Cosmetology Test Chemical Texture Services 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client's hair turns into a gummy, mushy texture during a perm strand test. This indicates:
- The hair is resistant and needs more processing time
- The hair is over-processed and cannot safely receive a perm (Correct answer)
- The neutralizer should be applied immediately to stop processing
- The waving lotion is too mild for the hair type
Correct answer: The hair is over-processed and cannot safely receive a perm
A gummy or mushy texture means the hair's protein structure has been broken down too much, making the hair too fragile for a perm service.
Question 2: What is the key difference between a 'no-base' relaxer application and a 'base' application?
- No-base relaxers contain a built-in scalp protector; base applications require separate base cream
- No-base relaxers are applied to the hair only without pre-coating the scalp with base cream (Correct answer)
- No-base relaxers use guanidine instead of sodium hydroxide
- No-base applications skip the neutralizing shampoo step
Correct answer: No-base relaxers are applied to the hair only without pre-coating the scalp with base cream
No-base relaxers are mild enough that a protective base cream is only applied to the hairline and ears, not the entire scalp.
Question 3: Which rod size produces the tightest curl pattern in a permanent wave?
- Large diameter rod
- Medium diameter rod
- Small diameter rod (Correct answer)
- Extra-large diameter rod
Correct answer: Small diameter rod
Smaller diameter rods create tighter, more defined curls because the hair wraps around a smaller circumference.
Question 4: What is 'thio-free' or 'alternative' perm chemistry based on?
- Sodium hydroxide as the active agent
- Cysteamine or other non-thioglycolate reducing agents (Correct answer)
- Hydrogen peroxide as the sole active ingredient
- Formaldehyde-based straightening compounds
Correct answer: Cysteamine or other non-thioglycolate reducing agents
Thio-free perms use alternative reducing agents such as cysteamine or mercaptamine that break disulfide bonds without ammonium thioglycolate.
Question 5: How long should the neutralizer typically remain on the hair during a permanent wave service?
- 1 to 2 minutes
- 5 to 10 minutes (Correct answer)
- 20 to 30 minutes
- 45 to 60 minutes
Correct answer: 5 to 10 minutes
Most neutralizers require 5 to 10 minutes to fully oxidize and rebuild the disulfide bonds in the new curl pattern.
Question 6: A client with fine, thin hair wants a perm. Which technique would add volume without over-curling?
- Spiral wrap with small rods throughout
- Body wave using large rods (Correct answer)
- Piggyback wrap with medium rods
- Weave technique with alternating small rods
Correct answer: Body wave using large rods
A body wave with large rods creates a loose, soft wave that lifts fine hair and adds volume without an overly tight curl.
Question 7: What is the function of a 'pre-wrap lotion' applied before rolling perm rods?
- It acts as a neutralizer to stabilize the hair before processing
- It conditions the hair and controls porosity for more even processing (Correct answer)
- It replaces the need for end papers during wrapping
- It activates the waving lotion by raising its pH
Correct answer: It conditions the hair and controls porosity for more even processing
Pre-wrap lotions equalize the porosity of the hair so that waving lotion absorbs evenly from roots to ends, preventing uneven curl results.
Cosmetology Test Chemical Texture Services 5
A client's hair turns into a gummy, mushy texture during a perm strand test.
This indicates: