Hair Porosity

Hair porosity refers to the hair’s ability to absorb and retain water. There are 3 main types of hair porosity and your type is often dictated by your genetics, as well as how you treat it. Understanding your hair porosity is important because it enables you to choose the right hair care products and routine.

Types of Hair

Low Porosity Hair

• Cuticle layer: Tightly packed and flat.
• Moisture absorption: Difficult—water and products tend to sit on top of the hair rather than soaking in.
• Common signs:
  • Hair takes a long time to get fully wet.
  • Product build-up is common.
  • Air-drying takes a long time.

Care tips Use lightweight, water-based products and apply moisture with heat (e.g., warm water, steam, or heat caps) to help open the cuticle.

Medium/Normal Porosity Hair

• Cuticle layer: Loosely packed, allowing balanced moisture flow.
• Moisture absorption: Just right—absorbs and retains moisture without much effort.
• Common signs:
  • Hair is easy to style and holds styles well.
  • Accepts colour and treatments evenly.
  • Looks healthy with minimal effort.

Care tips Maintain balance with regular conditioning and avoid over-processing.

High Porosity Hair

• Cuticle layer: Raised, with gaps and holes due to genetics, heat, chemical damage, or over-styling.
• Moisture absorption: Absorbs water quickly but also loses it just as fast.
• Common signs:
  • Hair dries quickly after washing.
  • Often frizzy, tangles easily.
  • Prone to breakage and split ends.

Care tips Use heavier butters and oils to seal moisture, protein treatments for strength, and avoid harsh chemicals/heat