What term describes the hair's ability to absorb moisture, liquids or chemicals?

• A. Texture
• B. Porosity
• C. Elasticity
• D. Manageability

Answer: (B)

Porosity describes how open the hair cuticle is and how readily it can absorb moisture, liquids, or chemicals. This determines how quickly products penetrate the strand and how well moisture is retained. High porosity hair has raised or damaged cuticles, so it absorbs moisture and chemicals quickly but tends to lose moisture rapidly and can be prone to frizz. Low porosity hair has tightly packed cuticles, so absorption is slower and products may sit on the surface unless you use heat or lighter formulations. Medium porosity strikes a balance, absorbing and retaining moisture fairly well. Knowing porosity helps you choose conditioners, treatments, and application methods that match how the hair takes in and holds moisture. Texture describes the feel and diameter of the hair; elasticity is the hair's ability to stretch and return to form; manageability is how easy it is to style.