How to care for it
What’s my hair porosity?
Hair porosity is how well your hair takes in and holds onto moisture, and it’s decided by how the outer layer (the cuticle) sits. Low porosity hair repels water and product; high porosity soaks it up but loses it fast; medium (normal) porosity is the balanced sweet spot. Knowing yours is the key to picking products that actually absorb — this quick quiz works it out from how your hair behaves.
This is a friendly self-assessment based on how your hair behaves, not a lab test. Porosity can vary along the strand, especially if your ends are coloured or heat-damaged — treat the result as a helpful guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the float test for porosity?
Drop a clean, dry shed strand into a glass of water. If it floats for a while it’s likely low porosity; if it sinks slowly it’s medium; if it sinks quickly it’s high porosity. It’s a rough test — this quiz uses several signs together.
Is high or low porosity better?
Neither is “bad” — they just need different care. Low porosity needs lightweight products and warmth to absorb; high porosity needs richer creams and sealing oils to hold moisture in.
Can I change my hair’s porosity?
Your natural porosity is largely genetic, but colouring, bleaching and heat raise it by damaging the cuticle. Gentle care and bond-building treatments help high-porosity hair behave better.
What raises porosity over time?
Chemical processing (colour, bleach, relaxers), heat styling and rough handling all lift and damage the cuticle, pushing hair toward high porosity — which is why ends are often more porous than roots.
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Adhorika Khan
