Understanding Hair Cuticle Alignment When Wet: A Detailed Explanation

When hair is wet, the cuticles tend to lie flatter than when they are dry.

Here's why:

* Water Absorption: Hair is porous and absorbs water. When hair absorbs water, it swells.

* Smoother Surface: This swelling causes the outer layer (cuticle) to become smoother and lie down flatter against the hair shaft. This is because the scales are plumped up by the water and press against each other.

Important Note: While the cuticle generally lies flatter, the exact appearance can depend on the hair's porosity, texture, and whether it has been treated with chemicals. Highly porous hair may still have some lifting of the cuticle even when wet.