NewsBite

<p><b>It&rsquo;s the latest beauty buzz word blowing up social media, but is &lsquo;porosity&rsquo; really the key to healthy hair? We asked the experts.</b></p><p><span>Thick, thin, straight, curly, oily, frizzy: they&rsquo;re the obvious labels we bandy around for hair. However, it turns out that the term that matters most is &lsquo;porosity&rsquo;, a word trending online now that&rsquo;s been in the vocab of trichologists and hair stylists for decades.</span></p><p><span>So, what is it? &ldquo;Porosity refers to the ability of hair to soak up and retain moisture,&rdquo; explains Dr Simone Lee, education director at the Australian Institute of Trichology. In a nutshell, the more densely packed the outer cuticle layer of hair (low porosity), the lower the likelihood moisture and nutrients can penetrate. The more open the cuticles (high porosity), the more the hair loses moisture and shine. Medium porosity is the ideal, where moisture can easily enter the follicle, then stay there. Cue: soft strands that make you feel like a walking haircare ad. </span></p>
1/10

It’s the latest beauty buzz word blowing up social media, but is ‘porosity’ really the key to healthy hair? We asked the experts.

Thick, thin, straight, curly, oily, frizzy: they’re the obvious labels we bandy around for hair. However, it turns out that the term that matters most is ‘porosity’, a word trending online now that’s been in the vocab of trichologists and hair stylists for decades.

So, what is it? “Porosity refers to the ability of hair to soak up and retain moisture,” explains Dr Simone Lee, education director at the Australian Institute of Trichology. In a nutshell, the more densely packed the outer cuticle layer of hair (low porosity), the lower the likelihood moisture and nutrients can penetrate. The more open the cuticles (high porosity), the more the hair loses moisture and shine. Medium porosity is the ideal, where moisture can easily enter the follicle, then stay there. Cue: soft strands that make you feel like a walking haircare ad.

<p><span>While baseline porosity tends to be genetic, according to Dr Lee, external stressors like bleaching, heat styling and sun can push it into high territory. &ldquo;Natural porosity can also change over time due to ageing,&rdquo; she adds, as grey hair tends to be more porous.</span></p><p><span>An easy way to tell your type? Drop a strand of your hair into a glass of water. If it floats, it&rsquo;s likely low porosity. If it sinks slowly, it&rsquo;s medium. Highly porous strands sink fast. Still unsure? Ask your hairdresser, because knowing is crucial to understanding what your hair needs, says Robert Bradder, certified IAT Trichologist at Wella Professionals. &ldquo;Then treat your hair and scalp to [the right] nourishing treatment once a week at home.&rdquo;</span></p>
2/10

While baseline porosity tends to be genetic, according to Dr Lee, external stressors like bleaching, heat styling and sun can push it into high territory. “Natural porosity can also change over time due to ageing,” she adds, as grey hair tends to be more porous.

An easy way to tell your type? Drop a strand of your hair into a glass of water. If it floats, it’s likely low porosity. If it sinks slowly, it’s medium. Highly porous strands sink fast. Still unsure? Ask your hairdresser, because knowing is crucial to understanding what your hair needs, says Robert Bradder, certified IAT Trichologist at Wella Professionals. “Then treat your hair and scalp to [the right] nourishing treatment once a week at home.”

<h3><span>If you have&hellip; high-porosity hair</span></h3><p><span>This type of hair can feel dry and break easily, says Dr Lee. It also tends to appear dull, but &ldquo;topical treatments like oils can help&rdquo;. On the upside, notes Sydney-based celebrity stylist, George Giavis, &ldquo;High-porosity hair absorbs product well and styles tend to last longer. Just avoid heat, use a soft towel to gently dry it and always rinse with cold water.&rdquo; Bradder suggests using products with lipid-and protein-based ingredients. &ldquo;If your hair is a brick wall, protein is the bricks and lipids the cement.&rdquo;</span></p>
3/10

If you have… high-porosity hair

This type of hair can feel dry and break easily, says Dr Lee. It also tends to appear dull, but “topical treatments like oils can help”. On the upside, notes Sydney-based celebrity stylist, George Giavis, “High-porosity hair absorbs product well and styles tend to last longer. Just avoid heat, use a soft towel to gently dry it and always rinse with cold water.” Bradder suggests using products with lipid-and protein-based ingredients. “If your hair is a brick wall, protein is the bricks and lipids the cement.”

<h3><span>If you have&hellip; low-porosity hair</span></h3><p><span>Often this type of hair is difficult to style, says Giavis, and getting curls to last is a challenge. &ldquo;Your hair can appear oily and shiny,&rdquo; adds Dr Lee, &ldquo;as oils remain on the surface and are unable to penetrate. Clarifying hair can help open cuticles so lightweight moisturisers can be absorbed into the hair cortex.&rdquo; Bradder tips leaving hair masks on for 10 extra minutes under a hot towel to help absorption. Finally, only use a natural bristle brush, says Giavis. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t go past Mason Pearson for distributing natural oils.&rdquo;</span></p>
6/10

If you have… low-porosity hair

Often this type of hair is difficult to style, says Giavis, and getting curls to last is a challenge. “Your hair can appear oily and shiny,” adds Dr Lee, “as oils remain on the surface and are unable to penetrate. Clarifying hair can help open cuticles so lightweight moisturisers can be absorbed into the hair cortex.” Bradder tips leaving hair masks on for 10 extra minutes under a hot towel to help absorption. Finally, only use a natural bristle brush, says Giavis. “I can’t go past Mason Pearson for distributing natural oils.”

<h3><span>If you have&hellip; medium-porosity hair</span></h3><p><span>If your hair looks in good condition and is easy to style, this is probably you, says Dr Lee. &ldquo;[Use] gentle products and avoid parabens and sulphates, as these can negatively impact hydration.&rdquo; When it comes to styling, Giavis is clear: &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve hit the hair-genetics jackpot, so don&rsquo;t stuff it up with excessive use of heat or chemicals. And don&rsquo;t overdo the product.&rdquo; Finally, a UV protector is always a must, stresses Badder. &ldquo;We cover our bodies with sunscreen, but how often do we protect our strands?&rdquo; </span></p>
9/10

If you have… medium-porosity hair

If your hair looks in good condition and is easy to style, this is probably you, says Dr Lee. “[Use] gentle products and avoid parabens and sulphates, as these can negatively impact hydration.” When it comes to styling, Giavis is clear: “You’ve hit the hair-genetics jackpot, so don’t stuff it up with excessive use of heat or chemicals. And don’t overdo the product.” Finally, a UV protector is always a must, stresses Badder. “We cover our bodies with sunscreen, but how often do we protect our strands?”

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/porosity-is-the-littleknown-secret-to-stronger-hair-heres-why/image-gallery/30f1137fa4bae2b787e2d504a8d059ca