Which four factors are commonly analyzed when assessing a client's hair?

When analyzing hair, cosmetologists commonly assess texture (the diameter of individual strands — fine, medium, coarse), density (how many hairs per area — thin, medium, thick), porosity (the hair's ability to absorb moisture/chemicals), and elasticity (the hair's ability to stretch and return). These characteristics determine how the hair will respond to cutting, styling, and chemical services and guide product and technique choices. Knowing these four core hair characteristics and what each means is fundamental hair analysis content on the exam.