Texas Class A Barber Written ExamChemical ServicesMedium
A barber is performing a permanent waving service. After applying the waving lotion and processing, the hair is thoroughly rinsed while still on the rods. What is the chemical purpose of this rinsing step before applying the neutralizer?
- ATo swell the hair cuticle for better neutralizer penetration.
- BTo allow the hair to cool down and set the curl.
- CTo remove excess waving lotion and prevent over-processing.
- DTo activate the neutralizer before it's applied.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. To remove excess waving lotion and prevent over-processing.
Thoroughly rinsing the hair while it's still on the rods after processing is crucial. This step removes the excess waving lotion, which contains the reducing agent, thereby stopping the chemical action and preventing further breakdown of the disulfide bonds (over-processing).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Rinsing closes the cuticle slightly, it doesn't swell it, and swelling isn't the primary purpose here.
- B. While the hair cools, the primary chemical purpose is to stop the processing action of the waving lotion.
- D. Rinsing does not activate the neutralizer; the neutralizer is a separate chemical agent.
Permanent Wave Rinse (Post-Processing)
The critical step of thoroughly rinsing the waving lotion from the hair while it is still wound on perm rods, after the desired curl pattern has formed and before applying the neutralizer, to halt the chemical reduction process.
- Removes reducing agent.
- Stops chemical action.
- Prevents over-processing.
- Prepares hair for neutralization.
Memory trick: Rinse to Rescue, Release the Reagent!