dry hair, as well as glycerin, which is beneficial for low porosity hair due to its quick and easy absorption, moisturizing and nourishing hair.
It also protects low porosity hair from damage, as it is free of hair-damaging sulfates or silicones, in addition to being economical in its price.
Neutrogena weekly treatment shampoo:
This shampoo is distinguished by its effective formula in cleaning the hair of dust and remaining oils related to it. It is one of the effective and gentle low-porosity hair products that prevent scalp irritation. Neutrogena shampoo has received the highest rating on the Amazon market, five stars out of five. Its price is considered quite good.
Shea Moisture Yogurt and Honey Shampoo:
The ingredients of this shampoo are beneficial for low porosity hair. Manuka honey strengthens the hair and prevents its loss. It also treats diseases that affect the scalp. It also moisturizes the hair and gives it a beautiful and distinctive shine. It is also free of parabens and sulfates. It has won a lot of admiration on Amazon for its quality and somewhat reasonable price. .
Shea Moisture Shampoo with Sacha Inchi Oil:
It is rich in sacha inchi oil, which is known for its benefits in moisturizing and nourishing low porosity hair, because it contains saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. One of its main components is the quinoa plant that strengthens low porosity hair, nourishes it and helps repair damaged hair, as well as the herb Kof Marin that protects hair from falling and promotes its growth.
This shampoo is also free of parabens, sulfates, and mineral oils that are harmful to low porosity hair.
Kinky Curly Natural Moisturizing Shampoo:
Kinky Curly shampoo contains phytic acid, which cleanses the hair and scalp, and contains soy extract for moisturizing and nourishing hair. It also contains mandarin extract and seaweed, which balance moisturizing hair and moisturizing the scalp from fatty residues, and is suitable for dry hair.
Hair care experts recommend using conditioner as well, by diluting the conditioner with a small amount of water when applying it to the hair, and this helps make the conditioner more absorbent by the hair and less likely to stay on the outer layer of the hair.
In order to take care of low porosity hair, you should stay away from conditioners that contain protein, as protein compounds can increase the risk of hair breakage. Here are the best types of conditioner products that can be used for low porosity hair:
DevaCurl Conditioner:
This conditioner is rich in olive oil, hamamelis, lemon balm, and other herbs that are beneficial for low porosity hair. It is free of parabens, preservatives, and silicones. The advantage of this product is that it maintains low porosity hair.
Davines conditioner:
It is one of the types of conditioners that can be left on the hair, so it can be sprayed on the hair and it is not necessary to wash it, and it works to nourish, moisturize and soften low porosity hair, so it can be considered one of the best products for low porosity hair.
In addition to oils, shampoos and conditioners, masks can be used to treat low porosity hair, such as:
Mask from Jessie Curl:
It is enriched with basil, mint, lemongrass, rosemary, and other herbs that are beneficial for low porosity hair. It is characterized by its refreshing and distinctive scent, and its high moisturizing effect, and it has a four and a half star rating on Amazon.
Mask from Briogeo:
This mask is used for one time due to its small package. The mask contains a special cap that is placed on the hair and left for a period of time to give better effectiveness. A mask from Briogeo treats low porosity hair as it restores its vitality and shine, thanks to the fact that it contains a group of natural oils such as almond oil and pomegranate oil. Rose, vitamin B, and antioxidants, it's pricey, but it works wonders.
