How can the stylist assess the porosity of a client's hair?

The assessment of hair porosity is essential for understanding how well hair can absorb and retain moisture and products, which significantly influences coloring services. Conducting a water test is a practical and effective method for determining porosity. In this test, the stylist can observe how quickly a strand of hair absorbs water, which provides insight into the cuticle's condition and the hair's ability to hold moisture.

If the hair absorbs water quickly, it indicates higher porosity, suggesting that the cuticles are raised or damaged, allowing for more water to penetrate. Conversely, if the hair takes longer to absorb moisture, it indicates low porosity, meaning the cuticles are more closed and less permeable. This information helps the stylist tailor treatments and coloring techniques to achieve optimal results.

Other methods, such as observing shine, checking elasticity, or measuring thickness, do not provide reliable indicators of porosity. Shine can vary for several reasons unrelated to porosity, elasticity assesses how well hair can stretch and return to its shape, and thickness pertains to the diameter of the hair strand rather than its capacity to absorb moisture. Therefore, the most direct and informative method for assessing porosity is through the water test.