Moisture Balance
The changing relationship between water inside the hair fiber, the surrounding environment, and the hair's ability to remain flexible and manageable.
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Hair is hygroscopic, meaning it exchanges water with its surrounding environment. The amount of water present within a hair fiber can change with humidity, washing, drying, damage, and environmental conditions. Water content also affects the fiber's mechanical properties; for example, increased water within the hair can alter its stiffness and elasticity.
Coded Coil uses moisture balance as a practical consumer term for how comfortably hydrated, flexible, and manageable the hair remains over time. It should not be interpreted as a precise medical diagnosis or as proof of a simplistic “protein versus moisture” condition. Moisture behavior is influenced by several factors, including cuticle condition, porosity, environmental humidity, cleansing, conditioning, and previous damage.