Red Seal Hairstylist Practice Exam

The best method for a hairstylist to assess the porosity of hair is by performing a water absorption test. Porosity refers to the hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture, and this can be effectively gauged by how the hair reacts to water.

In a water absorption test, a stylist can take a strand of hair and observe how quickly it soaks up water. Hair with high porosity will absorb water rapidly, indicating that the cuticle layers are lifted or damaged, allowing moisture to penetrate easily. In contrast, hair with low porosity will resist absorbing water and may take longer to get wet, suggesting that the cuticle layers are tight and intact.

Observing the thickness of each strand, observing the hair's shine, and evaluating hair color do not provide direct information about porosity. Thickness may indicate density, shine is related to health and moisture levels, and color relates more to dye and chemical treatments rather than the ability to absorb moisture. Thus, the water absorption test is the most accurate and telling method to determine hair porosity, making it the correct choice.