WHAT IS "HAIR POROSITY" AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Hair porosity is the key factor in finding products that work for you! To put it simply, hair porosity is your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. This is really important because not only will it help you determine what Essentials by Nawal products to order, but it will also help you know how to style, deep condition, moisturize, and take care of your hair. Hair porosity is divided into 3 categories: Low, Medium (normal), and High.
Low porosity hair have cuticles that are smooth and tight, preventing water and product to absorb. Hair with this porosity require light oils and water-based products. Medium, aka normal, porosity have cuticles that are slightly raised. Hair with this porosity require the least maintenance and is the easiest to manage. High porosity hair have cuticles that are very raised and porous, allowing water and product to be absorbed, but leave just as quickly. This hair porosity may have history of damage and will need extra care and love.
HOW TO DO THE HAIR POROSITY FLOAT TEST
Step 1) Wash your hair
Step 2) Do NOT condition your hair
Step 3) Do NOT towel dry, let air dry.
Step 4) Put clean strand with NO PRODUCT in a clean glass of water
Step 5) Do NOT touch the strand, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes
If the hair strand floats it is low porosity. If it immediately sinks or sinks before 10 minutes it is high porosity. If it is in the middle it is medium porosity.
Follow these exact steps to get the most accurate results. After doing this scroll to the texture chart and also check out our PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION tab!
HAIR TEXTURE CHART
Credit: Andre Walker