Do you know your hair type?

A porosity test will determine your type. It is important to know your hair type so that you can use the correct method and products for your hair. This test is also referred to as Absorption Test

Test with water by taking a clean strand of hair and adding it to a glass of water to observe how it behaves. If your hair stays at the top of the glass, then it is low porosity. If your hair floats in the middle, it has normal porosity. If your hair sinks at the bottom, it is high porosity.

You can also test your hair by spraying water on clean hair and see how it behaves.

Another test is to take several strands of clean, dry hair and place them in a bowl of warm water. Wait for two minutes to observe the results.

Low Porosity Hair

Low porosity means that the cuticles are close together. This makes it hard for moisture to penetrate the cuticle and reach the cortex. However, on the other hand, this hair doesn’t lose moisture easily once you use the right hair products on it.

• Hair takes long to get wet
• Products sits on the hair and produces product build-up
• Heat is needed for better product absorption
• Hair tends to be too oily
• Hair takes time to dry up
• Water sits on hair
• Scalp is dry and prone to get dandruff
• The hair needs to be clarified/shampooed for better moisture retention
• The hair tends to resist conditioners

Medium/Normal Porosity Hair

Medium porosity means that the cuticles have a bit of space between them. This means that moisture easily penetrates the cuticle and reaches the cortex. However, your hair also loses moisture but less than high porosity hair

• The hair is easy to style
• Medium porosity hair can hold styles for a good length of time
• Hair tends to look healthy
• Hair takes in colour well
• The hair doesn’t take too long to air dry

High Porosity Hair

High porosity means that the cuticles have a lot of space between them. This hair easily gets moisture from products but it loses moisture even quicker so this can lead to dry, brittle hair.

• Hair feels dry most of the times
• Rapid moisture loss
• Frizzy hair
• Hair is prone to breakage
• Hair gets wet very easily
• Hair tangles easily
• Rarely looks shiny
• Absorbs products very easily
• Hair lacks elasticity
• Hardly gets greasy

By understanding your hair porosity you are able to buy the best products for your hair so it reaches its full potential.