Chemical Texture Services Flashcards

What is the correct procedure if a client reports a burning sensation during a relaxer service?

Answer: Immediately rinse the product from the hair and scalp with lukewarm water

If a client reports burning or irritation during a relaxer service, the product must be immediately rinsed from the hair and scalp with lukewarm water. Chemical burns from relaxers can be severe, and client safety always comes first.

What is a thio relaxer?

Answer: A relaxer that uses ammonium thioglycolate as the active ingredient and is similar to perm chemistry

A thio relaxer uses ammonium thioglycolate (the same reducing agent as alkaline perms) to break disulfide bonds. Unlike hydroxide relaxers, thio relaxers require a separate neutralization step and the process is potentially reversible.

What is the key difference between hydroxide relaxers and thio relaxers in terms of bond chemistry?

Answer: Hydroxide relaxers convert disulfide bonds to lanthionine bonds permanently; thio relaxers break and reform disulfide bonds

Hydroxide relaxers break disulfide bonds and convert them to single lanthionine bonds — a permanent, irreversible change. Thio relaxers break disulfide bonds but can reform them with a neutralizer, similar to perming chemistry.

What rod placement pattern uses rods positioned in rows following the head's curvature?

Answer: Straight set or nine-section pattern

The straight set (also called the nine-section or basic pattern) places rods in straight, parallel rows following the curvature of the head. It is the most common and traditional perm wrapping pattern.

What is a brick-lay perm wrap pattern?

Answer: Rods are offset in alternating rows like bricks in a wall to avoid visible splits between sections

The brick-lay pattern offsets each row of rods so they sit between the partings of the row above, similar to a brick wall. This prevents visible splits or separations in the finished curl pattern.

Why is it important to avoid stretching or pulling the hair tightly when wrapping perm rods?

Answer: Excessive tension can cause hair breakage and scalp irritation during chemical processing

Wrapping too tightly puts excessive tension on the hair shaft and follicle. During chemical processing, this tension combined with the weakening of the bonds can cause breakage, band marks, or scalp irritation and damage.