Healthy hair isn’t just about using the most expensive and best products – it’s about understanding what your hair truly needs to look and feel its best. Imagine running your fingers through soft, shiny strands that feel resilient and full of life.
What does healthy hair look like?
According to Rodney D Sinclair, the scientist, shiny hair with a smooth texture and clean-cut ends is generally perceived to be healthy. It should have this natural shine and glow, also feel soft to the touch, and be elastic enough to stretch slightly without breaking. Furthermore, it is important to trim hair regularly to get rid of split ends and moisturize it deeply to resist hair breakage.
How to tell if your hair is healthy?
To determine if your hair is healthy, you can use these key signs to assess its condition. Key factors of healthy hair: shine, softness and smoothness, minimal split ends, elasticity, and moisture balance.
You can do a few tests to determine your hair state.
- Stand in natural light or under a bright light to see if your hair has this natural healthy shine. Healthy hair reflects light. This shine is not from greasiness but from a smooth, sealed cuticle layer (You should not use an excess amount of oil or hair gloss to reach glowing hair!)
- To test the softness and smoothness of your hair simply run your fingers through a section of your hair. Use your sense of feeling. If you feel soft and free of knots or roughness hair, it is most probably moisturized enough and the cuticle layer is intact.
- Look at the ends of your hair after brushing. Healthy hair has minimal split ends and it should not leave excessive breakage behind.
- Gently stretch a single strand of hair, then release it. If it returns to its original length without breaking, it means your hair has good elasticity and hydration. If it snaps while overly stretchy, your hair may need more protein.
- Check if your hair feels oily, dry, or balanced at different times of the day. If it is greasy or weighed down, even too dry, you need better moisture balance.
That is only a few main tests you can do. If your hair meets most of these criteria, it is likely in good shape.
If you want to create a hair care routine, that would suit you the best to maintain healthy hair, it is important to know your hair porosity. It is a very simple thing that changes everything. I heard about this only a few years ago. Now I pick all my hair products according to my hair porosity. Before knowing this, I had tried many good and viral products, but they were either too light or too heavy for my hair. Now I know exactly what my hair needs.
What is hair porosity?
Hair porosity refers to the hair’s ability to absorb and hold moisture. It’s largely determined by the condition of the hair’s cuticle layer, which is the outermost layer made up of overlapping scales.
Hair porosity is an important factor in understanding how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture. It affects how your hair looks, feels, and responds to products. Knowing your hair’s porosity can help you tailor your haircare routine more effectively.
What are the types of hair porosity?
There are three main levels of hair porosity: low, medium (or normal), and high.
- Low Porosity Hair
The cuticles are tightly packed, making it harder for moisture to penetrate the hair.
Hair is resistant to absorbing water and products.
Hair takes longer to get wet and dries slowly.
Products can build up easily, and hair may feel stiff.
- Medium Porosity Hair
The cuticles are slightly raised.
The “ideal” porosity level.
Hair absorbs moisture well.
Hairstyles hold nicely.
Low-maintenance hair.
- High porosity Hair
The cuticles are widely spaced or damaged.
Moisture enters easily but escapes quickly as well.
Hair absorbs water quickly but also dries very fast.
Hair is prone to frizz, tangles easily, and appears rough or dry.
It can be genetic but often caused by heat, chemical treatments, or environmental damage.
How to know your hair porosity?
It is very easy to check your hair porosity type. You just need to perform the quick water test. Take a clean strand of dry hair and place it in a glass of room-temperature water. Observe the hair strand after a few minutes.
If it floats on the top – you have low-porosity hair.
If it hovers in the middle – medium porosity.
If it sinks quickly – high porosity.
Hair porosity meaning
Understanding your hair’s porosity level can save you time and money by helping you select the right products and avoid those that won’t work. Plus, with the right approach to porosity, you can improve your hair’s moisture retention, leading to healthier, more manageable hair.
How to take care of different hair porosity types?
- Low Porosity
- Use lightweight, water-based products that can penetrate the hair more easily.
- Wash it with warm water. It helps to open the cuticles, allowing moisture to go in.
- Avoid heavy butters or oils! These would sit only on the surface of hair and make it feel greasy or weighed down.
- Do not use protein-based products that often.
- Medium (Normal) Porosity
- Use a balanced routine of lightweight moisturizers daily and occasional deep conditioning.
- Experiment with different products since your hair may respond well to variety.
- To maintain your hair at this level, avoid excessive chemical treatments, and use heat styling only when you need it.
- High Porosity
- Use heavier creams, oil, and leave-in conditioners to seal in moisture.
- Avoid over-washing.
- Do more deep conditioning treatments to help repair and smooth the cuticles.
- Seal hair with natural oils. Argan or jojoba oil would be perfect in this situation.
- Use more proteins in your hair.
References
Sinclair R. D. (2007). Healthy hair: what is it?. The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings, 12(2), 2–5. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jidsymp.5650046
Hessefort, Y., Holland, B. T., & Cloud, R. W. (2008). True porosity measurement of hair: a new way to study hair damage mechanisms. Journal of cosmetic science, 59(4), 303–315.
