Chemical Treatments & Relaxers Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Chemical Treatments & Relaxers flashcards as text
Which factor most directly determines the strength (mild, regular, super) of relaxer to select?
Answer: Hair texture and degree of curl
Hair texture and curl pattern determine relaxer strength; coarser, tighter curls typically require a stronger formula.
Calcium buildup in hair treated with guanidine relaxers is primarily caused by:
Answer: Residual calcium hydroxide that cannot be fully removed by shampoo
Calcium hydroxide in guanidine relaxers can leave calcium deposits in the hair that build up over time and may cause dryness and brittleness.
What is the recommended minimum time to wait between a relaxer service and a hair color application?
Answer: One to two weeks
It is generally recommended to wait one to two weeks between a relaxer and a color service to allow the hair and scalp to recover from chemical stress.
In a thio relaxer service, the fixative (second step) typically contains:
Answer: Hydrogen peroxide or sodium bromate
Thio relaxer fixatives use an oxidizer such as hydrogen peroxide or sodium bromate to reform the disulfide bonds in the straightened position.
Which PPE item is MOST important for the barber to wear during relaxer application?
Answer: Nitrile or latex gloves
Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or latex) are essential to prevent the highly alkaline relaxer from contacting and burning the barber's skin.
A bisulfite relaxer is considered less damaging than a thio relaxer because:
Answer: It modifies the hair more gently without fully breaking disulfide bonds
Bisulfite relaxers work more gently, causing less complete disruption of disulfide bonds, which results in less dramatic straightening but reduced damage.
If a client has a known allergy to fragrance or preservatives, which pre-service step is most critical before applying a new relaxer brand?
Answer: Patch test (predisposition test) 24–48 hours before service
A patch test performed 24–48 hours before the service detects potential allergic reactions to ingredients in the relaxer formula.