Hair porosity is your hair’s ability to retain and absorb water depending on how open your hair cuticles are. To find out more about hair porosity, including the characteristics of the different levels of porosity, click here 

HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR HAIR’S POROSITY  

There are 3 methods you could use to test for your hair porosity. This will allow you to understand your hair and maximise the benefits of your hair products .

THE FLOAT TEST

To get more accurate results from this method, you need to make sure your hair is clean. Firstly fill a bowl or cup with room temperature water.

1. Fill a bowl or cup with room temperature water
2. Take a couple of strands from your hair and place them into the water. NB: make sure your hair is clean because products could alter your results.
3. Watch what happens to your hair for 2-4 minutes:

• If your hair sinks immediately = High Porosity hair
• If your hair is slowly sinking and is half way = Normal Porosity Hair
• If your hair is floating on top of the water = Low Porosity hair

THE SLIP N SLIDE TEST

1. Take a strand of your hair
2. Slide your finger from the ends to near the scalp
3. Pay attention to how your hair feels as you slide your finger up and down your hair strand

• If your hair feels bumpy = High porosity hair
• if your slide is smooth = Low porosity hair

THE SPRAY BOTTLE TEST

1. Take a section of your hair and keep the rest out of the way by pinning it back
2. Add water into a spray bottle and sprits just enough of it on that section of your hair
3. Wait for a few seconds and watch what happens

• If the water absorbs and dries quick = High porosity hair
• If your hair stays wet or the water beads up = Low porosity hair
• If the water stays and becomes dry after a few seconds = Normal porosity hair

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR HAIR ACCORDING to its porosity level

HIGH POROSITY HAIR REGIMEN

1. Products containing protein should be an integral part of your hair routine as this will repair the structure of your hair cuticles and by closing up the gaps in your cuticles. To maximise the full  benefits of protein based products, you need to use moisture as well because protein and moisture work together to create healthy hair strands.
2. You should deep condition high porosity hair as often as possible (weekly or biweekly) to allow your hair to soak up the nutrients.
3. Avoid heat and any products like excessive colouring that could do further damage to your hair. Heat will open your cuticles even more, making it even more difficult for you to retain any moisture and the goal is to retain moisture and try close up the cuticles. 

The Palmer’s deep conditioning protein pack is one deep conditioner I would recommend for high porosity  hair because it has the exact amount  protein this kind of hair needs. This protein pack does not have sulphate or any other harmful chemicals that could cause further damage to your hair and in that case I believe this to be the perfect deep conditioner for high porosity hair.

LOW POROSITY HAIR REGIMEN

1. Unlike highly porous high, low porosity hair needs heat because heat opens up the cuticles and makes easier for the moisture to be absorbed into the cuticle as opposed to remaining on the hair. NB: I AM NOT REFERRING TO BLOW DRYERS AND STRAIGHTENERS!! Indirect heat is what you need like steaming your hair for 10-15 minutes before you wash it or warming up your deep conditioner before using it to make the absorption of moisture much easier .
2. Clarifying your hair is very essential if you have low porosity hair because your hair type is prone to product build up causing dandruff, etc. I have low porosity hair and I clarify with Apple cider vinegar once every week and I rinse it out with warm water to keep my cuticles open as I proceed with my wash day.
3. Avoid protein based products or products that contain protein because low porosity hair is protein sensitive and this could lead to hair feeling dry, breaking and feeling straw like. Finding non-protein containing products is very hard as most products contain protein but try look for moisture based or moisture replenishing products or any product that says balance instead of protein products.
4. Water based products are your best friend. if you look at the ingredients of a product and water isn’t the first ingredient there then you’re probably using the wrong product (cut it sis!). Products containing water have a lighter consistency and that is what you need for low porosity hair so avoid hair puddings/butters as they are too thick for your hair to handle and they will make it difficult will make it difficult for your hair to absorb all the moisture it needs. 
5. Use light oils because your hair is already struggling to retain moisture and all of the moisture sits on your hair and a heavy oil will weigh down your hair making it greasy and ultimately clogging your scalp. Oils such as grapeseed oil and almond oil are your go to oils.

The My natural strengthening oil is one of my favourite oils, not only because it smells very nice but because it has all the necessary oils that are suitable for my low porosity hair. This oil is a little bit thick in consistency but you can get away with using it if you have low porosity hair. With that being said, this is also very perfect for high and normal porosity hair.

What is your hair porosity level and what are you going to add in your hair routine to make your hair much healthier and even more beautiful ?