Hair with a higher cortex proportion relative to cuticle would be more likely to be:

Hair with a higher cortex proportion relative to cuticle would be more likely to be:

• A. Elastic
• B. Resistant to relaxers
• C. Resistant to holding a set
• D. Resistant to holding a perm

Answer: (A)

Elasticity comes from the cortex, the inner part of the hair that actually stretches and returns to shape. When the cortex proportion is larger relative to the cuticle, there’s more stretchable material inside the hair and less restrictive outer layering. That combination lets the fiber elongate under tension and rebound, which we describe as elasticity. The other traits—resistance to relaxing or perming and ability to hold a set—depend more on how chemical bonds inside the cortex are altered or on moisture and overall structure, not simply on having a bigger cortex compared with the cuticle. So a higher cortex-to-cuticle ratio naturally aligns with being more elastic.

Elasticity comes from the cortex, the inner part of the hair that actually stretches and returns to shape. When the cortex proportion is larger relative to the cuticle, there’s more stretchable material inside the hair and less restrictive outer layering. That combination lets the fiber elongate under tension and rebound, which we describe as elasticity. The other traits—resistance to relaxing or perming and ability to hold a set—depend more on how chemical bonds inside the cortex are altered or on moisture and overall structure, not simply on having a bigger cortex compared with the cuticle. So a higher cortex-to-cuticle ratio naturally aligns with being more elastic.