Florida Cosmetology Licensing ExamHair ServicesHard
A cosmetologist is performing a hair analysis for a client who desires a permanent wave. The client's hair appears healthy, but she reports that her previous perm did not hold well and relaxed quickly. Upon examination, the cosmetologist notes that the hair cuticle is tightly compact. Which hair characteristic is most likely contributing to the poor perm results?
- AHigh porosity
- BLow elasticity
- CLow porosity
- DHigh density
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Low porosity
Low porosity hair has a tightly compact cuticle layer, which resists the penetration of chemical solutions. This characteristic would cause a perm solution to not fully penetrate and process effectively, leading to poor, quickly relaxing perm results.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. High porosity hair has an open cuticle, allowing solutions to penetrate easily, often leading to over-processing if not managed.
- B. Low elasticity means the hair doesn't stretch and return, indicating damage, but not directly causing a perm to 'not hold well' due to penetration issues.
- D. High density refers to the number of hair strands per square inch, which impacts the amount of product needed but not porosity.
Low Porosity Hair
Hair with a tightly closed, overlapping cuticle layer that resists moisture and chemical penetration, making it difficult for products to enter the hair shaft.
- Tightly compact cuticle
- Resists chemical penetration (e.g., perms, color)
- Requires longer processing times for chemical services
- Often takes longer to dry
- Can be healthy, but challenging for chemical treatments
Memory trick: Remember 'High-Low Porosity' for how hair reacts to chemicals.