California Barber Written ExamHair Care ServicesMedium
A barber is performing a chemical relaxing service on a client with extremely coarse, resistant hair. To ensure sufficient straightening and processing, which active ingredient is typically found in the strongest type of relaxer used for this hair type?
- AAmmonium thioglycolate
- BSodium hydroxide
- CCysteamine hydrochloride
- DGlyceryl monothioglycolate
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Sodium hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide relaxers are considered 'lye' relaxers and are the strongest type of chemical relaxer, best suited for extremely coarse, resistant hair due to their high pH and ability to break disulfide bonds permanently.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Ammonium thioglycolate is used in 'thio' relaxers, which are milder than sodium hydroxide and often used for less resistant hair or when some curl retention is desired.
- C. Cysteamine hydrochloride is a newer, milder alternative to thioglycolate for perms or gentle relaxers, not suitable for extremely resistant hair.
- D. Glyceryl monothioglycolate is typically found in acid-balanced perms and is too gentle for coarse, resistant hair relaxers.
Sodium Hydroxide Relaxers
Strongest type of chemical relaxer ('lye relaxer') with a high pH (12.5-13.5), used for extremely coarse, resistant hair to permanently straighten it.
- Highest pH among relaxers.
- Irreversibly breaks disulfide bonds.
- Requires careful application due to strength.
Memory trick: SODIUM HYDROXIDE is the SODIUM STRONGEST.