Chemical Services & Safety Flashcards

Which chemical in permanent wave solutions breaks the disulfide bonds in hair?

Answer: Ammonium thioglycolate

Ammonium thioglycolate is the reducing agent in acid and alkaline waves that breaks disulfide bonds so hair can be reshaped.

What is the recommended PPE when applying a chemical relaxer to a client's scalp?

Answer: Gloves and protective apron

Gloves and a protective apron protect both the stylist's skin and clothing from caustic relaxer chemicals.

A client develops redness and itching immediately after a relaxer application. What is the FIRST action?

Answer: Rinse the relaxer off immediately

Immediate rinsing removes the caustic chemical and reduces further scalp irritation or chemical burns.

In the context of chemical relaxers, what does 'lanthionization' refer to?

Answer: The permanent breaking and re-forming of hair bonds with a sulfur link

Lanthionization is the irreversible process where sodium hydroxide converts disulfide bonds into lanthionine bonds, permanently straightening hair.

Which factor most affects how quickly a chemical relaxer processes?

Answer: Scalp and room temperature

Higher temperatures accelerate the chemical reaction, so scalp heat and ambient temperature significantly impact relaxer processing time.

A 'thio' relaxer differs from a sodium hydroxide relaxer primarily because it:

Answer: Can be neutralized and therefore its effects are reversible

Thio relaxers use ammonium thioglycolate and can be neutralized with hydrogen peroxide, unlike lye relaxers that cause permanent lanthionization.

When performing a strand test before a chemical service, what information does it provide?

Answer: Processing time and expected results without risking the full head

A strand test reveals how the hair responds to the chemical and how long processing should take before full application.