You may have heard the term " hair porosity " and wondered what it means. Essentially, hair porosity is about the hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture.
The porosity of hair affects how well oils and moisture pass in and out the outermost layer of the hair known as the cuticle.
How to test your child's hair porosity?
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Shampoo and rinse the hair, then gently pull out a strand or two BEFORE you add conditioner or hair product.
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Fill a glass three-quarters of the way with water. Jiggle the glass to break the surface tension of the water. Otherwise, the hair strand will just float on top.
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Drop a single strand of hair into the glass to see if it sinks to the bottom or floats on the top.
These products are gentle and safe for the entire family.
Understanding the results
LOW POROSITY
Hair that floats a bit before it sinks is Low Porosity.
Low Porosity does not readily absorb water and products. If you use hair care products, they tend to stay on the surface of your hair rather than being absorbed.
MEDIUM POROSITY
Hair that sinks in the middle of the glass has medium porosity. Medium porosity has a looser cuticle layer, allowing for a steady, but moderate flow of moisture in and out the hair.
HIGH POROSITY
Hair that sinks quickly to the bottom has high porosity. High porosity hair means water, oils, and other types of products can be easily absorbed by the hair.