We all want luscious locks, but have you noticed that your hair doesn’t absorb moisture as well as it should? This likely means that your hair has low porosity. Porosity deals with the hair’s cuticle and describes your hair’s ability to absorb and sustain moisture. Porosity types include low, normal, and high.

What Is Low Porosity Hair?

Low porosity hair is structured so that moisture cannot effectively penetrate the hair shaft. This hair type contains too much keratin, or protein, and lacks sufficient moisture. Hydrating, even with water in the shower, is difficult.

The hair shaft is comprised of three different layers, with the cuticle residing on the outside. Each individual cuticle overlaps the other like scales on a fish. On low porosity hair, the cuticles are too close together, preventing moisture like conditioners and other elements, like oil, from penetrating.

It may seem like heat styling can cause low porosity hair, but genetics is the greatest factor. Actually, heat raises the cuticles and can cause high porosity hair. This information means that heat can be used as a treatment for this hair type and answer the question of how to grow low porosity hair.

Low Porosity Hair Characteristics

Hair that is no longer lustrous nor elastic can indicate that you have low porosity hair. Because of those crammed cuticles, a lack of absorption is apparent. You’ll notice that when you apply products like oils to the hair, they don’t seem to go anywhere.

In the shower, properly saturating hair is a challenge, while air drying and blow-drying seem to take ages. Unsurprisingly, you’ll also be dealing with hair that feels consistently dry and products that you’ve applied hang out on the surface.

How To Determine Your Hair Porosity

So, what are the differences between high and low porosity hair? The best way to determine your hair porosity is the sink or float test. Fill a deep bowl or water glass with room temperature water and take a few fallen strands of hair and place them on the surface.