What does the term "porosity" refer to in hair care?

Porosity in hair care specifically refers to the hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. This characteristic is crucial for determining how well hair can hold onto hydration and products, which significantly impacts its health, appearance, and manageability.

Hair with high porosity absorbs moisture quickly but may struggle to retain it, while low porosity hair is more resistant to moisture absorption and can also retain moisture well once it is absorbed. Understanding porosity helps cosmetologists select the appropriate products and treatments to maintain optimal hair health, as different levels of porosity require different approaches to moisture management.

In contrast, thickness refers to the diameter of individual hair strands, color and tint relate to the hues of the hair, and strength is associated with the resilience of hair against breakage. These factors can influence hair texture and appearance but do not pertain to the concept of porosity.