Hair Test
Test the porosity of your hair - In order to test accurately for porosity, use three different areas: front hairline, in front of ears, and near the crown. Grasp small strands of dry hair and comb smoothly. Hold the ends firmly with the thumb and index finger of one hand and slide the fingers of the other hand from the ends towards the scalp. If the fingers do not slide easily, or if the hair ruffles up as your fingers slide down the stand, the hair is porous.
The more ruffles formed, the more porous is the hair. The less ruffles formed, the less porous is the hair. If the fingers slide easily and no ruffles are formed, the cuticle layer lays close to the hair shaft. This type of hair is least porous, is most resistant and will require a longer processing time.
Elasticity test - Test the elasticity of your hair. Hair elasticity is a very important factor to consider when giving a hair straightening/Thermal Reconditioning treatment. All hair is elastic, but its elasticity ranges from very good to poor. Hair with very good elasticity will produce resilient straightness. Hair with fairly good elasticity will produce slightly less than average resilient straightness. Hair with poor elasticity, also known as limp hair, will result in a very small amount of resiliency of straightness. If the keratin molecular make up exhibits above average percent elongation or elasticity (allowing the fibers to stretch too much) the hair will not be resilient. Under No circumstances should chemical services be given when the hair is in this range.
Hair will change its elasticity from time to time. Usually, porous hair loses its elasticity faster than non-porous hair. This change may be temporary due to humidity and temperature, the type of shampoo used, the amount of hair spray/gels used, and drying action of wind and sun.
Signs of poor elasticity: When the hair is wet, it feels spongy, limp, tangles easily and stretches excessively without returning to its normal position. The most common cause of this serious condition is chemical services such as color, highlight, permanent straightener/TR either given improperly or too often, or both. Elasticity damage can also be caused by brushing wet hair—stretching the hair beyond its limit. The elasticity qualities of hair will determine the rate of success in permanent hair straightening/TR and BKT.