Identifying your hair's porosity can unlock the door to healthier, stronger locks. Photo: Canva

When it comes to caring for your hair, the secret to a successful routine might just lie in understanding one key concept: hair porosity.

Much like how knowing your skin type is essential for skincare, identifying your hair's porosity can unlock the door to healthier, stronger locks.

According to Consultant Dermatologist at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity Dr Nur Ashikin Ahmad, hair porosity is an important factor in determining how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture.

“Understanding hair porosity is similar to understanding your skin type. It helps you determine the best care routine suited to your needs.

“Just like skin that can be oily, dry or normal, hair can vary in its ability to absorb and hold onto moisture and this variability plays a significant role in how hair behaves, looks and responds to products,” she said in an interview with Sinar Daily.

Sunway Medical Centre Velocity’s Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Nur Ashikin Ahmad.

Hair porosity is determined by the outer layer of the hair shaft and its openness. Dr Ashikin likens it to a sponge—some sponges are compact and absorb water slowly, while others soak it up quickly.

“For low porosity hair, the structure is tightly packed, which makes it resistant to absorbing moisture. As a result, products often sit on the surface of the hair before gradually soaking in, leading to product buildup.

“While this type of hair is less prone to breakage, it may appear dull or greasy due to the difficulty in absorbing moisture.

“On the other hand, high porosity hair is like a well-worn sponge, with many holes allowing moisture to be absorbed rapidly, but it also loses that moisture just as quickly. This type of hair is often a result of damage from chemical treatments, excessive styling, or bleaching.

“High porosity hair tends to be dry, frizzy and more susceptible to breakage and thinning, thanks to a compromised outer protective layer,” she added.

Though hair porosity itself does not directly cause hair loss, Dr Ashikin mentioned that it can make the problem more pronounced.

For example, men with ‘Androgenic Alopecia’, which causes thinning and receding hairlines, may find that high porosity makes their hair look worse. Dry, brittle strands are more prone to breaking and falling out.

For women on the other hand, while genetic balding is less common, she pointed out that frequent styling and chemical treatments can lead to increased porosity, resulting in hair damage and breakage.

Hair porosity plays a significant role in how your hair reacts to environmental factors and styling.

However, Hair Transplant Solutions Esadsa Clinic Medical Hair Director, Dr Aly Alias Stephen Nah shared that curly and wavy hair types are naturally more porous, making them more prone to dryness and breakage.

Hair Transplant Solutions Esadsa Clinic Medical Hair Director, Dr Aly Alias Stephen Nah.

“Increased porosity weakens the hair’s structure, leaving it more fragile and vulnerable to damage.

“While the connection between hair porosity and hair loss is not always visibly obvious, there is a general rule of thumb: highly porous hair is typically more prone to thinning and eventual hair loss over time,” he said in an interview with Sinar Daily.

Whether you have low or high porosity hair, maintaining proper hydration is key to keeping your hair healthy.

Dr Ashikin recommended that individuals with low porosity hair should use products that are able to penetrate the hair shaft effectively, while those with high porosity hair should focus on sealing in moisture to prevent it from escaping too quickly.

Both types of hair need gentle, suitable products that do not cause further damage.

The key to an effective hair care routine may lie in understanding a single concept—hair porosity. Photo: Edited via Canva

Meanwhile, Dr Aly emphasised the importance of minimising the use of harsh chemical treatments and styling techniques, which can worsen the porosity of your hair.

By choosing the right products and staying consistent with your hair care routine, you can keep your hair strong, healthy, and vibrant. Most importantly, both doctors agree that understanding your hair's porosity is the first step toward achieving your desired hair health.

Consulting with a professional can help you determine your hair type and the best products to use, allowing you to take charge of your hair’s health in a way that is truly tailored to you.