What is Hair Porosity? A Complete Guide

 

Key Takeaways

• What is Hair Porosity?  It's your hair's ability to absorb and hold moisture, determined by the state of your hair's outer layer, the cuticle.

• Porosity Types:  You can have low, medium, or high porosity, and you can find out yours with simple at-home tests like the float and spray tests.

• Causes: Porosity is influenced by genetics. External factors like heat, chemical treatments, and physical damage changes porosity temporarily but the new hair retains the original porosity.

• Porosity & Ayurveda:  Your hair porosity can be linked to the three doshas: Kapha (low porosity), Pitta (medium porosity), and Vata (high porosity).

• The Right Products:  Knowing your porosity is key to choosing products that work. Lightweight, water-based products are best for low porosity hair, while rich, protein-based products are best for high porosity hair.

Have you ever wondered why your hair feels dry, a product sits on top of your strands without absorbing, or why your hair gets wet very quickly in the shower but seems to take forever to dry? The answer to these questions is tied to a single, essential concept in hair care: what is hair porosity?

In this blog, we will discuss everything related to hair porosity so you have a better idea about identifying your hair type and managing it.

First, let’s answer the main question of this blog.

What is Hair Porosity?

Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and hold moisture. It is determined by the condition of your hair's outer layer, called the cuticle. The cuticle is made of tiny, overlapping scales, much like shingles on a roof.

These scales can be tightly packed, slightly raised, or wide open, and their arrangement dictates how easily moisture and products can pass in and out of your hair shaft.

Understanding your hair porosity is the foundational first step toward creating a hair care routine that truly works for you. It's not just about whether a product works or not, it's about understanding the fundamental structure of your hair to provide it with the right kind of care.

Now that you have a basic idea of what hair porosity is, you might be wondering why it matters so much. The way your hair's cuticle behaves has a direct impact on its health and appearance.

How Does Hair Porosity Affect Hair Health?

The way your hair cuticle behaves has a direct impact on its overall health, appearance, and ability to stay moisturized. If your cuticle is too tight (low porosity), moisture can't get in easily, leading to dryness and product buildup.

If it's too open (high porosity), moisture can get in easily but escapes just as fast, leaving your hair feeling dry and prone to damage. When the cuticle is balanced (medium porosity), it allows for a healthy exchange of moisture, which is why it is often considered the most manageable hair type.

Recognizing your hair's porosity is therefore crucial for selecting the right products and implementing the proper techniques.

To truly understand your hair's needs, you need to know which type of porosity you have. There are three main types, each with its own unique characteristics.

What are the Types of Hair Porosity & How They Are Different

There are three main types of hair porosity - low porosity, medium porosity, and high porosity. Each has distinct characteristics based on the structure of the cuticle.

1. Low Porosity

With low porosity hair, the cuticles are tightly packed and lie flat. This makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate the hair shaft. Hair products tend to sit on the surface of the hair, leading to buildup. Once moisture is in, however, this type of hair retains it very well.

2. Medium Porosity

Medium porosity hair has cuticles that are not too tightly packed and not too open. This allows moisture to penetrate the hair shaft easily and to be retained for a good amount of time. This is often considered the ideal porosity type as it is generally well-balanced and easy to care for.

3. High Porosity

With high porosity hair, the cuticles are raised and have gaps. This allows moisture to be absorbed very quickly but also causes it to escape just as fast. Hair with high porosity is often prone to dryness and frizz because it struggles to hold on to the moisture it has absorbed.

So, why does one person have low porosity hair and another has high porosity? The answer lies in a combination of factors that determine your hair's natural state and how it changes over time.

What Causes Hair Porosity?

Hair porosity is primarily determined by two main factors, but a third, often overlooked factor can also play a significant role.

1. Genetics

You are born with a certain hair porosity type, which is an inherited trait passed down from your family. This is the natural state of your hair's cuticle layer. For some, a very compact and tightly sealed cuticle (low porosity) is a natural characteristic.

For others, the cuticle naturally has a slightly more open structure (medium or high porosity). While this is the fundamental cause, your hair’s porosity can be altered over time.

2. External Damage

Your hair's porosity can change due to damage from outside factors. This is a very common cause, especially for people with medium or low porosity hair whose hair becomes high porosity over time.

• Heat Styling: Using tools like flat irons, curling irons, and even high heat from a blow dryer can physically lift and damage the hair's cuticle scales. Over time, this constant heat exposure can create permanent gaps in the cuticle, leading to high porosity.

• Chemical Treatments: Processes like hair bleaching, perms, and permanent hair dye use harsh chemicals to force the cuticle scales open to change the hair's colour or texture. This process can significantly increase your hair's porosity.

• Environmental Factors: Daily exposure to sun, chlorine from swimming pools, or even harsh winds can damage the hair's protein structure. It can also lift the cuticle scales and make your hair more porous.

3. Mechanical Damage

This refers to physical stress on your hair. While it doesn't involve heat or chemicals, it can still cause your hair's cuticle to become damaged and raised.

• Rough Brushing: Brushing your hair aggressively, especially when wet, can cause the cuticle scales to lift and even break off.

• Harsh Towel Drying: Vigorously rubbing your hair with a towel after washing creates friction that can damage the cuticle and lead to frizz and an increase in porosity.

• Using The Wrong Hair Ties: Tight hair ties or those with metal parts can cause tension and friction on your hair, leading to breakage and damage over time.

It is important to note here that your genetic hair porosity is the one that you retain your entire life. External and mechanical damage can change your hair porosity temporarily. However, new hair growth retains your original porosity.

Now that you know what causes hair porosity, let's look at the signs you can observe. Your hair's characteristics are a direct reflection of its porosity level.

What are the Characteristics of Hair Based on Porosity Levels?

The characteristics of hair based on its porosity level can be understood by how its outer layer, the cuticle, behaves. A hair cuticle with low porosity is tightly packed and repels water, while a medium porosity cuticle is balanced, and a high porosity cuticle is open and porous. These differences affect how your hair feels, absorbs products, and reacts to moisture.

Once you can identify your hair's characteristics, you are better equipped to care for it. But even then, it's easy to fall into common traps. Knowing these mistakes can help you get the best results from your hair care routine.

What are the Common Hair Porosity Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the right products, missteps in your routine can prevent your hair from looking its best. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make with each porosity type and how to fix them.

Mistakes with Low Porosity Hair

• Using too many heavy products: Applying thick butters and oils to low porosity hair can quickly lead to buildup and can leave your hair feeling greasy and limp. To avoid this, use lightweight, water-based products that can penetrate the hair shaft easily.

• Not using water-based shampoo: Since products tend to sit on top of this hair type, buildup is a major concern. Make sure to use a water-based shampoo that allows your hair to properly absorb moisture. Prakruth Care is the first Indian brand to develop a water-based shampoo which penetrates the cuticles and offers moisture to the scalp for better product absorption.

Mistakes with Medium Porosity Hair

• Overdoing protein treatments: While your hair can handle protein, using too many protein-rich products can lead to a protein overload. This can make your hair feel stiff and brittle. The key is to find a balance between protein and moisture.

• Ignoring heat protectants: Your hair may be resilient, but it is not invincible. Using heat styling tools without a protectant will eventually cause damage to the cuticle and can temporarily increase your hair’s porosity.

Mistakes with High Porosity Hair

• Not sealing in moisture: This is the most common mistake. Since your hair loses moisture quickly, simply applying a conditioner is not enough. You must seal the moisture in with an oil or a rich, creamy product to keep your hair hydrated throughout the day.

• Over-washing your hair: Washing your hair too often can strip it of its natural oils, which your hair desperately needs to stay moisturized. Try to extend the time between washes to maintain your hair's natural moisture balance.

Now that you know what to avoid, let's focus on what you should be doing. Caring for your hair according to its porosity is all about using the right products and techniques for its unique needs.

What are the Hair Care Tips According to Hair Porosity?

Once you know your hair's porosity, you can choose the right products and care routine.

Low Porosity Hair Care

The goal is to help moisture penetrate the hair shaft.

• What to Use: Use lightweight, water-based products that won't cause buildup. Look for products that contain glycerin, aloe vera, and honey.

• What to Avoid: Heavy butters and oils that can sit on the hair's surface.

• Tips: Use warm water to wash your hair to help open the cuticle. You can also apply heat with a steamer or hooded dryer during conditioning to aid absorption.

Medium Porosity Hair Care

The goal is to maintain the hair's balance.

• What to Use: A balanced routine of shampoos and conditioners.

• What to Avoid: Over-processing with harsh chemical treatments or excessive heat styling, which can cause damage.

• Tips: Use deep conditioning treatments regularly to maintain your hair's moisture levels.

High Porosity Hair Care

The goal is to seal moisture into the hair and strengthen it.

• What to Use: Rich, moisturizing products with heavy oils and butters. Protein treatments are also important to help fill the gaps in the cuticle.

• What to Avoid: Products with harsh chemicals and sulfates that can dry out hair.

• Tips: Use a leave-in conditioner to lock in moisture after washing. Rinsing your hair with cool water can help to close the cuticles and seal in moisture.

Hair porosity is a modern concept, but the idea of personalizing hair care is an ancient one. For centuries, the Indian system of Ayurveda has connected hair types to the body's natural energies.

How is Hair Porosity Connected with Ayurveda's Doshas?

In Ayurveda, your body's unique constitution is defined by three energies, or doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas also correspond to specific hair types and needs.

Knowing your dosha and porosity is a powerful tool. It allows you to choose hair care products that work in harmony with your hair's natural properties.

How to Care for Your Hair According to Your Porosity and Dosha

Now that you understand your hair's unique type and its connection to the Ayurvedic doshas, the next step is finding the right products. Choosing a routine that aligns with your specific needs is the key to achieving a healthy, lasting balance. This is where Prakruth Care's holistic approach to hair care can help.

Prakruth Care Has a Solution for Every Dosha

We, at Prakruth Care, have created our product lines to directly address the needs of each dosha and porosity type and make it simple to find what's best for you.

Vata Dosha & High Porosity Hair

Your hair needs products that will seal in moisture and reduce frizz. Our High Porosity Hair Products are made to nourish dry, frizzy, and damaged hair. We use rich, moisturizing ingredients to help your hair retain the hydration it needs.

Pitta Dosha & Medium Porosity Hair

Your hair is generally balanced and needs a routine that maintains its health and shine while preventing premature greying. Our Medium Porosity Hair Products are designed to give your hair the perfect balance of care without weighing it down.

Kapha Dosha & Low Porosity Hair

Your hair needs lightweight products that can penetrate the hair shaft without causing buildup. Our Low Porosity Hair Products are a water-based solution that cleanses and moisturizes without adding heaviness.

Conclusion

Finding the right hair care products shouldn't be a guessing game. By understanding your hair's porosity and its connection to your unique dosha, you've gained the knowledge to choose a routine that truly works for you. This simple step, moving from guessing to understanding, is your key to achieving healthy, beautiful hair.

Ready to start your journey to a healthier scalp and more beautiful hair? Shop Prakruth Care's products today.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my hair porosity change?

Yes, your hair's porosity can change temporarily over time. While genetics give you your natural porosity, external factors like heat styling, chemical treatments (like colouring or perming), and sun exposure can damage the hair's cuticle. However, over a period of time, your hair will regain its original porosity.

Is one porosity type better than another?

No. No single porosity type is "better" than another. Each type simply has different needs. Low porosity hair is great at retaining moisture once it gets it, while high porosity hair is great at absorbing products quickly. Understanding your type helps you give your hair the specific care it needs to be healthy.

Does hair porosity relate to hair type (straight, wavy, curly, coily)?

Hair porosity and hair type are two separate things, and a person can have any porosity with any hair type. For example, you can have straight hair with high porosity or curly hair with low porosity. However, people with curly or coily hair often find that their hair naturally has a higher porosity, and those with straight hair may find it has lower porosity.

Can I have different porosities on my head?

Yes. It is possible to have different porosity levels in different areas of your hair. For instance, the ends of your hair may have a higher porosity due to styling and sun damage, while the new growth at your roots has a lower porosity.