Pennsylvania Barber Licensure Practice Exam

Which technique creates volume in fine hair?

1. Layering

2. Texturizing

3. Backcombing

4. Thinning

The correct answer is: Backcombing

Backcombing is a technique that creates volume in fine hair by teasing or ruffling the hair strands at the roots. This process involves the use of a fine-toothed comb that is pulled backward through the hair, creating a cushion of tangles that lifts the hair away from the scalp. By introducing this texture at the base of the hair, backcombing essentially adds height and fullness, making it especially effective for fine hair that may not hold volume well on its own. While layering can also add some volume by removing weight and allowing the hair to move more freely, it does not provide the same immediate dramatic lift at the roots as backcombing. Texturizing generally softens and reduces bulk without necessarily adding volume, focusing instead on creating texture and movement. Thinning, on the other hand, is used to reduce density and can lead to a flatter appearance rather than enhancing volume. Each of these techniques serves different purposes, but backcombing is specifically designed to boost volume.