Approximately how much can wet hair stretch when compared to its original length?

Wet hair can stretch approximately 50% of its original length when it is saturated with water. This property of hair is significant because it impacts how hair should be treated, especially during styling procedures like cutting, coloring, or using heat. When hair is wet, the hydrogen bonds in the hair's protein structure are broken, allowing the hair to elongate. Understanding this elasticity is crucial for professionals, as it influences the methods they use to manage and style hair effectively without causing damage. Knowledge about this stretching property helps prevent excess tension during hair treatments, which can lead to breakage if not carefully controlled.