Chemical Treatments & Relaxers Flashcards

What differentiates a 'no-base' relaxer from a 'base' relaxer application?

Answer: No-base relaxers require no protective cream on scalp or hair

No-base relaxers are formulated to be gentle enough that protective base cream is not required on the scalp or hair before application.

When retouching a relaxer, where should the product be applied first?

Answer: To the new growth (virgin regrowth) only

Relaxer retouch applications are applied only to the new growth to avoid over-processing previously relaxed hair.

Which of the following is a primary ingredient that distinguishes guanidine relaxers from sodium hydroxide relaxers?

Answer: Calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate

Guanidine relaxers are formed by mixing calcium hydroxide cream with a guanidine carbonate activator, producing guanidine hydroxide.

A client experiences scalp itching and redness within minutes of relaxer application. The barber should:

Answer: Rinse the relaxer out immediately and assess the scalp

Signs of scalp irritation require immediate removal of the chemical to prevent chemical burns or a serious allergic reaction.

Overprocessing with a relaxer typically results in:

Answer: Hair that is too straight and lacks elasticity

Overprocessing breaks too many disulfide bonds, leaving hair limp, weak, lacking elasticity, and prone to breakage.

Which type of relaxer requires immediate use after mixing because the activating reaction begins at the moment the two components are combined?

Answer: Guanidine hydroxide (no-lye) relaxer

Guanidine hydroxide relaxers must be mixed and used promptly because the chemical reaction starts as soon as the calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate are combined.

What does the strand test reveal during a relaxer service?

Answer: How the hair is responding to the relaxer and processing progress

A strand test monitors processing progress, helping the barber determine when the hair has reached the desired straightness without over-processing.