PSI Barbering Practice Exam

What characteristic would you expect from hair with high porosity?

1. Resistant to dyes

2. Easily absorbs moisture

3. Very smooth

4. Low density

The correct answer is: Easily absorbs moisture

Hair with high porosity has a unique characteristic of easily absorbing moisture due to its open cuticle layer. The hair shaft has gaps and holes, which allows for a significant amount of moisture to enter and be retained. This trait makes high-porosity hair more susceptible to damage from environmental factors and chemical processes but also allows it to quickly take in products such as conditioners and hydrating treatments. In contrast, hair that is resistant to dyes reflects lower porosity, as it typically has tighter cuticles that do not allow for easy penetration by color molecules. When hair is smooth, it usually indicates healthy, lower-porosity hair, where the cuticles lie flat and are less prone to damage. The term "low density" refers to the number of hair strands per square inch on the scalp, which can be independent of porosity. Thus, high porosity is primarily linked to moisture absorption capabilities.