- Healthy wet hair can be stretched up to 30 percent of its dry length without damage. It will return to its original length when dry.
- A single strand of hair can hold 3 ounces of weight.
- A lock of hair consisting of 100 strands can hold 22 pounds.
- An average head of hair (about 150,000 strands) can hold 12 tons. (Of course we can’t say the same thing for your scalp!)
- Strength and elasticity depend on the shape of the hair. African hair is the most fragile, breaking under a strain of 60 grams (2.11 ounces) after being stretched up to 40 percent.
- In a normal healthy hair shaft, the cuticle covering the cortex (the central shaft) is intact, making it nearly waterproof.
- Chemical treatments are made to penetrate the hair’s cortex in order to react with the keratin inside. Increasing temperature or applying an alkaline lotion separates the scales of the cuticle just enough to let the chemicals pass through.
- After chemical processing is finished, cuticle scales gradually close again. When over-processed, the cuticle scales lose their tightness and lead to over-porous hair. That means water can pass in and out of the cortex, weakening the hair.
- Hair gets electrically charged after coming in contact with different materials, such as brush fibers. Here’s a quick fix: Break out the moisturizing shampoo and conditioner!
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