Just last week, I grabbed coffee with a dear friend of mine, and somewhere along the way, she mentioned a new hair product she was trying out, telling me how disappointed she was. Apparently, she had seen her favorite TikToker rave about it, so she decided to try it as well. It ended up doing nothing for her hair, wasting both her time and money.

I asked a few questions in hopes of understanding what went wrong, and there it was – a sneaky mistake we’ve all made at one point or another. The girl in the TikTok had shiny, smooth hair, while my friend’s hair is a bit frizzy and dry.

She thought that by using the same products, she would achieve the same silky hair, but that didn’t happen. Why? Because it’s about hair porosity, not the product itself.

I know all of this can be confusing and overwhelming, which is why I decided to write this article. Let’s explore the different hair porosity types, learn how to tell them apart, and, most importantly, build the perfect routine for you.

What Is Hair Porosity?

Hair porosity refers to how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture, and it’s determined by the condition of your hair cuticle. 

There are three main types of hair porosity:

• Low porosity: The hair’s cuticles are tightly sealed, which makes the hair look healthy and silky, but causes slower absorption of ingredients.
• Medium porosity: The hair’s cuticles are slightly open, allowing the moisture to enter and stay balanced, making this hair type the easiest one to manage.
• High porosity: The cuticles are lifted and damaged, causing the hair to become dry, frizzy, and prone to breakage.

Test Your Hair Porosity

Now that you understand hair porosity, you can do a simple test at home to figure out which one your hair falls under. Just take a clean strand of hair (free of any product) and place it in a glass or bowl of water. 

Watch what happens after a minute or two:

• The strand floats on top – low porosity
• The strand sinks slowly – medium porosity
• The strand sinks quickly – high porosity

The Ideal Hair Care Routine for Your Hair Type

Let’s ensure your hair products are actually worth their money, and tailored specifically for your porosity type. These are just suggestions based on my experience in the hair industry, so consider them, but be prepared to try out several different ones before you find the perfect product.

Low Porosity Hair Routine

Because the low porosity hair struggles to absorb product’s ingredients, the main goal is to help penetrate the strand (without weighing it down).

• Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to avoid stripping the hair. 
• Focus on light, water-based conditioners, and wash your hair with warmer (not hot!) water to help the cuticles open. 
• Consider heat-assisted deep conditioning, a technique that helps your low porosity hair absorb moisture. Steam caps or hooded steamers, as well as warm towels wrapped around hair after applying a deep conditioner for 10-20 minutes, provide gentle, even heat.
• Opt for lightweight leave-ins that won’t make your hair look weighed down or greasy.

Medium Porosity Hair Routine

This is the easiest hair type to manage; you just need to find and maintain balance.

• Gentle shampoos work just fine; wash whenever you need to.
• Luckily for you, any conditioner will do just fine as long as you use it after each wash.
• When it comes to deep conditioning, rotate between protein masks and moisture-based ones.
• Light oils, especially those that come in a spray bottle will seal the cuticle and make your hair look shiny.

Note: Always pay attention to your hair’s current state and adjust as needed.

High Porosity Hair Routine

High porosity hair is the most challenging one to manage, but don’t worry – with some time and the right routine, you can still have the healthy and smooth hair of your dreams. Your routine should focus on hydration and strengthening:

• Use hydrating shampoos to combat dryness – avoid any harsh sulfates that strip your hair of natural oils.
• Use rich, creamy conditioners and hair masks. While most of them claim 3-5 minutes is enough for it to penetrate the hair, I suggest waiting 10-15 minutes whenever possible.
• Consider protein masks every 1-2 weeks or bond repair treatments to strengthen the hair and seal the cuticle.
• Never skip a rich leave-in product and seal the cuticle with argan, rosemary or castor oil.

Final Thoughts

With the right hair care, you can finally take a step closer to the healthy, luscious hair you’ve always wanted. Let this article be your sign to stop guessing and start a routine that truly works for you. 

Whether you have low, medium, or high porosity hair, the right approach can be a game changer. The sooner you learn how to properly nourish your hair, the sooner you’ll have a healthy foundation for any haircut or hair color you want to try next. That’s when you can truly think about future plans and ask yourself, “What color should I dye my hair?”

Whether you want to grow out your hair, experiment with rose gold hair color, red-violet hair colors, or try something completely different, a good hair care routine and a skilled salon will help you get there.

Swing by Hello Gorgeous Salon and treat yourself to the best service in Naples. If it’s easier, then simply give us a call at 239-261-3131 or book your appointment here.

We look forward to seeing you!