California Cosmetology Written ExamChemical Texture ServicesHard
To determine a client's hair porosity before a chemical texture service, a cosmetologist slides their fingers along a dry strand from the ends toward the scalp. Which result indicates high porosity?
- AThe cuticle ruffles and feels rough or bumpy, indicating raised cuticle scales
- BThe strand snaps back immediately when released
- CThe strand feels smooth with no resistance along its length
- DThe strand stretches significantly when wet and returns slowly
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The cuticle ruffles and feels rough or bumpy, indicating raised cuticle scales
During a porosity test, sliding fingers from ends to scalp against the direction of the cuticle scales causes rough, ruffled hair to feel bumpy if the cuticle is raised and open, indicating high porosity. A smooth feel indicates low porosity with tightly closed cuticle scales.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Immediate snap-back describes good elasticity, unrelated to the porosity finger-slide test.
- C. A smooth feel indicates low porosity, not high.
- D. Stretch and slow return describes an elasticity test, not porosity.
Porosity Test (Finger Slide)
A test performed by sliding fingers along a dry strand from ends to scalp; a rough, ruffled feel indicates raised cuticle scales and high porosity, while smoothness indicates low porosity.
- Slide fingers from ends toward scalp on dry hair
- Rough/ruffled feel = high porosity, raised cuticle
- Smooth feel = low porosity, tight cuticle
Memory trick: 'Rough Ruffles = Really porous'