Alaska Hairdresser and Barber Certification Practice Exam

What chemical process is used to change the structure of hair permanently?

1. Relaxing

2. Perming

3. Curling

4. Coloring

The correct answer is: Perming

The process used to change the structure of hair permanently is known as perming. Perming involves the application of chemical solutions that alter the internal structure of the hair, enabling it to take on a new shape, whether it be curls or waves. This is achieved by breaking and reforming the disulfide bonds in the hair shafts, which are responsible for the natural shape of hair. When a perm is performed, the hair is wrapped around rods or curlers, and a chemical wave solution is applied. The solution penetrates the hair shaft, allowing it to reshape as it processes. Once the desired texture is achieved, a neutralizing solution is applied to set the hair in its new shape, effectively creating a long-lasting change that can endure various washing and styling. In contrast, relaxing involves straightening naturally curly or frizzy hair, typically using chemicals to loosen the curl patterns but may not be a permanent alteration like perming. Curling refers to temporary styling methods, such as using heated tools to create curls. Coloring, on the other hand, involves changing the pigment of the hair using dyes but does not alter the hair's structure. Therefore, perming is unique in its ability to provide a permanent structural transformation to the hair.