High porosity hair is characterized by a hair cuticle layer that is lifted or damaged, resulting in gaps or pores on the hair surface. This open cuticle structure allows moisture, oils, and hair products to be absorbed very quickly but also causes the hair to lose moisture just as fast, making it difficult for the hair to retain hydration
Key Characteristics of High Porosity Hair:
- The cuticle layer is raised or has gaps, allowing easy moisture penetration but poor moisture retention.
- Hair absorbs water and products quickly but dries out fast, often feeling dry and brittle.
- Prone to frizz, tangling, breakage, and split ends.
- Hair tends to look dull and lacks shine.
- Dries very quickly after washing.
- Chemical treatments and heat styling can worsen porosity by causing damage to the cuticle and internal hair structure
Causes:
- Genetics (commonly seen in curly or frizz-prone hair types).
- Damage from excessive heat styling, chemical processing (bleaching, coloring, relaxing), UV exposure, and environmental factors
How It Affects Hair Health:
High porosity hair behaves like a sponge: it soaks up moisture rapidly but cannot hold it, leading to dryness and fragility. The raised cuticles allow moisture to escape easily, causing the hair to become weak, brittle, and prone to breakage
Summary:
High porosity hair means hair strands have a very open and damaged cuticle layer that allows quick absorption but poor retention of moisture, resulting in dry, frizzy, and fragile hair that requires special care to maintain hydration and strength
