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Low vs High-Porosity Hair: Which One Are You?
Something that many overlook when it comes to hair care is their hair porosity. While many can easily figure out whether their scalp is dry or oily, hair damaged or not, figuring out their hair porosity, on the other hand, seems more of a challenge.
Hair is a form of self-expression. By better understanding your hair porosity, not only will you be able to take better care of your hair, but you will also discover what products, ingredients, and hair and scalp treatments in Singapore work best for your hair and hair porosity type.
Ready for a completely new outlook on your hair? Keep reading to discover the different types of hair porosity, helping you identify which is yours and how to manage your hair porosity levels for hair that looks and feels healthier than ever.
What is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity is the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture, determined by the state of the hair cuticle layer. It also influences the overall shape and size of your hair cuticles. Typically categorised as low or high, your hair porosity levels play a crucial role in how your hair interacts with products and responds to treatments.
Moreover, genetics significantly influence porosity, as natural hair structure and cuticle alignment are often inherited. Environmental factors and chemical treatments can also alter porosity over time. Understanding your hair’s porosity helps you tailor care routines for healthier, more manageable locks.
Types of Hair Porosity
There are three types of hair porosity: low, medium, and high. However, the most common concerns are low and high porosity, as medium porosity offers the perfect balance between moisture absorption and retention, making it easily manageable.
Read more below to discover which type of hair porosity you might have.
Low Porosity Hair
- Hair cuticles are tightly packed together.
- Hair doesn’t absorb as much moisture, sitting on the surface of your hair instead.
- Often, you see water beading on top of your hair when showering.
- More susceptible to hair product buildup from poor absorption.
- It takes long for your hair to get completely wet and dry.
Medium Porosity Hair
- Hair cuticles are not too tightly packed or open.
- Water beads will appear only for a while before it quickly sinks into the hair.
- Hair is easy to manage and style.
- Hair gets wet and dries easily.
- Hair looks glossy, shiny, or healthy.
High Porosity Hair
- Hair cuticles are more open.
- Hair absorbs moisture easily and quickly but is harder to retain moisture.
- Prone to frizz, breakage, and split ends.
- Hair easily and quickly gets wet, and air dries fast.
- Despite the fast absorption of moisture, hair often looks dry.
How to determine your hair porosity
If you still can’t determine your hair porosity type, don’t worry! Pay attention to how your hair behaves with water and products. One simple test is the float test: take a clean strand of hair and place it in a glass of water.
If it sinks quickly, you likely have high porosity. If it floats on top, it’s low porosity. Medium porosity usually results in the strand floating mid-level. Alternatively, observe how long your hair takes to dry—longer drying times often indicate low porosity, while quick drying points to high porosity.
Tailoring Your Hair Care Routine Based on Porosity
For Low Porosity Hair
If you’ve determined you have low porosity hair, don’t be too bummed about it! While it may resist moisture and products initially, your hair just needs the right approach. Use lightweight, water-based products and avoid heavy oils that can weigh your hair down.
Warm water or steam can help open the cuticle, allowing moisture to penetrate more effectively. Opt for sulfate-free shampoos to prevent buildup, and deep condition regularly with heat for better absorption. Proper care ensures low-porosity hair stays hydrated, shiny, and healthy.
For High Porosity Hair
With high-porosity hair, the issue isn’t whether your hair can absorb moisture, but rather how well it can retain moisture. The cuticles are often more open, raised, or damaged, causing moisture to escape quickly.
To care for high-porosity hair, focus on using deep conditioners and leave-in treatments rich in proteins and oils to strengthen and seal the cuticle. Avoid harsh heat styling and opt for gentle, sulfate-free shampoos. Protective styles and regular trims can also help minimise breakage, keeping your hair healthier and more manageable.
Common Hair Care Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Now that you know what type of hair porosity you have, don’t make these common hair care mistakes!
Misidentifying Your Hair Porosity
When you misidentify your hair porosity, you might use products or routines that don’t suit your hair’s needs, leading to dryness, frizz, or buildup. Avoid this mistake by testing your porosity properly and observing how your hair responds to water and products. Tailor your care routine accordingly for optimal results.
Overloading Hair with the Wrong Products
Too many cooks will spoil the broth; the same applies to hair care products. Overloading your hair with incompatible products can cause buildup, weaken it, and disrupt its natural balance. Stick to a simple routine tailored to your hair type, and prioritise quality over quantity for healthier, manageable hair.
Importance of Having The Right Hair Care Routine
The right hair care routine is essential for maintaining healthy, vibrant hair, regardless of hair porosity. It ensures your strands receive the proper hydration, nourishment, and protection, reducing issues like dryness, breakage, or frizz and promotes scalp health, crucial for strong hair growth.
Ready to give your hair and scalp the care they deserve? Consider a professional scalp treatment to deeply cleanse, rejuvenate, and optimise your hair care journey! If you need scalp treatment in Singapore, TK TrichoKare is your solution. Contact us today to find out how to resolve your hair problems, from dandruff to hair loss.
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*Individual results may vary. There is no scientific proof that any product (except certain registered medicinal products) or service can retard hair loss or promote hair growth.
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