Porous hair is one of the most common challenges professionals face in salons, especially in clients who frequently undergo chemical processes such as bleaching, coloring, straightening, and excessive heat styling. Porous hair struggles to retain moisture, absorbs products unevenly, and often appears dull and rough.

In this article, you will learn:

• What hair porosity is
• Signs that hair is porous
• How to perform a professional diagnosis
• How to treat porosity effectively
• Professional protocols to restore hair health

What Is Hair Porosity?

Porosity refers to the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture.
When the cuticle — the hair’s outer layer — is raised, damaged, or irregular, the strand loses its natural barrier, becoming:

• dry
• rough
• fragile
• prone to breakage
• frizzy
• unable to retain treatments

Porous hair tends to break easily and lacks shine.

Main Causes of Hair Porosity

• Frequent bleaching and coloring
• Misapplied chemical treatments
• Excessive heat tools
• Lack of nutrition and lipids
• Sun exposure
• Insufficient reconstructive treatments
• Using unsuitable products

How to Identify Porous Hair (Professional Diagnosis)

A stylist can assess porosity through:

✔ Touch

Dry, rough texture with a tangled feel.

✔ Appearance

Split ends, frizz, lack of shine, irregular surface.

✔ Elasticity Test

Hair stretches and breaks easily.

✔ Absorption Behavior

Porous hair absorbs product quickly but cannot hold moisture.

✔ Resistance Test

Strands break with minimal tension.

Correct diagnosis is crucial for choosing the right treatment.

How to Treat Porous Hair Professionally

Effective recovery requires a combination of hydration, nutrition, lipid replenishment, and reconstruction.

1. Nutrition + Lipid Replenishment

Restores essential oils, softness, and shine.
Ingredients like ojon, argan, coconut, and olive oils are excellent.

2. Reconstruction

Strengthens the fiber and restores lost mass.
Amino acids, keratin, and plant proteins are key.

3. Acidifying Treatments

Balance pH, seal the cuticle, and reduce porosity.
Ideal after chemical services.

4. Professional Nutritive Treatments

Nutritive masks, serums, and leave-ins reduce frizz and reinforce the fiber.

5. Preventing Further Damage

• Reduce heat styling
• Allow time between chemical processes
• Use thermal protectants

Recommended Professional Protocols

Protocol 1 — Deep Nutrition 

Ideal for extremely dry, porous hair.
Result: mirror-like shine, softness, and sealed cuticles.

Protocol 2 — Intensive Reconstruction

For chemically damaged hair with structural loss.
Restores strength and resistance.

Protocol 3 — Professional Acidification

Balances pH and reduces porosity after bleaching or straightening.

Conclusion

Porous hair can be fully restored with proper diagnosis and consistent professional treatments. When treated correctly, the hair regains:

✔ Shine
✔ Softness
✔ Strength
✔ Elasticity
✔ Alignment

Professional-grade products and an appropriate hair care routine are essential for long-term recovery.