Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about hair porosity

What is hair porosity and why does it matter?: Hair porosity refers to your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. It's determined by how your cuticles (the outer layer of your hair) lie. Understanding your hair porosity is crucial because it affects how your hair responds to products, styling techniques, and treatments. Using the wrong products for your porosity type can lead to issues like dryness, frizz, or product buildup.
Can my hair porosity change over time?: Yes, hair porosity can change due to various factors including heat styling, chemical treatments (like coloring or relaxing), environmental damage, and aging. For example, frequent use of heat tools without proper protection can damage the cuticle layer, potentially changing low porosity hair to high porosity hair over time.
How often should I test my hair porosity?: It's a good idea to check your hair porosity about once every 6-12 months, or if you notice significant changes in how your hair behaves or responds to products. If you've recently undergone a major chemical treatment or experienced significant environmental exposure (like a summer of sun and swimming), you might want to retest sooner.
Can I have different porosity levels throughout my hair?: Yes, it's quite common to have different porosity levels in different sections of your hair. For example, your ends might be more porous than your roots due to more exposure to damage. This is especially common in people with color-treated hair or those who use heat styling tools frequently. In these cases, you might need to use different products or techniques on different parts of your hair.
Is the float test reliable for determining hair porosity?: While the float test is popular and easy to perform, it's not always the most reliable method. Factors like oils, product residue, or air trapped in the hair strand can affect the results. For more accurate assessment, it's best to use multiple testing methods (like the float test, slide test, and spray bottle test) and consider how your hair generally behaves with products and moisture.
Can I change my hair porosity?: While you can't permanently change your natural hair porosity, you can temporarily alter how your hair behaves through proper care and product selection. For high porosity hair, protein treatments can help fill in gaps in the cuticle. For low porosity hair, clarifying treatments can remove buildup that prevents moisture absorption. Consistent care tailored to your porosity type can improve your hair's overall health and appearance.
Do different hair textures (straight, wavy, curly) have different porosity tendencies?: Hair texture and porosity are independent characteristics, though they can influence each other. Any hair texture can have any porosity level. However, curly and coily hair types tend to be more prone to high porosity because the bends and curves in the hair can cause the cuticle to lift more easily. Straight hair sometimes tends toward low porosity, but this is not a rule. It's important to test your specific hair rather than making assumptions based on texture.
How does hair porosity affect coloring results?: Hair porosity significantly impacts how hair color is absorbed and how long it lasts. High porosity hair absorbs color quickly but may also fade faster. Low porosity hair can be resistant to color, requiring longer processing times, but once colored, the color typically lasts longer. Medium porosity hair usually accepts color evenly and predictably. If you're planning to color your hair, discussing your porosity with your stylist can help achieve better, more predictable results.