How do you test for porosity in hair?

Testing for porosity in hair involves determining how well the hair can absorb and retain moisture. When hair has high porosity, it typically means that the cuticles are lifted or damaged, allowing moisture to pass in and out easily. This often results in hair that feels dry, brittle, and easily absorbs products but struggles to retain them.

By assessing whether the hair is overly dry and capable of absorbing moisture, you can gauge its porosity level effectively. If the hair quickly absorbs water during a porosity test, it indicates high porosity, while hair that does not absorb moisture suggests low porosity.

The other methods mentioned—checking for split ends, evaluating the hair's ability to curl, and examining scalp condition—do not provide direct insights into the hair's porosity levels. Split ends may indicate damage but not necessarily relate to moisture absorption characteristics. Curling capability mostly pertains to the hair's elasticity and health rather than porosity. Lastly, scalp condition primarily addresses skin health rather than the moisture-retaining qualities of the hair itself. Thus, observing how the hair absorbs moisture remains the most reliable method for testing porosity.