What is Hair Porosity & How it Works?

I have heard many hairstylists, salon owners and influencers talk about hair porosity, but knowing the science of hair, some of the things I hear make me shake my head. I’d like to simplify for you what porosity means and why your hair porosity is an important consideration when you choose hair care products. 

Hair porosity refers to the ability of the hair to take in water and hold it. What is the difference between high and low porosity hair? If the hair is easy to get wet and hard to get dry, you have highly porous hair. If the hair is hard to get wet and easy to get dry, you have low porosity hair. 

What is better - high or low porosity?

You want your hair to be moderately porous because that will allow it to retain moisture without retaining excessive amounts of water or grabbing on to chemicals or color too quickly.  

 If the hair has low porosity, it takes a long time to absorb moisture or natural oils. Products just sit on the surface without being absorbed, which leads to build up, and the hair will lack volume and elasticity.  Products with chemicals are the number one reason for the hair to have low porosity.

 Be mindful of the products you use. To help achieve a balanced  healthy level of porosity, select products that do not have ingredients with sulfates, petrochemicals and silicones.

These are some of the ingredients you do not want to have in your hair products

Behenoxy Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Benzene, Butanal, Petrolatum, Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium C14 Olefin Sulfonate, TEA- Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, TEA- Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamide MEA, Toluene Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Magnesium Sulfate, olefin Sulfonate