← Properties of Hair, Skin & Scalp – NIC Cosmetology Exam

Free Properties of Hair, Skin & Scalp – NIC Cosmetology Exam Practice Test (2026)

100 questions · 90 min · 75% to pass

100 Questions · 90 Minutes · 75% to Pass

Question 1 of 5

Sample Questions

Question 1

During which phase of the hair growth cycle is the follicle actively producing new hair cells, and how long does this phase typically last?

Answer: The anagen phase is the active growth stage during which the hair follicle produces new cells continuously; it typically lasts two to six years and determines the maximum length the hair can achieve.

Question 2

What is the primary function of the hair cuticle, and how does its structure relate to porosity?

Answer: The cuticle is the outermost layer of overlapping translucent scales that protect the cortex; when scales lie flat the hair has low porosity, and when raised or damaged the hair has high porosity.

Question 3

What happens to the hair follicle during the catagen phase, and approximately how long does this phase last?

Answer: During catagen, the transitional phase of the hair growth cycle, the follicle shrinks and detaches from the dermal papilla; this phase lasts approximately two to three weeks before the hair enters the resting telogen phase.

Question 4

Why is the medulla considered insignificant when performing chemical services on fine or blonde hair?

Answer: The medulla is the innermost core of the hair shaft and is frequently absent in fine or blonde hair; because it plays no role in chemical reactions such as color or perming, its presence or absence does not affect service outcomes.

Question 5

Which layer of the hair shaft contains melanin and accounts for approximately 90% of the hair's total weight?

Answer: The cortex is the middle layer of the hair shaft that contains melanin granules responsible for hair color and keratin proteins that provide strength, elasticity, and the majority of the hair's weight.