Monday Porosity Check: Learn How Your Hair Takes In Moisture
Ever notice a leave-in that works great for your sister or your friend just sits on top of your hair? A lot of the time, the reason is porosity. Porosity is a simple way to describe how easily your hair takes in water and holds on to it. Once you have a feel for yours, picking products and building a moisture routine gets a lot easier.
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A simple way to check at home
The best test is watching your hair on wash day:
- Takes a while to get wet, water beads up, takes a long time to dry, and products seem to sit on top? That usually points to lower porosity.
- Gets wet fast, soaks up product, but dries fast and feels dry again soon after? That usually points to higher porosity.
- Somewhere in the middle? Your hair may take in and hold moisture pretty easily.
Some people also drop a clean strand into a glass of water to see if it floats or sinks. Treat that as a rough guide, not a final answer. Product on the hair can change the result, and different parts of your head can act differently.
If your hair leans low porosity
- Use lighter products and smaller amounts so they don't sit on top.
- Apply your leave-in to damp, warm hair right after washing, when it takes product best. A light option like Cantu Batana Leave-In is a good place to start.
- A little gentle warmth, like a warm towel or sitting under a hooded dryer while you deep condition, can help.
- Clarify when you notice buildup so new moisture can get in.
If your hair leans high porosity
- Layer your moisture: water or a leave-in first, then something to seal it in.
- A creamy leave-in like SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Leave-In gives your hair more to hold on to.
- Seal your ends with an oil. Camille Rose Batana Oil or a heavier option like Africare Black Castor Oil are both popular. A few drops goes a long way.
- Go easy on heat and be gentle when you detangle, since this hair can snap more easily.
Detangle with care either way
Whatever your porosity, detangle with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers, starting at the ends and working up. A slip-friendly product like SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Extra-Moisture Detangler helps, and it's a good one for kids' wash days too.
For the kids
Kids' hair follows the same idea. Watch how their hair takes water, keep products light and gentle, and don't pile on more than their hair can use. Make wash day calm and keep tension low.
Find leave-ins, oils, and detanglers for the whole family in Hair Care.
FAQ
What is hair porosity?
Porosity is a simple way to describe how easily your hair takes in water and holds on to it. Some hair soaks water up fast and dries fast. Some hair lets water bead up on top and takes a long time to get wet or dry.
Is the float test accurate?
It's a rough guide, not a lab test. Product on your hair can change the result. Pay more attention to how your hair acts on wash day: how fast it gets wet, how fast it dries, and how products sit on it.
Can my porosity change?
Yes. Heat, color, chemical treatments, and everyday wear can change how your hair takes in moisture over time, and different parts of your head can act differently.
Do kids need a porosity routine?
Kids can use the same basic idea. Watch how their hair takes water, keep products light and gentle, and don't overload their hair.
Questions? Email info@leadblacks.com or call or text (470) 646-9473.
