Cosmetology and Beauty Cosmetology and Beauty Chemical Treatments & Formulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the pH range of the hair and scalp at its natural state?
- 2.0–3.5
- 4.5–5.5 (Correct answer)
- 6.5–7.5
- 8.0–9.0
Correct answer: 4.5–5.5
The hair and scalp naturally have a slightly acidic pH of 4.5–5.5, which keeps the cuticle closed and the hair healthy.
Question 2: In a perm service, what is the role of the neutralizer?
- To soften disulfide bonds before waving
- To re-form disulfide bonds and lock in the wave pattern (Correct answer)
- To remove excess waving solution from the hair
- To condition the hair after the service
Correct answer: To re-form disulfide bonds and lock in the wave pattern
The neutralizer (typically hydrogen peroxide) re-oxidizes the broken disulfide bonds, permanently setting the hair into the new wave shape.
Question 3: Which type of hair bleach provides the highest lift for lightening services?
- On-scalp cream bleach
- Off-scalp powder lightener with 40-volume developer (Correct answer)
- Highlighting shampoo bleach
- Low-volume oil bleach
Correct answer: Off-scalp powder lightener with 40-volume developer
Off-scalp powder lighteners mixed with 40-volume developer provide the maximum lift, ideal for techniques like highlights and balayage.
Question 4: What is a strand test used to determine before a chemical service?
- The client's skin type
- Processing time, color results, and hair integrity (Correct answer)
- The exact shade of developer needed
- Whether the client is allergic to the product
Correct answer: Processing time, color results, and hair integrity
A strand test checks how the hair will respond to a chemical service by evaluating timing, color outcome, and structural integrity beforehand.
Question 5: Toners in hair coloring are typically applied after lightening to achieve which result?
- Add permanent color to dark roots
- Neutralize unwanted warm or brassy tones (Correct answer)
- Increase the hair's porosity
- Deposit protein into the cortex
Correct answer: Neutralize unwanted warm or brassy tones
Toners are semi- or demi-permanent colors applied to pre-lightened hair to cancel brassy, yellow, or orange undertones.
Question 6: Which law of color explains why a violet toner cancels out yellow tones in bleached hair?
- The law of saturation
- The law of complementary colors (Correct answer)
- The law of primary color mixing
- The law of color reflection
Correct answer: The law of complementary colors
Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel and neutralize each other when combined, so violet cancels yellow.
Cosmetology and Beauty Cosmetology and Beauty Chemical Treatments & Formulations 2
What is the pH range of the hair and scalp at its natural state?