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

Porosity refers specifically to the hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. This characteristic is crucial because it affects how well hair can hydrate, hold products, and respond to various treatments. Hair with high porosity tends to absorb moisture readily but may struggle to retain it, often leading to dryness and frizz. Conversely, low porosity hair is typically resistant to moisture absorption but can effectively retain it once hydrated. Understanding porosity helps professionals choose appropriate hair care products and treatments tailored to individual hair needs, promoting healthier, well-moisturized hair.

The other terms related to strength, shine, and thickness do not encompass the concept of porosity; they focus on different aspects of hair health. Strength relates to the hair's resilience against breakage, shine signifies the light reflectivity of the hair surface, and thickness refers to the actual size or density of individual hair strands. Each of these factors is important for overall hair health but specifically does not define porosity.