Hair Porosity and Hair Growth: Why Your Hair Grows (or Stalls) Based on Porosity

If your hair feels like it never grows or grows, then snaps, sheds, or dries out the problem usually isn’t your products.

It’s how your hair handles moisture.

Hair growth isn’t just about what happens at the scalp. It’s also about how well your hair retains length once it grows and that’s where hair porosity quietly controls the outcome.

Once you understand the connection between hair porosity and hair growth, everything starts to feel simpler, lighter, and far less frustrating.

What Is Hair Porosity?

Hair porosity refers to how easily your hair absorbs and holds onto water.

Every strand of hair has a cuticle layer. Depending on how tightly or loosely those cuticles sit, moisture either:

• struggles to get in

• flows in and out easily

• or rushes in and escapes too fast

This affects:

• hydration levels

• strength and elasticity

• breakage and shedding

• how “fast” your hair appears to grow

There are three main porosity types: low, medium, and high.

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How Hair Porosity Affects Hair Growth

Your hair is always growing from the scalp. What porosity controls is whether you keep the length you grow.

When porosity and routine don’t match:

• hair becomes dry even with “good” products

• strands weaken and snap

• shedding feels worse than usual

• growth feels slow or invisible

Let’s break it down by porosity type.

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Low Porosity Hair and Hair Growth

Low porosity hair has tightly packed cuticles that resist moisture entry.

What this means for growth

Low porosity hair often grows at a normal rate but:

• moisture struggles to enter the strand

• product buildup forms easily

• hair can feel dry and coated

• breakage occurs from rigidity and protein overload

The result? Hair grows… but length doesn’t accumulate.

Common low porosity growth blockers

• Heavy oils and butters sitting on the surface

• Too much protein

• Skipping water-based hydration

• Product layering without absorption

What low porosity hair needs for growth

• Lightweight, water-first hydration

• Gentle heat or steam to help moisture enter

• Fewer layers, better absorption

• Clarifying when buildup blocks moisture

When low porosity hair finally receives moisture, it softens, bends instead of snapping, and retains length far more easily.

Medium Porosity Hair and Hair Growth

Medium porosity hair has a balanced cuticle structure and is often considered the “ideal” porosity.

What this means for growth

Medium porosity hair:

• absorbs moisture easily

• retains hydration well

• responds predictably to routines

• breaks less when cared for consistently

This porosity type usually sees the most visible, steady hair growth when routines stay balanced.

Common medium porosity growth blockers

• Inconsistent routines

• Overusing strong treatments “just in case”

• Ignoring early dryness or damage

What medium porosity hair needs for growth

• Consistent hydration

• Occasional protein support

• Simple routines that maintain balance

Medium porosity hair thrives on maintenance, not correction.

High Porosity Hair and Hair Growth

High porosity hair has raised or damaged cuticles that absorb moisture fast and lose it just as quickly.

What this means for growth

High porosity hair often feels like it grows slowly, but in reality:

• hair grows normally at the scalp

• moisture escapes rapidly

• strands weaken and snap

• breakage masks true growth

This creates the illusion of “no growth”.

Common high porosity growth blockers

• Skipping sealing steps

• Relying on hydration alone

• Excessive heat or chemical stress

• Not reinforcing the hair structure

What high porosity hair needs for growth

• Moisture paired with sealing

• Strengthening ingredients that reinforce the strand

• Protective styling

• Gentle handling and friction control

When moisture is sealed in, high porosity hair can retain length beautifully.

Why Hair Growth Advice Often Fails

Most hair growth advice treats hair like it’s the same for everyone.

It’s not.

• Oils don’t grow hair if your hair can’t absorb moisture

• Masks don’t help if they’re sitting on the surface

• “Growth serums” can’t fix moisture imbalance

Hair porosity decides what actually works.

Once routines match porosity:

• dryness reduces

• breakage slows

• shedding normalises

• growth becomes visible

The Missing Link Between Porosity and Length Retention

Hair growth success comes down to one thing:

Can your hair stay hydrated long enough to stay intact?

Porosity controls:

• how long moisture stays inside the strand

• how flexible hair remains

• how resistant it is to breakage

That’s why porosity-aligned routines lead to longer, healthier hair without adding more products or steps.

Discover Your Porosity, Discover Your Growth Rhythm

If you’ve tried “everything” and nothing sticks, you’re not failing your routine just isn’t matched to your hair.

Understanding your porosity is the fastest way to:

• stop fighting your hair

• simplify your routine

• support real, sustainable growth

Discover your hair porosity and build a routine that actually supports growth. Because hair growth shouldn’t feel confusing it should feel aligned.