As a general rule of thumb, straight hair types usually have low porosity. That said, it's possible that a few of your curly hair friends also have moisture-resistant fibers.
Lower porosity is more common in straight hair. Curly or coily hair is more likely to be highly porous. People can test the porosity of their hair at home by seeing how quickly a clean strand sinks in water. It is not possible to make low porosity hair more absorbent in the long term.
Because low porosity hair is so difficult to penetrate, this hair type can become easily damaged and dried out. Additionally, this hair type does a poor job of absorbing moisturizing products like conditioner and masks, leading to this hair type easily becoming oily and greasy.
An estimated 20 percent of the population has low porosity hair, but few have even heard the term. People of all races and ethnic groups can have this type of hair, but African-Americans are particularly susceptible to low porosity. This type of hair requires special care to maintain moisture and health.
We often get asked this and yes, frizzy hair is usually a sign of high porosity.
Additionally, your hair's natural oils struggle to travel from the roots to the ends due to the tightly packed cuticles. As a result, low porosity hair tends to be: Dry and/or frizzy, especially at the ends.
While certain hair types, such as tightly coiled hair commonly found in Black and African American hair, may be more prone to low porosity, individuals of any race or ethnicity can have low porosity hair.
There is no such thing as a rare hair porosity. Hair porosity is a measure of how easily hair can absorb and retain moisture, and it can vary from low to high. All three types of hair porosity (low, medium, and high) are common and can occur in individuals of any ethnicity and hair type.
Asian hair follicles are round, usually very straight, and strong. While not as dense as its counterparts, the hair is less likely to experience hair loss or breakage. Asian hair is also the fastest growing, at over half an inch per month.
Grade 1 Porosity: Virgin hair that has been exposed to little or no environmental damage. This is very hard to find, and it's more common in straight hair. The cuticles on this hair type are extremely tight, and they don't allow moisture in or out.
Low Porosity Hair:
- Common signs: Products may sit on the hair's surface, taking longer to absorb. Hair may feel weighed down or greasy if over-washed. - Wash Frequency: Low porosity hair typically requires less frequent washing, approximately every 1-2 weeks or as needed.
Avoid Heavy Products and Buildup 🧴
Heavy creams, thick oils, and butters are the enemies of low porosity hair. These products tend to sit on the surface of your hair and cause buildup, making it harder for moisture to get through.
Cold water is often suggested to close cuticles. However, hair with low porosity benefits more from warm water.
Dove Celebrity Stylist Mark Townsend says, “A deep conditioning treatment, like a hair mask, is the best way to moisturize low porosity hair. Apply a mask, like Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Spa Recovery Mask, to wet hair and cover with a shower cap for 15 minutes once a week before rinsing out.”
It can be more vulnerable to certain scalp problems and tends to be dryer and more prone to breakage, whereas Asian hair usually has higher porosity levels, absorbing and retaining moisture more quickly.
This can lead to hair that is dry, damaged, and has a tendency to tangle easily. When you have high porosity hair, there is an imbalance. Your hair is porous enough to let the moisture out but not porous enough to let the moisture in.
However, certain oils can actually exacerbate low porosity issues. Many oils, such as coconut oil, castor oil, and olive oil, are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water. When applied to low porosity hair, these oils can coat the cuticles, forming a barrier that prevents water molecules from entering the hair shaft.
As a result, low porosity curly hair tends to remain dry and frizzy, leading to tangles, breakage, and difficulty in styling. However, with the right knowledge and products, managing low porosity curly hair can become easier and lead to beautiful, defined curls.
Low: Those with low hair porosity have hair that often appears healthy, but it might also lack vibrancy and fullness and struggle to absorb products, moisture, and even hair color. Caucasian and those with straight fine or thick hair types tend to be on the lower end of the hair porosity spectrum.
But low porosity hair types benefit most from LIGHT leave-ins, like Olaplex's vegan creme. Its bond-building technology strengthens and hydrates all hair types.
High Porosity Hair
This is because the hair cuticle is open, making it susceptible to frizz and breakage. As a result, you should also be cautious to not overexpose your hair to sun or chlorine as it can severely damage the hair follicles.
Highly porous hair typically dries quickly, is prone to frizz, and can tend towards feeling dry.