Hair Porosity Test and Care Routine Generator

How This Tool Works

This generator tests your hair porosity through questions about how your hair behaves or through the float test method. Based on your porosity level (low, medium, or high), it generates personalized product recommendations and care routine frequency. The tool considers that different porosity levels need different products and treatment schedules for optimal hair health.

The generator uses established hair science about porosity: low porosity hair needs lightweight products and heat to penetrate, medium porosity is balanced, and high porosity needs heavier products and protein to strengthen. It provides specific recommendations for product types, treatment frequency, and care techniques tailored to your porosity level.

Understanding Hair Porosity

• Low Porosity: Tightly closed cuticles, resists moisture, products sit on hair, needs heat to penetrate
• Medium Porosity: Moderately open cuticles, holds moisture well, balanced needs
• High Porosity: Very open cuticles, absorbs moisture quickly but loses it easily, needs sealing
• Test Method: Float test (hair in water) or observe behavior (how hair absorbs products)
• Can Change: Chemical treatments, heat damage, and age can increase porosity

Porosity-Based Care Tips

• Low porosity: Use lightweight, water-based products with heat application
• Medium porosity: Balanced approach, moderate products work well
• High porosity: Use heavier products, protein treatments, and sealants
• Test porosity periodically as it can change with treatments and damage
• Adjust products based on how your hair responds
• Consider porosity when choosing hair dyes and treatments
• Protect hair from damage that increases porosity

FAQ

• What is hair porosity?
  Hair porosity refers to your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. It is determined by how open or closed the hair cuticle is. Low porosity hair has tightly closed cuticles and resists moisture. Medium porosity has moderately open cuticles and holds moisture well. High porosity has very open cuticles and absorbs moisture quickly but loses it easily. Understanding your porosity helps you choose the right products and care routine.
• How do I test my hair porosity?
  Test porosity using the float test: take a clean strand of hair, place it in a glass of water, wait 2-4 minutes. Low porosity hair floats (cuticles are closed, water cannot enter). Medium porosity hair floats then slowly sinks. High porosity hair sinks quickly (cuticles are open, water enters easily). You can also observe how your hair behaves: low porosity resists products, high porosity absorbs quickly but dries out fast.
• What products work best for low porosity hair?
  Low porosity hair needs: lightweight, water-based products (avoid heavy oils and butters), heat to help products penetrate (use heat cap or steamer), protein-free or light protein products, clarifying shampoos to remove buildup, and products with smaller molecules. Avoid heavy oils and butters that sit on the hair. The generator provides specific product recommendations based on your porosity.
• What products work best for high porosity hair?
  High porosity hair needs: heavier, oil-based products to seal in moisture, protein treatments to strengthen hair, leave-in conditioners and sealants, deep conditioning treatments, and products that help close the cuticle. High porosity hair absorbs products quickly but also loses moisture easily, so sealing is important. The generator recommends products and frequency based on your porosity level.
• Can hair porosity change?
  Hair porosity can change due to: chemical treatments (bleaching, relaxing increases porosity), heat damage (increases porosity), age (hair may become more porous over time), and environmental factors. However, your natural porosity is largely genetic. Damaged hair often becomes high porosity. The test helps you understand your current porosity level and adjust care accordingly.
• How often should I do hair treatments based on porosity?
  Treatment frequency varies by porosity: Low porosity - deep condition with heat 1-2 times per month, protein treatments rarely or never. Medium porosity - deep condition 2-3 times per month, light protein as needed. High porosity - deep condition weekly or bi-weekly, protein treatments every 2-4 weeks. The generator provides personalized frequency recommendations based on your porosity level.