Alaska Hairdresser and Barber Certification Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of a hair perm?

1. To lighten hair

2. To add waves or curls

3. To straighten hair

4. To condition hair

The correct answer is: To add waves or curls

The primary purpose of a hair perm is to add waves or curls to the hair. This process involves chemically altering the structure of the hair to create long-lasting curls or waves. During a perm, the hair is wrapped around rods or rollers and treated with a chemical solution that breaks down the hair's natural structure. Once the solution is set, another chemical is applied to reconfigure the hair's bonds, allowing it to maintain the new curly or wavy shape. While hair lightening, straightening, and conditioning are important hair processes, they each serve different purposes. Lightening is intended to change the color of the hair, straightening aims to remove curls or waves and create a smooth appearance, and conditioning focuses on improving the hair's texture and health. These procedures do not contribute to the creation of curls or waves, which is the central goal of a perm. Thus, choosing the option that identifies adding waves or curls highlights an understanding of the primary function of this popular hair treatment.