Why doesn't your hair look as healthy as you want it to? Are you finding that despite using quality products, you're not getting the results you want?
Hair is made up of a complex structure that includes the cuticle, medulla, and cortex. An important factor that affects the health of your hair is porosityThis property determines how well the hair absorbs and retains moisture and nutrients.
Hair porosity is the ability of hair fibers to absorb and retain moisture and nutrients. This property affects how effective the products you use to care for your hair will be. Porosity is directly related to the condition of the cuticle – the outer layer of your hair.
Depending on the level of porosity, hair is divided into three categories:
Low porosity: The cuticle is tightly closed, making it difficult for moisture and nutrients to be absorbed.
Medium porosity: The cuticle is just open, allowing for a balanced flow of moisture.
High porosity: The cuticle is damaged, which means that the hair absorbs moisture quickly, but also loses it quickly.
How do you perform the glass of water test?
This test is extremely simple and only requires a few minutes of your time.
Select 2-3 strands of hair. It is best to use hair that has been freshly washed and free of product residue, as this can affect the results. Fill a glass with room temperature water. Place the strands of hair in the glass of water and leave them for a few minutes. Check to see if the hair floats on the surface, floats in the middle, or sinks to the bottom.
@paulmitchell Make sure to test on clean hair for accurate results ✨ #hairporositytest #hairtok #PaulMitchell
Interpreting hair porosity test results
1. Hair floats on top of the water
If it stays on the surface of the water, it means it has low porosity. The cuticle is tightly closed, making it difficult for moisture to absorb. Low porosity hair often looks healthy, but has trouble absorbing nutrients and moisturizing products.
Recommended care: Focus on hydration, which helps open the cuticle and allow hair to absorb moisture. Use aloe vera, honey, panthenol, agave syrup, moisturizing masks that don't weigh hair down.
Tip: Use products with lighter formulas and apply a warm towel during grooming to help open the cuticle.
2. They float in the middle of the water
If your strands fall somewhere in the middle of the water, you're in luck! Medium porosity hair is the most balanced and easily absorbs moisture and nutrients. This type of hair doesn't usually require special attention, but it's important to nourish it regularly to maintain its health.
Recommended care: Provide your hair with nourishment that will maintain its elasticity and softness. Use coconut oil, castor oil, shea butter, natural nourishing masks, burdock oil.
Tip: Avoid excessive heat shaping to prevent transition to high porosity.
3. They sink to the bottom of the water
If it sinks to the bottom of the glass, it indicates high porosity. The cuticle is severely damaged, meaning the hair absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as quickly. Such hair is often brittle, breakable, and requires special care to restore.
Recommended care: Focus on hair reconstruction and strengthening its structure. Use collagen, keratin, proteins, intensive repair masks.
Tip: Use products without sulfates and alcohol, as these further damage the cuticle.
Proper care is based on understanding your hair's needs. Knowing your hair's porosity allows you to choose products that will work best for it. Hair that receives proper care is shinier, stronger, and less prone to damage.
