Simply put, porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. The hair can have a low level of porosity, a normal balance or be very porous. A normal balance is ideal because it ensures that our hair absorbs and retains moisture properly. Low porosity is also not a concern; it just means it will take longer for your hair to absorb the chemicals.

Hair that is highly porous, on the other hand, has a harder time absorbing moisture. Porous hair also absorbs chemicals and heat faster than less porous hair. As a result, it is more susceptible to damage from over-processing. Another problem with highly porous hair is how quickly it loses moisture. Because the cuticle is open and stressed, it easily absorbs and loses moisture, making hair look and feel dry and straw-colored.

Test the porosity of your hair

You can check if your hair has a porosity problem by performing a strand test. Run your fingers through a strand of hair from roots to ends and see if the hair feels rough and dry at the ends. Another simple test is to place a few strands of hair in a cup of water and see how quickly they sink. Faster water (moisture) absorption may seem ideal, but it’s not because highly porous hair will lose moisture as quickly as it gains it.

What raises the level of hair porosity

The porosity of your hair is affected by the use of chemicals, such as straighteners, dyes and highlights; artificial heat from hair dryers and irons; chlorine; aggressive shampoos containing sulfate and natural factors such as the sun. It is strongly recommended that you reduce your hair’s exposure to these agents to prevent irreparable damage to your hair.

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Keep in mind that the time it takes for the chemicals and heat application to process into your hair is directly affected by the porosity of your hair, rather than the texture of your hair. It is false to assume that your hair will take longer to process color, blow-dry or flat iron simply because it is coarser.

What to do if you have very porous hair

As you’ve probably guessed by now, porosity issues can be corrected with light protein treatments because the protein adheres to the hair and plumps up overly exposed areas. Do not abuse proteins, as they can dry out your hair more. Slow down on protein use if your hair starts to feel crunchy, that’s usually a sign you’re overindulging. If you normally experience protein sensitivity, another alternative is for you to use acid conditioning treatments. Find a good acidic conditioner that you can substitute for deep treatments; Conditioners marketed for damaged or color-treated hair are often more acidic and will serve your hair well. They are formed taking into account the fragility of the hair and are therefore very soft. For a cheaper but effective choice, there is always apple cider vinegar.