Low VS High Porosity Hair: What Is The Difference?

Hair porosity is the ability of your hair to absorb and retain moisture, which is dictated by the cuticles.

When it comes to porosity, both low porosity hair and high porosity hair are frequently mentioned, which are of great importance for you to take care of your hair.

You may have heard of them before, but you don’t know the exact differences between them.

The following blog will explain the differences between low porosity hair and high porosity hair in detail, which can help you better distinguish them.

What’s more, you will also learn how to take care of them, and save money and energy.

1. What is Hair Porosity?

Hair porosity refers to the ability of your hair to absorb and retain products, nutrients, and moisture, which is usually determined by your hair cuticles.

There are three levels of hair porosity: low porosity hair, medium porosity hair, and high porosity hair.

Generally speaking, the hair cuticles are dictated by genetics, which means that the hair porosity can not be changed forever. 

That is to say, if the cuticles are tightly knitted, you have low porosity hair, having a poor ability to absorb and retain moisture.

If the cuticles are loosely knitted, you have high porosity hair, which has a great ability to absorb and retain moisture.

Of course, there is the medium porosity hair between low porosity hair and high porosity hair.

Although the cuticles play a dominant role in hair porosity, some external factors will also influence the porosity of your hair.

For example, if you choose the right hair product, it can help your hair to absorb nutrients and retain moisture.

Besides, applying heat to your hair can make the cuticles open, while applying cold water can make the cuticles shut.

In the following part, this blog will explain these three kinds of hair porosity in detail. If you want to learn more, please scroll down to get more information. 

2. What is Low Porosity Hair?

Low porosity hair refers to the hair having a poor ability to absorb and retain moisture, which is dictated by the tightly knitted cuticles.

That is to say, it is difficult for the water to penetrate the hair shaft.

For example, when showering, the water will bead up on the hair surface.

If you have low porosity hair, it will take you a long time to air dry.

What’s more, the low porosity hair can not quickly absorb the products used on it.

Although the low porosity hair is hard to absorb moisture, it can keep moisture well once it is hydrated.

Because of the tightly bound and flat cuticles, low porosity hair looks shinier, healthier, and stronger than high porosity hair. 

Besides, compared to high porosity hair, it is also less prone to having split ends, without too frequent heat styling.

3. The characteristics of low porosity hair:

(1)It is hard to absorb products.

First of all, if you have low porosity hair, it is hard for the hair to absorb hair products.

For example, if you put some hair products on your hair, it is most likely to sit on the surface of the hair, instead of being quickly absorbed.

(2)It takes a long time to air dry.

Just as it has been mentioned, low porosity hair will take a long time to air dry.

(3)It is hard for the water to penetrate.

Thirdly, it is hard for the water to penetrate low porosity hair.

For example, when you are showering, the water can not easily penetrate your hair, and the water is likely to bead up on the top of your hair.

(4)It looks shiny, healthy, and strong.

Fourthly, low porosity hair looks shiny, smooth, healthy, and strong.

(5)It can keep moisture well once hydrated.

Once it is hydrated, the low porosity hair can keep moisture well.

(6)It is resistant to chemical treatment.

Last but not least, the low porosity hair is resistant to chemical treatment.

4. What is Medium Porosity Hair?

Medium porosity hair refers to the hair that has looser cuticles, which can absorb and retain moisture well.

Generally speaking, the cuticles of medium porosity hair are neither too close nor too open together, making it easy for the hair to absorb moisture and stay hydrated for a long period of time.

If you have medium porosity hair, it doesn’t take a long time for your hair to air dry.
Besides, it is easy for you to restyle or color your hair.

Just like low porosity hair, medium porosity hair also looks shiny, glossy, and healthy.

5. The characteristics of medium porosity hair:

(1)It can absorb and retain moisture well.

Firstly, the medium porosity hair can absorb moisture easily, and keep hydrated for a long period of time.

(2)It doesn’t air dry for a long time.

Compared to low porosity hair, medium porosity hair doesn’t take a long period of time to air dry.

(3)It is to be restyled and colored.

Thirdly, it is easy to restyle or color the medium porosity hair.

(4)It looks shiny, glossy, and healthy.

Just like low porosity hair, the low porosity hair also looks shiny, glossy, and healthy.

6. What is High Porosity Hair?

High porosity hair refers to the hair having a good ability to absorb moisture, which is dictated by the loosely knitted cuticles.

That is to say, it is easy for the water to penetrate the hair shaft.

For example, when showering, it is easy for your hair to be totally hydrated.

However, although it is easy for high porosity hair to absorb moisture, it can not stay hydrated for a long time due to the loosely bound cuticles.

If you have high porosity hair, it is easy for the hair to air dry.

What’s more, the hair can easily absorb the hair products you put on it.

However, the high porosity hair is more prone to being frizzy and dry.

Compared to low porosity hair, it is more likely to breakage, damage, and have split ends.

Sometimes, the high porosity hair will look dull or less shiny.

7. The characteristics of high porosity hair:

(1)It is easy to absorb moisture.

First of all, it is easy for high porosity hair to absorb water and moisture.

(2)It can not keep moisture for a long time.

Just as it has been mentioned before, the high porosity hair can not retain moisture for a long time, because of the loosely knitted cuticles.

(3)It is prone to damage, breakage, and tangles.

Thirdly, the high porosity hair is more prone to damage, breakage, and tangles.

(4)It tends to be frizzy and dry.

Compared to low porosity hair, high porosity hair tends to be frizzy and dry.

(5)It is easy to air dry.

Last but not least, the high porosity hair can air dry quickly.

8. What are the differences between low porosity hair and high porosity hair?

When talking about the differences between low porosity hair and high porosity hair, the essential and primary difference is the cuticle structure, which leads to a series of differences between them.

The following part will explain the differences between them from six main aspects in detail, making a systematic and comprehensive comparison for you.

(1)Cuticle structure.

First and foremost, the cuticle structure between low porosity hair and high porosity hair is different.

Low porosity hair has tightly knitted, smooth, and flat cuticles, while high porosity hair has loosely knitted, and open cuticles.

(2)Appearance.

Secondly, low porosity hair looks shiny, smooth, healthy, and strong, while high porosity hair looks dull, frizzy, and dry.

(3)Moisture absorption and retention.

Thirdly, it is difficult for low porosity hair to absorb and retain moisture.
While the high porosity hair can easily absorb moisture, it can not retain it for a long time.

(4)Product absorption.

Instead of absorbing the hair products quickly, the products are more likely to sit on the hair surface.

On the contrary, high porosity hair can absorb the products quickly.

(5)Reaction to water.

The water can hardly penetrate the hair, and it is more likely to bead up on the hair surface.

However, the high porosity hair can easily get wet.

(6)Drying time.

The low porosity hair tends to take a long time to air dry, while high porosity hair can air dry quickly.

9. How to do the Hair Porosity Test?

Generally speaking, there are three different ways for you to test the hair porosity, including the cuticle test, the spray bottle test, and the float test.

Therefore, you can choose one of them to test your hair porosity, in order to better take care of your hair.

(1)The cuticle test.

①Firstly, you can take a strand of your hair.

②Secondly, you can observe and feel the strands carefully.

③Lastly, if your hair texture is smooth, sleek, and flat, you tend to have low porosity hair.
If your hair texture is rough, coarse, and bumpy, you tend to have high porosity hair.

(2)The spray bottle test.

①Firstly, you can spray some water on a section of your hair.

②Secondly, you can observe the hair surface carefully.

③Lastly, if the water beads up on your hair surface and can not be absorbed, you tend to have low porosity hair.

If your hair can absorb the water quickly and becomes wet, you tend to have high porosity hair.

(3)The float test.

①Firstly, you can prepare a glass of clear water and a strand of your hair.

②Secondly, you can put the strand into the water.

③Lastly, if the strand floats on the water, you tend to have low porosity hair.

On the contrary, if the strand sinks into the water, you tend to have high porosity hair.

10. How to take care of your hair?

Generally speaking, you should take care of your hair based on your hair porosity, choosing the right hair products to help your hair absorb and retain moisture.

The following are two different caring methods for low porosity hair and high porosity hair, which can help you better take care of your hair in the right way.

(1)Low porosity hair:

①Firstly, you can choose lightweight and water-based hair products, which can reduce the buildup on your hair surface.

②Secondly, you’d better apply conditioner to the hair when it is wet, which makes it easier for the hair to absorb.

③Thirdly, you can also use a clarifying shampoo once a week in order to strip the residues from your hair.

(2)High porosity hair:

①First of all, you should choose heavier and richer moisturizing products, locking in hydration.

②Secondly, after washing your hair, you should also rinse your hair with cool water, which can seal the cuticles down and help the hair to retain moisture.

③Thirdly, you can also use serums, oils, or masks to seal the cuticles.

④Lastly, regular trims can reduce hair damage and split ends.

Conclusion:

After reading this blog, you must have a more comprehensive and systematic understanding of hair porosity, which can help you better distinguish the differences between low porosity hair and high porosity hair.

In conclusion, when you take care of your hair, you should take the hair porosity into consideration.

Therefore, you can choose a proper method to maintain your hair according to the hair porosity you have.

It’s my pleasure if this blog can really address your concerns and problems about low porosity hair and high porosity hair.

If you have any questions about human hair wigs, please feel free to leave a comment, and I will respond to you as soon as possible.