Medium porosity hair is a hair type with properties that place it between low and high porosity hair. Understanding your hair’s porosity is crucial for maintaining its health and appearance.
Did you know that approximately 30% of people have medium porosity hair?
This characteristic makes it vital to adopt appropriate hair care routines.
Discover the best tips and practices to keep your medium porosity hair looking its best in this article.
What Is Medium Porosity Hair?
Hair porosity refers to the hair’s ability to absorb and keep moisture.
Medium porosity hair is a hair type that falls in the middle of the porosity spectrum. This hair type has cuticles that are less bound than low-porosity hair but more bound than high-porosity hair.
The cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair shaft. It is responsible for protecting the hair strand.
Why Do You Have Medium Porosity Hair?
If you have medium porosity hair, it means that your hair can absorb and keep moisture well. This is due to a variety of factors:
- Genetics
- Balanced hair care practices
- Minimal environmental damage
- Healthy lifestyle
Genetics
If you have medium porosity hair, it’s likely that your family members have similar hair porosity.
Genetics does not have the final word in determining your hair porosity. Do not rely upon this when determining your hair porosity.
Balanced Hair Care Practices
One of the main causes behind medium porosity hair is having balanced hair care practices.
This means that you should use hair products that are appropriate for your hair type. You should also wash your hair on a regular basis to keep it clean and healthy.
Using too many hair products or not washing your hair enough can cause damage to your hair, which can affect its porosity.
Minimal Environmental Damage
Medium porosity hair can result from minimal environmental damage.
To maintain your hair’s natural porosity, you should protect it from harmful environmental factors like:
- Excessive sunlight exposure
- Harsh chemicals
- High humidity levels
Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle can also contribute to medium porosity hair. This includes:
- A balanced diet
- Enough sleep
- Regular exercise
A healthy lifestyle helps promote hair health, which helps to maintain your hair’s natural porosity.
What Are the Medium Porosity Hair Characteristics?
Here are the main medium porosity hair characteristics:
- Balanced moisture absorption
- Holds styles well
- Requires less maintenance
- Tolerant to chemical processes
- Healthy appearance
- Less prone to frizz
Balanced Moisture Absorption
Medium porosity hair has the ability to absorb and keep moisture, making it less prone to dryness.
It strikes a balance between low and high porosity hair, which means it can hold moisture without becoming too saturated.
Holds Styles Well
Medium porosity hair can hold styles well, making it a popular choice for those who love to experiment with different hairstyles.
It has enough texture to hold a curl or a twist but not so much that it becomes difficult to manage.
Requires Less Maintenance
Medium porosity hair requires less maintenance than high porosity hair.
It is not as prone to breakage or damage. This means you can spend less time and money on hair care products and treatments.
Tolerant to Chemical Processes
Medium porosity hair is more tolerant to chemical processes such as:
- Coloring
- Perming
- Relaxing
It can withstand these processes without becoming too damaged or brittle.
Healthy Appearance
Medium porosity hair has a healthy appearance, with a natural shine and bounce. It is not too oily or too dry. This means it looks and feels healthy.
Less Prone to Frizz
Medium porosity hair is less prone to frizz than high porosity hair.
It has enough moisture to keep the hair shaft smooth and sleek but not so much that it becomes weighed down.
Medium vs. Low vs. High Porosity Hair
There are three types of hair porosity:
- Low
- Medium
- High
Each porosity type has a different structure in terms of cuticle structure. This leads to certain characteristics that differentiate how you should care for your hair porosity type.
| Characteristic | Low Porosity Hair | Medium Porosity Hair | High Porosity Hair |
| Cuticle Structure | Tightly bound and lay flat | Looser cuticles | Highly raised or even chipped cuticles |
| Moisture Resistance | Resistant to moisture | Balanced moisture absorption and retention | Can appear healthy but tends to lack luster due to closed cuticles |
| Maintenance Level | Requires more attention to ensure adequate moisture | Requires less maintenance | Requires frequent moisture replenishing |
| Proneness to Buildup | Prone to product buildup | Not prone to buildup | Absorbs moisture with ease but loses it just as fast |
| Common Hair Condition | Can appear healthy but tends to lack luster due to closed cuticles | Tends to be shiny and healthy, holds styles well | Often appears dry and frizzy, prone to breakage |
How to Test for Medium Porosity Hair?
Here are the tests you can apply to determine your hair porosity:
- Floating test
- Shower test
- Slide test
Floating Test
The float test is a simple and effective way to determine your hair porosity:
- Take a glass of water and a strand of hair.
- Cut a strand of hair and place it in a glass of water.
- If your hair floats, you have low porosity hair.
- If it sinks, you have high porosity hair.
- If it floats in the middle, you have medium porosity hair
Shower Test
Another way to test for medium porosity hair is the shower test:
- Wet your hair and observe how it reacts.
- If it takes a while to get wet, you have low-porosity hair.
- If it gets wet fast, you have high porosity hair.
- If it gets wet at a moderate pace, you have medium porosity hair
Slide Test
The slide test is another effective way to test for medium porosity hair:
- Take a strand of hair and slide your fingers up the hair shaft towards the scalp.
- If your fingers slide with ease, you have low-porosity hair.
- If your fingers catch or feel rough, you have high porosity hair.
- If your fingers slide with a bit of resistance, you have medium porosity hair
How To Care for Medium Porosity Hair?
If you have medium porosity hair, you’re in luck because it is one of the easiest types to maintain. Still, this type of hair needs some special care practices:
- Use a gentle shampoo
- Have a monthly hair purification
- Deep condition your hair weekly
- Avoid harsh chemicals
- Massage your scalp
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Use sealing oils
- Avoid high heat
- Use protective styling
1. Use a Gentle Shampoo
Use a sulfate-free shampoo that does not strip your hair of its natural oils. Look for shampoos designed for medium porosity hair. Rinse your hair with care to avoid any product buildup.
2. Have a Monthly Hair Purification
Once a month, use a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup from your hair. This will help to keep your hair healthy and prevent any damage.
3. Deep Condition Your Hair Weekly
Deep conditioning your hair once a week can help to keep it healthy and strong. Look for protein-free conditioners designed for medium porosity hair.
Leave the conditioner on for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it out.
4. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Avoid using harsh chemicals on your hair, such as relaxers or dyes. These chemicals can damage your hair and make it more porous.
5. Massage Your Scalp
Massage your scalp to help to stimulate blood flow and promote hair growth. Use your fingers to massage your scalp for a few minutes each day with care.
6. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and nutrients can help to keep your hair healthy and strong. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods.
7. Use Sealing Oils
Use sealing oils for medium porosity hair, such as coconut oil or argan oil. This helps seal in moisture and prevent your hair from becoming too porous.
8. Avoid High Heat
Avoid using high heat on your hair, such as flat irons or curling irons. These can damage your hair and make it more porous.
9. Use Protective Styling
Using protective styling, such as braids or twists. This can help to protect your hair from damage and prevent it from becoming too porous.
How To Choose Medium Porosity Care Products
Here are some tips to help you choose the right normal porosity hair products:
- Stay away from heavy silicones
- Look for special ingredients in shampoos and conditioners
- Avoid excessive protein
- Opt for lightweight styling products
- Look for heat-protectant properties
Stay Away from Heavy Silicones
Silicones can build up on your hair and weigh it down, making it look dull and lifeless.
Look for products that have “silicone-free” on the label. Products that contain lightweight silicones are also appropriate. They won’t cause buildup.
Look for Special Ingredients in Shampoos and Conditioners
Medium porosity hair needs a balance of moisture and protein to stay healthy.
Look for shampoos and conditioners formulated for medium porosity hair. They contain ingredients like:
- Glycerin
- Panthenol
- Hydrolyzed proteins
These ingredients help maintain the balance of moisture and protein in your hair.
Avoid Excessive Protein
While protein is important for medium porosity hair, it’s important not to overdo it. Too much protein can make your hair brittle and prone to breakage.
Look for products that contain a moderate amount of protein. You can also use a protein treatment once a month to maintain the balance of moisture and protein in your hair.
Opt for Lightweight Styling Products
When it comes to styling your medium porosity hair, it’s best to opt for lightweight products that won’t weigh it down.
Look for products that have “lightweight” on the label. Ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil are also appropriate for normal porosity hair. They are moisturizing but won’t leave your hair feeling heavy.
Look for Heat-Protectant Properties
If you use heat styling tools on your medium porosity hair, it’s important to protect it from damage.
Look for styling products that contain heat-protectant properties. You can also use a separate heat protectant before styling your hair.
Challenges with Medium Porosity Hair
The two most common challenges for those with medium porosity hair are managing buildup and preventing breakage.
Managing Buildup
Product buildup is a common issue for those with medium porosity hair. When you use too much product or not washed out, it can leave a residue on your hair and scalp.
This buildup can cause your hair to:
- Feel heavy
- Look dull
- Prevent moisture from penetrating the hair shaft
To manage buildup, it is important to clarify your hair on a regular basis.
Choose clarifying shampoos designed to remove buildup and leave your hair feeling cleaner and lighter.
You can also use apple cider vinegar as a natural clarifier. Mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar, and use it as a rinse after shampooing.
Preventing Breakage
Medium porosity hair is more prone to breakage due to its elasticity.
When hair is stretched, it should return to its original shape without breaking. If your hair is not strong enough, it may break instead of bouncing back.
To prevent breakage, it is important to keep your hair strong and healthy.
Use products designed for medium porosity hair. They will provide the necessary nutrients to keep your hair healthy.
Avoid heat styling and tight hairstyles that can put stress on your hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hair porosity change over time?
Yes, hair porosity can change over time due to various factors. These factors include heat styling, chemical treatments, and environmental factors. Note that while hair porosity can change, it’s not always easy to reverse the effects of damage.
Is it possible for different sections of my hair to have different levels of porosity?
Yes, it’s possible for different sections of your hair to have different levels of porosity. This can be due to a variety of factors, including genetics, damage, and exposure to environmental factors.
Can hair porosity affect hair coloring or other chemical treatments?
Yes, hair porosity can affect hair coloring and other chemical treatments. Hair with high porosity may absorb color fast, leading to uneven or patchy results. Hair with low porosity may not absorb color evenly. This results in a lighter or faded appearance. Pre-treatment or porosity control product help improve the outcome of chemical treatments.
