If your hair seems to soak up moisture but still feel dry, frizz the second you step outside, or take forever to get completely wet, your hair porosity could be part of the reason.

At Studio 104, understanding your hair goes beyond choosing the right shampoo. Hair porosity can help explain how your hair absorbs and retains moisture, and which products and treatments may work best for you.

What Is Hair Porosity?

Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and hold onto moisture. It’s influenced by the condition of the hair’s outermost layer, called the cuticle.

Hair generally falls into three porosity categories:

Low porosity: The cuticle is more tightly packed, making it harder for moisture to penetrate. Products may feel like they sit on top of the hair rather than absorb.

Medium porosity: Hair typically absorbs and retains moisture well, making it relatively easy to manage.

High porosity: The cuticle is more raised or damaged, allowing moisture in quickly, but also allowing it to escape quickly. This can contribute to dryness, tangling, breakage and frizz.

Why Can Hair Become More Porous?

Genetics play a role, but chemical services, frequent heat styling, UV exposure and environmental stress can affect the condition of your cuticle over time.

That’s one reason you may notice your hair behaving differently after a day filled with sun, swimming and heat styling.

What Should You Do About It?

Your hair doesn’t necessarily need more products, it needs the right products.

Understanding your hair’s current condition can help your stylist recommend the right combination of hydration, strengthening treatments, styling products and at-home care without unnecessarily weighing your hair down.

Not sure what your hair is trying to tell you? Ask your Studio 104 stylist at your next Libertyville appointment.Sometimes better hair starts with simply understanding what it needs.