Missouri Board of Cosmetology Practice Exam

What is the impact of UV rays on hair?

1. Enhances shine and color

2. Provides moisture to the hair

3. Damaging and drying effect

4. Rejuvenates hair health

The correct answer is: Damaging and drying effect

The impact of UV rays on hair is primarily damaging and drying. UV radiation from the sun can break down the chemical bonds in hair strands, leading to a loss of moisture and essential lipids. This results in hair becoming brittle, dull, and more prone to breakage. The damaging effects can also lead to color fading, making the hair appear less vibrant. Overall, UV exposure negatively affects the structural integrity of the hair and can lead to long-term damage if proper protective measures are not taken. In contrast, some of the other options mistakenly attribute beneficial properties to UV exposure. Enhancing shine and color or providing moisture are not accurate; instead, these are effects one might hope for from treatments specifically designed for hair care, rather than from UV rays. Similarly, the idea that UV rays rejuvenate hair health is misleading, as the cumulative effect of UV exposure increasingly harms rather than helps hair vitality.