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Quizzes > Lifestyle & Hobbies

Permanent Waving Quiz: Test Your Salon-Ready Skills

Quick, free quiz on base control in perms and more. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Journey MedinaUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art perm wave quiz title with curling rods combs solution bottles on golden yellow background

This permanent waving quiz helps you check your chemical wave skills, including base control, rod choice, and safety. Get instant feedback as you go, and keep learning with the alkaline perms quiz, pincurl base control, and a broader cosmetology practice test for exam prep too.

What is the primary function of the waving lotion in a perm?
Add shine to hair
Neutralize hair
Rebuild protein chains
Break disulfide bonds
The waving lotion contains a reducing agent that breaks disulfide bonds in the hair's cortex, allowing the hair to be reshaped around rods. Without this bond reduction, the hair would not form and hold new curls. After shaping, these bonds are re-oxidized by the neutralizer to lock in the curl pattern. For more details, see .
Which type of chemical bond in hair is primarily targeted during the perming process?
Salt bonds
Hydrogen bonds
Disulfide bonds
Peptide bonds
Disulfide bonds are strong covalent links between sulfur atoms of cysteine residues in keratin. They determine hair's natural shape and strength. Perm solutions reduce these bonds so the hair can be reshaped and then neutralizers reform them to set the new shape. For more information, see .
What perm rod shape produces tight, spiral curls?
Straight rod
Spiral rod
Loop rod
Concave rod
Spiral rods are designed to wrap hair diagonally, creating a corkscrew effect and tight, uniform spirals. Concave rods produce curls that are tighter in the center and looser at the ends. Straight rods yield consistent, uniform curls. Loop rods are rarely used for standard perms. See .
In perm wrapping, what determines the size of the curl?
Lotion pH
Hair porosity
Neutralizer strength
Rod diameter
The diameter of the rod directly controls the curl's size: smaller rods produce tighter curls, while larger rods deliver looser waves. While porosity and lotion strength affect processing time and bond reduction, they do not change curl size. Neutralizer strength locks the curl but doesn't alter its diameter. Learn more at .
Which active ingredient is most common in alkaline perms?
Glyceryl monothioglycolate
Ammonium thioglycolate
Hydrogen peroxide
Sodium hydroxide
Ammonium thioglycolate (ATG) is the primary reducing agent in alkaline perms, operating at a higher pH to swell the cuticle and reduce disulfide bonds quickly. Glyceryl monothioglycolate is used in acid perms. Hydrogen peroxide is a neutralizer oxidizer, and sodium hydroxide is used in straightening solutions. See .
Why is hair rinsed with warm water after the waving solution is removed?
To neutralize the solution
To stop the waving process
To add moisture
To open the cuticle
Rinsing with warm water removes excess waving lotion, halting further reduction of disulfide bonds. Without a thorough rinse, the neutralizer cannot properly reform the bonds. Warm water helps keep the cuticle open long enough to remove all residual chemicals. More at .
Hair porosity refers to?
Density per square inch
Elasticity under tension
The hair's ability to absorb moisture
Cuticle thickness
Porosity measures how easily hair absorbs and retains moisture or chemicals, affecting processing time and product uptake. Higher porosity speeds chemical penetration but can also lead to overprocessing. Low-porosity hair resists moisture and chemicals, requiring more time or higher heat. For further reading, see .
What is the purpose of applying end papers during perm wrapping?
To increase rod tension
To prevent fishhooks at the ends
To seal the cuticle
To neutralize the solution
End papers hold hair ends neatly against the rod, preventing snagged or folded ends (fishhooks) and ensuring a smooth wrap. They also help distribute tension evenly along the rod. They do not seal the cuticle or neutralize chemicals. More details at .
Which perm wrap uses alternating sections to create natural-looking curls without splits?
Spiral perm wrap
Bricklay perm wrap
Basic wrap
Double flat wrap
Bricklay perm wrap staggers rods in alternating rows, similar to brickwork, preventing splits between curls and creating a more natural fall. Spiral wraps form corkscrew curls, while basic wraps line rods in straight rows. Double flat wraps are used for fragile ends. See .
What is the typical pH range of an acid perm solution?
7.5 to 8.5
3.0 to 4.0
4.5 to 7.0
8.0 to 9.5
Acid perms use glyceryl monothioglycolate and operate at a pH between 4.5 and 7.0 to minimize cuticle swelling and provide gentler processing. Alkaline perms run at higher pH. This lower range helps protect wavy or color-treated hair. See .
Glyceryl monothioglycolate (GMTG) is primarily used in which type of perm?
Thio-free perm
Alkaline perm
Exothermic perm
Acid perm
GMTG is the reducing agent of choice in acid perms because it works gently at a lower pH, resulting in less cuticle damage and more controlled curl formation. Alkaline and exothermic perms use ammonium thioglycolate, while thio-free systems use cysteamine. For more, see .
Which sign indicates a perm is overprocessed?
Curls are uniform
Ends remain straight
Hair is overly curly and dry with breakage
Hair is slightly wavy
Overprocessed hair will be excessively tight, dry, brittle, and may break off at the ends due to too much bond reduction. Slight waviness indicates underprocessing, while uniform curls suggest correct processing. Proper timing and strand testing help avoid this. See .
Endothermic perms require what to activate the waving solution?
Off-base tension
External heat
Neutralizer
Cold water
Endothermic perms need an external heat source, usually a hood dryer, to provide energy for the waving solution to reduce disulfide bonds. Exothermic perms generate their own heat through a chemical reaction. Cold water or neutralizer will not activate the lotion. More at .
What is the function of a neutralizer in the perm process?
Break more bonds
Raise the cuticle
Condition the hair
Oxidize disulfide bonds to lock curls
Neutralizers contain oxidizing agents like hydrogen peroxide that reform disulfide bonds by oxidation, locking in the new curl shape. They do not break bonds, raise the cuticle further, or act as deep conditioners. Proper neutralization is essential for curl longevity. See .
Which wrap technique uses a smaller base at the scalp that follows the head's curvature?
Basic wrap
Curvature perm wrap
Spiral perm wrap
Bricklay perm wrap
Curvature wraps match the natural curve of the head by using sections that follow the head shape, ensuring even tension and consistent curl pattern. Bricklay staggers rods, spiral creates corkscrews, and basic wraps line rods in straight rows. See .
On-base, half-off-base, and off-base refer to what aspect of perm wrapping?
Rod placement angles
Perm solution strength
Neutralizer timing
Hair porosity types
These terms describe how much of the rod's base section extends beyond the scalp, affecting volume and tension. On-base gives maximum lift, half-off-base moderate volume, and off-base minimal volume. They do not refer to solution strength or timing. More here: .
A preliminary strand test in perming determines what?
Processing time and curl formation
Cuticle thickness
Neutralizer potency
Final hair color
A strand test simulates the full perm process on a small section, revealing the optimal processing time and resulting curl pattern. It helps avoid overprocessing or underprocessing and prevents damage. It does not measure neutralizer strength or color. See .
What could cause a perm to become too weak or loose?
Excessive rod tension
Low porosity hair
Strong neutralizer
Insufficient processing time
Underprocessing due to too short a time frame leaves insufficient bond reduction, resulting in loose or undefined curls. Low porosity hair affects penetration but doesn't alone cause weak results. Excessive tension tightens curls, and neutralizer strength only locks in what's already formed. More at .
The "double flat wrap" technique is best for which hair type?
Creating spiral curls
Fine or damaged hair requiring minimal tension
Thick coarse hair
Exothermic perms only
The double flat wrap uses two end papers and flat wrapping on both sides of the rod to distribute tension evenly, protecting fragile or fine hair from breakage. It is not used for spiral curls or thick hair. It works with any perm type. See .
In the chemical structure of hair, disulfide bonds are formed between which amino acid residues?
Cysteine
Lysine
Methionine
Proline
Disulfide bonds form between the sulfhydryl groups of two cysteine amino acid residues, creating cystine links that give hair its structural integrity and shape. Other amino acids do not form these covalent links. See .
Which factor does NOT influence the perm solution's penetration rate?
Hair porosity
Sectioning technique
Hair density
Heat application
Porosity, heat, and wrapping technique directly affect how quickly the waving lotion penetrates the cortex. Hair density (number of hairs per square inch) does not change the chemical's penetration rate into each strand. It may affect overall product quantity but not individual penetration. More at .
When performing a thio-free perm, which reducing agent is commonly used?
Sodium bromate
Cysteamine hydrochloride
Glyceryl monothioglycolate
Ammonium thioglycolate
Thio-free perms replace traditional thiol-based ATG with cysteamine hydrochloride, which has less odor and gentler performance. ATG and GMTG are thioglycolate-based, while sodium bromate is not used as a reducing agent. See .
What is the purpose of the cotton strips placed at the hairline during a perm?
To assist in neutralizing
To absorb excess solution and protect skin
To mark section beginnings
To provide additional tension
Cotton strips around the hairline absorb drips of waving lotion or neutralizer, preventing skin irritation and chemical burns. They also protect the client's forehead and neck. They are not used for tension or neutralization. For more, see .
Which phenomenon occurs when hydrogen peroxide is used in the neutralizer?
Reduction of disulfide bonds
Hydrolysis of peptide bonds
Oxidation of reduced disulfide bonds
Swelling of the cortex
Hydrogen peroxide in the neutralizer oxidizes the free sulfhydryl groups, reforming disulfide bonds and locking the hair into its new shape. It does not reduce bonds, break peptide bonds, or swell the cortex. See .
A coarse hair texture generally requires what kind of perm solution?
Weaker solution with lower concentration
Heat-activated perm only
Stronger solution with higher concentration
Acid perm only
Coarse hair has more disulfide bonds and a denser cuticle, so it requires a stronger or higher concentration waving lotion for adequate bond reduction. Fine hair needs gentler formulas. Acid or heat perms may be chosen but are not the sole requirement. More at .
The no-base perm application technique is specifically designed for?
Scalp-sensitive clients
Clients needing maximum volume
Thick coarse hair
Fine hair requiring strong curls
No-base perms require no protective cream at the scalp because the formula is gentle enough to avoid irritation, making it ideal for scalp-sensitive or chemically damaged clients. It is not intended for coarse hair volume enhancement. For more, see .
What is the effect of excessive heat during an exothermic perm?
Decreased curl firmness
Delayed neutralization
Accelerated processing and possible damage
Inhibited bond reduction
Excessive heat speeds up the chemical reaction of an exothermic perm, which can lead to overprocessing, dryness, and hair damage. Controlled heat is essential for a safe, even curl pattern. Inhibited reduction or decreased firmness are not typical outcomes. See .
The "zonal perm" technique refers to what practice?
Using only one rod size for the entire head
Applying different perm solutions to specific head areas
Rinsing each section separately
Wrapping hair at the same direction in all zones
Zonal perming customizes the service by dividing the head into distinct zones and applying different solutions or techniques based on hair texture and density. This tailored approach addresses varied needs across the head. It is not simply about rod size or rinse patterns. Learn more at .
How does the ionic strength of the perm solution influence the waving process?
It affects the swelling of the hair fiber and solution diffusion
It changes hair color
It only impacts neutralizing
It determines rod diameter to use
Ionic strength, driven by salt content, controls how much the hair fiber swells and how easily the waving solution diffuses into the cortex. Proper ionic balance ensures effective bond breakage without excessive swelling or damage. It does not directly alter color or rod choice. For further reading, see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand hair structure and bond chemistry -

    Recognize how disulfide bonds in the hair cortex interact with permanent waving and chemical waving solutions to reform new textures.

  2. Outline key steps in chemical waving procedures -

    Detail the sequence of wrapping, processing, rinsing, and neutralizing in a chemical wave service to achieve reliable results.

  3. Compare permanent wave solutions -

    Assess alkaline, acid-balanced, and low-pH permanent wave solutions based on hair porosity and desired curl patterns.

  4. Implement proper rod placement for wave patterns -

    Use varied rod sizes and base directions to create uniform curls or body waves in a permanent waving service.

  5. Evaluate neutralization and finishing techniques -

    Determine optimal neutralizing agents and post-wave care to lock in curls and maintain hair health after permanent waving.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Disulfide Bond Mechanics -

    Permanent waving targets the hair's disulfide bonds ( - S - S - ), which give hair its strength and shape. Reducing agents like ammonium thioglycolate break these bonds (R - S - S - R → 2 R - SH), allowing hair to reform in a new curl pattern (Journal of Cosmetic Science).

  2. Acid vs. Alkaline Permanent Waving -

    Alkaline perms use ammonium thioglycolate at pH 8.2 - 9.6 for faster processing at room temperature, while acid perms use glyceryl monothioglycolate at pH 6.9 - 7.2 and often require heat (Pivot Point Lab Manual). Remember "A for Alka, Rapid Action" to recall the faster, heat-free method.

  3. Rod Selection & Wrapping Patterns -

    Rod diameter directly controls curl size: smaller rods yield tighter curls, larger rods give loose waves. Use the ratio of rod circumference to hair length (e.g., a ½" rod for 1" hair length) and choose spiral or bricklay patterns for uniform volume (Milady's Standard Cosmetology).

  4. Neutralization Chemistry -

    After rinsing the reducing solution, neutralizers (often hydrogen peroxide 1 - 3 vol) re-oxidize sulfhydryl groups back into disulfide bonds (2 R - SH + H₂O₂ → R - S - S - R + 2 H₂O), "locking in" the new curl structure (American Academy of Dermatology).

  5. Strand Test & Elasticity Check -

    Perform a strand test by wrapping a small section on a test rod and processing according to manufacturer guidelines to predict curl formation and timing accuracy. Use the three-second stretch test - hair should stretch about 50% and return to its original length without breaking - to assess porosity and health (Cosmetology Board of Texas).

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