| A cuticle layer can be found on all human hair, and | | | | Some types of hair will seem to produce the same |
| this is the same case for fish scales. When some | | | | smooth feeling in both directions. If this is the case |
| strands of hair are swiveled in an opposite direction | | | | then you can get the desired results by doing the |
| they will tend to clasp to one another, become | | | | test with your eyes closed. Remember that from the |
| locked up and end up in the hair becoming matted. | | | | ends to the roots the feeling ought to be smooth |
| Most of the cheap hair products found in the market | | | | and vice versa. |
| today have been mass-produced in a Chinese or | | | | 2. This test requires an amount of hair as thick as a |
| Indian factory. As the hair enters the market it is in a | | | | pencil. Dampen the hair and then rub the hair at the |
| sorry state thanks to prior tangling and matting. This | | | | top and that at the bottom together using a |
| hair must be prepared for the market and it thus | | | | vigorous rapid motion. You will note that the hair at |
| undergoes a process referred to as cuticle stripping. | | | | the roots will adhere together more strongly as |
| Rogue salons have a tendency of assuring their | | | | compared to that at the ends. Bulk hair is required |
| customers that this stripping process is meant to | | | | for this test. |
| clean the hair. This is a rather blatant act of | | | | 3. Some hair colors that are naturally lighter tend to |
| misinformation given that to clean hair you just | | | | have lighter ends and darker roots and this makes |
| require some cleansing shampoo. Cuticle stripping is | | | | for ease in telling cuticle direction. However this |
| therefore not a means of cleansing but rather a | | | | shouldn't fool you as telling the direction accurately |
| cheap way to get rid of the tangling and matting. | | | | takes more than what you can see. The silicone layer |
| Hair extensions of the highest quality do not come | | | | found on processed hair makes it almost impossible |
| cheap - hair extensions fall in the class of products | | | | to identify the direction by an act of feeling. This |
| where what you pay for is what you get. For this | | | | layer of silicone is mostly applied on hair that had |
| and more reasons you ought to know the tell-tale | | | | previously undergone cuticle stripping such that the |
| signs that will help you distinguish between processed | | | | hair ends up feeling smooth in both directions. It is |
| and virgin hair. Below is a breakdown of how to do | | | | prudent to undertake these tests prior to installation |
| this: | | | | so as to identify the actual curl pattern because |
| The test for unprocessed human hair | | | | some hair types become dramatically altered once |
| 1. Unprocessed human hair has an outer layer of | | | | they are wet. |
| overlapping scales that are arranged in a similar | | | | 4. The sternest test for processed hair is done using |
| manner to a fish's scales. Dampen your hair and take | | | | a microscope. It is only under a microscope that a |
| hold of some of it, as thick as a strand of spaghetti. | | | | strand of hair will reveal if it has undergone |
| Use your thumb and finger to hold the strands of hair | | | | smoothening (like in the picture above). There is no |
| and rapidly move from the roots to the ends. This | | | | way that all the cuticles can be removed from hair |
| will have quite a smooth feel. Doing the same for the | | | | without some degree of disintegration. This is the |
| opposite direction will cause some friction. | | | | reason why tangling will start as soon as the coating |
| The difference may not be apparent at first but | | | | peels off thus exposing the remaining cuticle. As soon |
| once you do it continuously you will observe it. The | | | | as you start shampooing and brushing the hair, and |
| test can also be done on dry hair but in that case | | | | coupled with natural wear and tear, the silicone layer |
| your fingers have to be moistened. | | | | begins to wear off. |
