When it comes to discussing hair care, frizzy, dry, dehydrated, or damaged are often talked about, but how often do you discuss the role porosity plays? Learning to pay attention to the porosity of your hair and common routines and products to treat your unique type can help improve the look and feel of your style.
What Is Porosity:
The porosity of hair refers to how closely the cuticles of each hair strand are arranged together, which impacts your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. Porosity is categorized as either low, medium or high, and should be addressed differently according to where your hair ranks. Cuticles are often described as the shingles of a roof with low porosity hair having shingles that lay flight, while high porosity is lifted or open. There are challenges and benefits to each type.
The Types of Porosity:
LOW
This type of hair is characterized as individual strands that have cuticles that are arranged close together. This type often takes much longer to dry and might notice products sitting on top of the hair rather than absorbing. Due to the nature of this porosity, it is best to avoid thick oils and creams and opt for lightweight hydration.
Product Suggestion: Wella Professionals Elements Renewing Mask
MEDIUM
With cuticles that are less tightly arranged, this type will most likely easily absorb and retain moisture. This type of porosity usually performs well with coloring and styling and should be treated according to hair pattern and texture. Curlier and coily textures will need heavier moisturizing products while fine and thin hair will crave strength and lightweight moisturizers.
Product Suggestion: Wella Professionals Elements Lightweight Conditioning Leave-In Spray
HIGH
Categorized as having a more open cuticle layer, hair that has a high level of porosity has a tendency to look and feel dry, will experience more frizz, and will dry quickly. Due to this, high porosity types love hydrating products to add vitamins, moisture, and nourishment where needed.
Product Suggestion: Wella Professionals Invigo Nutri-Enrich Wonder Balm
What Impacts Porosity:
While your genetics play a large role in the type of porosity you may have, environmental stressors also have a big impact. When hair undergoes excessive lightening, heat styling, or over washing, it can raise the porosity of your hair and leave the cuticles in a more open and susceptible state. This is why paying attention to hairstyling routines and supplementing with the proper hair care for your hair type, porosity, texture, and pattern are imperative.
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