What type of hair usually has an open cuticle layer?

What type of hair usually has an open cuticle layer?

• A. Healthy, well-conditioned hair
• B. Damaged, porous hair
• C. Coarse or resistant hair
• D. Fine, non-porous hair

Answer: (B)

The concept here is porosity and cuticle condition. The cuticle is the outer protective layer of each hair strand, made of overlapping scales. When hair is damaged from chemical processing, heat, mechanical wear, or environmental stress, these scales lift or roughen, creating an open cuticle. That open cuticle means higher porosity, so moisture and chemicals can penetrate more easily; the hair often feels dry or brittle, looks dull, frizzes, and tangles more. Healthy, well-conditioned hair has a smooth, tightly closed cuticle, which keeps porosity low. Coarse or resistant hair tends to have a tougher, more compact cuticle, making it less likely to be open, while fine, non-porous hair typically shows a very closed cuticle. So, damaged, porous hair is the type that usually has an open cuticle layer.

The concept here is porosity and cuticle condition. The cuticle is the outer protective layer of each hair strand, made of overlapping scales. When hair is damaged from chemical processing, heat, mechanical wear, or environmental stress, these scales lift or roughen, creating an open cuticle. That open cuticle means higher porosity, so moisture and chemicals can penetrate more easily; the hair often feels dry or brittle, looks dull, frizzes, and tangles more. Healthy, well-conditioned hair has a smooth, tightly closed cuticle, which keeps porosity low. Coarse or resistant hair tends to have a tougher, more compact cuticle, making it less likely to be open, while fine, non-porous hair typically shows a very closed cuticle. So, damaged, porous hair is the type that usually has an open cuticle layer.