Cosmetology Test Scientific Concepts Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client's hair feels dry and brittle after a recent color service. A post-color conditioner is recommended to help restore the hair's integrity. To be effective, this conditioner should have a pH that is:
- Neutral (pH of 7.0) to balance the hair.
- Slightly acidic, to help close the hair cuticle. (Correct answer)
- The same as the hair color, to lock in the molecules.
- Highly alkaline, to further open the cuticle for treatment.
Correct answer: Slightly acidic, to help close the hair cuticle.
Chemical services like hair coloring are typically alkaline (pH above 7) to swell the hair shaft and open the cuticle layers. An acidic conditioner (pH below 7) helps to neutralize residual alkalinity, contract the hair shaft, and close the cuticle, resulting in smoother, shinier hair with better color retention.
Question 2: Which layer of the hair shaft is responsible for providing the hair with its natural color, strength, and elasticity?
- Cuticle
- Medulla
- Hair follicle
- Cortex (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Cortex
The cortex is the middle layer and makes up the bulk of the hair strand. It contains the melanin pigment that determines natural hair color and the complex protein structures (keratin chains) that give hair its strength and elasticity.
Question 3: A client has a common cold and is sneezing in the salon. The cosmetologist understands that this illness is caused by which type of pathogenic microorganism?
- Fungus
- Bacteria
- Virus (Correct answer)
- Parasite
Correct answer: Virus
The common cold is a contagious illness caused by a virus. Viruses are submicroscopic infectious agents that can only replicate inside the living cells of other organisms. Bacteria, fungi, and parasites are different classes of microorganisms that cause other types of infections.
Question 4: During a permanent waving service, the chemical solution breaks the disulfide bonds in the hair's cortex. The subsequent application of the neutralizer performs what function?
- It reforms the disulfide bonds in their new shape. (Correct answer)
- It hardens the salt bonds permanently.
- It dissolves the hydrogen bonds.
- It adds temporary color to the hair.
Correct answer: It reforms the disulfide bonds in their new shape.
In permanent waving, the waving lotion (a reducing agent) breaks the strong disulfide bonds. After the hair is set on rods, the neutralizer (an oxidizing agent, like hydrogen peroxide) is applied. Its function is to reform the disulfide bonds in the new curled position, permanently locking the new shape into the hair's structure.
Question 5: Which of the following is the active growth phase of the hair growth cycle, during which new hair is produced?
- Catagen
- Telogen
- Anagen (Correct answer)
- Exogen
Correct answer: Anagen
The hair growth cycle has three main phases. The anagen phase is the active growing phase where the follicle is producing new hair, and it can last for several years. The catagen phase is a brief transition, and the telogen phase is the resting phase before the hair is shed (exogen).
Question 6: In a facial treatment for acne-prone skin, a cosmetologist uses a high-frequency machine with a glass electrode. What is the primary benefit of this current for this skin type?
- It provides deep muscle stimulation.
- It infuses water-soluble products into the skin.
- It has a germicidal and antiseptic effect. (Correct answer)
- It cools and soothes inflamed skin.
Correct answer: It has a germicidal and antiseptic effect.
High-frequency current, also known as Tesla current, creates ozone gas when the electrode is applied to the skin. Ozone has antiseptic and germicidal properties, which are highly beneficial for treating acne-prone skin by helping to kill bacteria and oxygenate the tissue.
Cosmetology Test Scientific Concepts Questions and Answers
A client's hair feels dry and brittle after a recent color service.
A post-color conditioner is recommended to help restore the hair's integrity.
To be effective, this conditioner should have a pH that is: