What does high porosity in hair often indicate?

High porosity in hair typically indicates that the hair has a greater ability to absorb moisture but may also struggle to retain it. This characteristic is often a sign of over-processing or damage to the hair structure. When hair is over-processed, whether through chemical treatments like coloring, relaxing, or excessive heat styling, the cuticles can lift or become overly spaced apart, leading to increased porosity. As a result, while the hair may soak up products or moisture quickly, it can lose that moisture just as easily, making it feel dry or brittle.

In contrast, well-nourished hair tends to have a balanced porosity, allowing for moisture retention while also maintaining a healthy shine and texture. Recently treated hair may experience high porosity if the treatments were harsh, but not all newly treated hair will have this characteristic. Normal hair typically shows balanced porosity, suggesting that it neither absorbs moisture too quickly nor loses it too easily. Understanding hair porosity is essential for selecting the right products and treatments to maintain hair health.