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Explore your benefits at associatedhairprofessionals.com 23 THE CONSULT become damaged, we run into poor elasticity, porous hair, and an open or broken cuticle. Hair that has low elasticity may require a lower pH solution to help prevent further damage to the hair. Checking the hair before a service is also key when performing a thorough hair analysis. Just like the texture of the hair can be diff erent throughout the head, elasticity can be too. Performing an elasticity test on various places on the head will ensure you are factoring in how to conduct a specifi c service. GROWTH PATTERNS As hair professionals, we must take into consideration growth patterns, especially when we are consulting on a particular cut or style. A cowlick or whorl can alter how we cut or style the hair to either hide or embrace those particular features. Both a cowlick and whorl can be anywhere on the head, and a person can have more than one or the other throughout. We may need to adjust the tension and length of that area to blend those naturally forming patterns. Cutting a cowlick too short can cause the hair to spike up, even if we are using a guide. Being mindful of someone's natural parting, also known as the hair stream, can also help determine how the hair is styled or cut. THE KEY TO BETTER CONSULTS Knowing how to diff erentiate between hair types and the condition of the hair by doing a thorough hair analysis will prepare you to make decisions about the hair service you're performing. Keeping the integrity of the hair and understanding how diff erent services can be aff ected by a client's hair texture, density, porosity, elasticity, and growth patterns will help you grow as a professional and strengthen your client relationships. Notes 1. Daniel Yetman, Healthline, "What Is Hair Density and Why It Matters," October 27, 2020, healthline.com/health/hair- density. 2. Morgan B. Murphrey, Sanjay Agarwal, and Patrick M. Zito, Anatomy, Hair (StatPearls Publishing, 2023). ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ books/ NBK513312. 3. S. Kavitha et al., "Effect of Oil Application, Age, Diet, and Pigmentation on the Tensile Strength and Breaking Point of Hair," International Journal of Trichology 8, no. 4 (October– December 2016): 155–9, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC5387873.