Understanding your hair porosity is essential to creating a routine that actually works. Porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. Think of it as the openness of your hair's outer layer, or cuticle.
If you’ve ever wondered why some products just sit on your strands, or why your hair feels dry no matter how much you moisturize, porosity could be the reason. That’s why learning the difference between low vs high porosity hair is a game-changer.
How to Test Your Hair Porosity
The easiest way to figure out your porosity is the Float Test. After washing your hair with our BOND SHAMPOO and allowing it to dry, drop a strand of hair into a glass of water.
This simple experiment can help you identify where your hair falls on the high vs low porosity spectrum and what your hair truly needs to stay healthy and vibrant.
Low porosity hair has a tightly sealed cuticle, which makes it resistant to moisture. Products tend to sit on the surface, and water beads up instead of soaking in. This hair type dries slowly and is more prone to buildup. However, once moisture is inside, it stays locked in, which makes long-lasting hydration possible with the right routine.
Medium porosity hair strikes a healthy balance. Its cuticle allows moisture to enter and stay sealed in, which makes it relatively low-maintenance. This type responds well to most products, dries at a moderate pace, and tends to hold styles beautifully. If this is your porosity, keep your routine simple: hydrate regularly, add protein as needed, and avoid overloading your strands.
High porosity hair has raised or damaged cuticles, often from heat styling, coloring, or genetics. It absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast. This hair type tends to feel dry, look dull, and break easily. Frizz is often a constant battle. In the low porosity hair vs high porosity hair debate, high porosity needs extra protection and moisture layering.
Use rich, nourishing products to seal in hydration and protect the cuticle. Our BOND BOOSTER is a powerful treatment to help repair dry hair and restore inner strength, especially for high porosity textures.
Find Your Hair’s True Match
Still not sure where you fall in the high porosity vs low porosity conversation? That’s okay! Hair porosity can even shift over time due to styling, climate, and care. The key is to stay in tune with how your hair responds and adjust your routine accordingly.