A barber is performing a permanent waving service on a client with extremely resistant, coarse hair. To ensure the perm takes effectively and provides a lasting curl, which type of permanent waving solution would be most appropriate?
- AAmmonia-free perm with a gentle formula.
- BAlkaline (cold) perm with a high pH.
- CAcid-balanced perm with a low pH.
- DThio-free perm with a mild reducing agent.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Alkaline (cold) perm with a high pH.
Extremely resistant, coarse hair has a tightly packed cuticle layer that is difficult for perm solutions to penetrate. Alkaline (cold) perms, characterized by a high pH (typically 9.0-9.6) and ammonium thioglycolate, are formulated with strong reducing agents that effectively swell the cuticle and break the disulfide bonds in resistant hair, ensuring a strong, lasting curl.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Ammonia-free perms are generally milder and would not be strong enough for extremely resistant hair.
- C. Acid-balanced perms are gentler and have a lower pH, making them unsuitable for resistant, coarse hair.
- D. Thio-free perms are often milder and would not provide sufficient strength for extremely resistant hair.
Alkaline Perms for Resistant Hair
Permanent waving solutions with a high pH (9.0-9.6) that use ammonium thioglycolate as the primary reducing agent, specifically formulated to penetrate the tightly packed cuticle of resistant, coarse, or strong hair types to create firm, lasting curls.
- High pH (9.0-9.6).
- Uses ammonium thioglycolate.
- Strongest perm type.
- Best for resistant, coarse, or strong hair.
Memory trick: Resistant Hair? Reach for Robust, Really Radical Solutions!