Cosmetology Hair Coloring and Color Theory 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of hair color only coats the outside of the hair shaft and typically fades within 4–6 shampoos?
- Permanent color
- Semi-permanent color
- Temporary color (Correct answer)
- Demi-permanent color
Correct answer: Temporary color
Temporary color rests on the surface of the hair cuticle without penetrating the cortex and washes out after a few shampoos.
Question 2: How does permanent hair color deposit color into the hair?
- It coats the outside of the hair shaft with large pigment molecules
- It opens the cuticle and deposits color into the cortex (Correct answer)
- It adheres color only to the surface of the hair
- It fills porous areas of the hair with synthetic dye
Correct answer: It opens the cuticle and deposits color into the cortex
Permanent hair color uses an alkaline agent to swell and open the cuticle, allowing oxidative dye molecules to penetrate and develop color in the cortex.
Question 3: What developer strength (volume) is most commonly used when applying permanent color to cover gray hair?
- 10 volume
- 20 volume (Correct answer)
- 30 volume
- 40 volume
Correct answer: 20 volume
20-volume developer is the standard choice for covering gray hair, providing enough lift and oxidation to deposit color without excessive lightening.
Question 4: A double-process color service involves which two steps?
- Applying two permanent colors simultaneously to the hair
- Pre-lightening the hair and then applying toner or haircolor (Correct answer)
- Applying semi-permanent color twice for greater color depth
- Using two different developer volumes in one application
Correct answer: Pre-lightening the hair and then applying toner or haircolor
A double-process service first lightens the hair (pre-lightening), then applies a toner or haircolor to achieve the desired shade.
Question 5: Demi-permanent (deposit-only) color differs from permanent color primarily because it uses:
- A very low-volume hydrogen peroxide developer (Correct answer)
- Ammonia as its primary alkaline agent
- No oxidizing agent of any kind
- A higher concentration of synthetic dyes
Correct answer: A very low-volume hydrogen peroxide developer
Demi-permanent color uses a low-volume (5–10) hydrogen peroxide developer instead of the stronger developer in permanent color, so it deposits without significant lift.
Question 6: What is the purpose of performing a strand test before a hair color service?
- To check for allergic reactions to the hair color
- To determine processing time and preview the color result (Correct answer)
- To measure the hair's porosity before coloring
- To assess the hair's elasticity before applying chemicals
Correct answer: To determine processing time and preview the color result
A strand test shows the colorist how the hair will respond to the formula by previewing the final color and checking whether processing time is correct.
Question 7: How far in advance of a chemical hair color service should a patch (predisposition) test be performed?
- 1 hour before
- 12–24 hours before
- 24–48 hours before (Correct answer)
- 72 hours before
Correct answer: 24–48 hours before
A patch test should be performed 24–48 hours before a chemical service to allow enough time for an allergic reaction to develop and be observed.
Cosmetology Hair Coloring and Color Theory 2
Which type of hair color only coats the outside of the hair shaft and typically fades within 4–6 shampoos?