As spring transitions into summer in March 2025, understanding your hair porosity becomes even more crucial. With rising humidity levels affecting how our hair behaves, knowing how your strands absorb and retain moisture can transform your seasonal hair care routine.
What is hair porosity and why it matters this season
Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. As Dr. Emily Richards, trichologist at Austin Hair Institute explains, “Hair porosity is perhaps the most overlooked factor in hair care, yet it dramatically influences which products will work for you as seasons change.”
With spring humidity giving way to summer heat, knowing your porosity type helps you adapt your routine. Those beautiful spring styling methods you love might need adjustments based on your unique porosity profile.
Three simple at-home tests to determine your porosity
Before investing in expensive products, try these quick DIY tests:
- The Float Test: Place a clean strand of hair in water. If it floats, you have low porosity. If it sinks slowly, medium porosity. Immediate sinking indicates high porosity.
- The Spray Bottle Test: Mist clean hair with water. Low porosity hair shows water beading on the surface, while high porosity hair quickly absorbs the moisture.
- The Slip Test: Run fingers up a strand toward the scalp. Smooth feeling suggests low porosity, while bumpy texture indicates high porosity.
Understanding your results: What your porosity means
Your hair resembles a pinecone opening and closing with the seasons. When the cuticle lies flat (low porosity), moisture struggles to enter but stays locked in once absorbed. When the cuticle has gaps (high porosity), moisture flows in easily but escapes just as quickly.
“I see many clients frustrated with frizz as we approach summer,” notes stylist Michael Collins. “What they don’t realize is that their high porosity hair needs different spring and summer care than their friends with low porosity strands.”
Spring and summer care for low porosity hair
If your cuticles are tightly sealed, try these seasonal approaches:
- Use lightweight, water-based products that won’t sit heavily on hair
- Apply products to damp, warm hair (try this 3-minute morning trick that works even on humid spring days)
- Consider steam treatments to open the cuticle and allow moisture in
- Use clarifying shampoo monthly to remove product buildup
Managing medium porosity in changing weather
Medium porosity hair offers the perfect balance but still needs seasonal adjustments. This spring, focus on maintenance with regular deep conditioning and moderate protein treatments.
Those with medium porosity might benefit from techniques to manage thick hair bulk without sacrificing that coveted spring volume.
Rescuing high porosity hair as temperatures rise
High porosity hair drinks up moisture like a sponge but dries out quickly in spring and summer heat. Your hair is like a leaky bucket that needs constant refilling and sealing.
“For high porosity clients, I recommend a complete shift in product density from spring to summer,” says Dr. Lauren Hayes, hair scientist. “What works in April won’t necessarily serve you in July.”
Try testing different styling methods to see how spring humidity affects your curls, especially if you have high porosity hair.
Special considerations for mixed-texture and multiracial hair
Many people have varying porosity levels throughout their hair. This spring, try specialized techniques for mixed-textured hair that can extend the life of protective styles.
You might also discover that volume-boosting tricks work differently based on your hair’s porosity zones.
Is your porosity permanent or can it change?
While genetics determine your baseline porosity, factors like chemical processing, heat styling, and even seasonal changes can alter it. Regular assessments, especially during seasonal transitions, ensure your hair care evolves with your needs.
As we move into the warmer days of 2025, let your hair’s unique porosity guide your product choices. Your strands will thank you with more good hair days, regardless of what the spring and summer forecast brings.