NIC Cosmetology Written (Theory) ExamScientific ConceptsMedium
A cosmetologist is performing a hair analysis and notes that the client's hair has a low porosity. What does this characteristic indicate about the hair's ability to absorb moisture and chemicals?
- AThe hair has an average ability to absorb moisture and chemicals.
- BThe hair absorbs moisture and chemicals quickly.
- CThe hair resists moisture and chemicals absorption.
- DThe hair swells excessively when wet.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. The hair resists moisture and chemicals absorption.
Low porosity hair has a tightly closed cuticle layer, making it difficult for moisture and chemical treatments to penetrate effectively, thus resisting absorption.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This describes normal or average porosity hair.
- B. This describes high porosity hair, not low porosity.
- D. Excessive swelling when wet is often associated with high porosity or damaged hair, where the cuticle is very open.
Hair Porosity
The hair's ability to absorb moisture and chemicals, determined by the condition of the cuticle layer.
- Low porosity: tightly closed cuticle, resists absorption.
- Normal porosity: slightly raised cuticle, absorbs well.
- High porosity: raised or damaged cuticle, absorbs quickly but also loses moisture quickly.
Memory trick: Low porosity: 'L'ocked 'L'ayers 'L'imit 'L'iquids.