Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Lifestyle & Hobbies

Should I Get a Perm? Find Out with This Quick Quiz

Quick, free perm type quiz to see what suits you. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Rolin BijuUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper cutout curled hair shapes and quiz headline on sky blue background inviting you to test perm hairstyle knowledge

This quiz helps you decide if you should get a perm, based on your hair, upkeep, and style goals. To learn more, check your strands with our hair type quiz, explore your texture with a curl pattern quiz, or try what hairstyle should i get for cut ideas.

What does the term perm stand for in hairstyling?
Personal elastic
Permanent curl
Periodic model
Permanent wave
The word perm is short for permanent wave, indicating a long-lasting curl created by chemical treatment. This process restructures hair bonds to hold a new shape. It became popular in the early 20th century and remains a classic styling option.
Which type of bond in the hair fiber is primarily broken and reformed during a perm?
Peptide bonds
Disulfide bonds
Salt bonds
Hydrogen bonds
Perm solutions target disulfide bonds, the strong sulfur-sulfur links between cysteine amino acids. Breaking and reforming these bonds allows hair to take on a new shape. Salt and hydrogen bonds are weaker and re-form naturally with moisture or heat.
Which hair type is generally considered most suitable for achieving uniform perm curls?
Chemically straightened hair
Normal hair with minimal damage
Extremely fine hair
Severely damaged hair
Hair that is in healthy, normal condition holds a perm most evenly. Damaged or over-processed hair may break or fail to take curl consistently. Very fine hair can overprocess quickly, while chemically straightened hair may react unpredictably.
Which tool determines the size of the curls when performing a perm?
Round brush
Curling iron
Diffuser
Perm rod
Perm rods come in various diameters and determine curl sizefrom tight ringlets to loose waves. The hair is wrapped around these rods before applying the chemical solution. Other styling tools shape hair temporarily but do not affect the perms chemical restructure.
What is the primary purpose of the neutralizer in a perm process?
Add conditioning proteins
Open the hairs cuticle
Remove excess moisture
Reform disulfide bonds into their new shape
After reducing agents break the disulfide bonds, the neutralizer (an oxidizing agent) reformulates those bonds to lock in the new curl pattern. Without neutralization, the hair would revert to its natural state. This step also helps close the cuticle and restore hair pH.
What is the typical pH range of most cold-wave perm solutions?
7.0 to 7.5
5.0 to 6.0
8.0 to 9.5
3.0 to 4.0
Cold-wave perms use alkaline solutions (pH around 8.09.5) to swell the hair shaft and break disulfide bonds. A higher pH helps open the cuticle and allows reducing agents deeper access. Acid perms use lower pH but are less common.
Which hair condition is typically contraindicated for receiving a perm?
Hair previously treated with a strong chemical relaxer
Virgin hair
Color-treated hair
Hair with low porosity
Hair that has been chemically relaxed is already compromised and may break under perm chemicals. The strong alkali used in both processes can overprocess and damage the hair. Virgin or color-treated hair can often handle perms with proper analysis.
What characteristic defines an exothermic perm solution?
It lowers scalp temperature
It requires external heat sources only
It neutralizes cuticle moisture
It generates heat during the chemical reaction
Exothermic perms contain ingredients that react and release heat, speeding up the processing time. The natural heat accelerates the bond-breaking process, which can result in faster results. Cold-wave perms, by contrast, rely solely on external heat or room temperature.
Which reducing agent is most commonly used in an alkaline perm solution?
Sodium bromate
Glyceryl monothioglycolate
Hydrogen peroxide
Ammonium thioglycolate
Ammonium thioglycolate is the standard reducing agent in alkaline perm solutions because it effectively breaks disulfide bonds at a higher pH. Other thiol derivatives exist but are less commonly used in classic cold-wave systems. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizer used in neutralizers, not reducing.
In a bricklay perm wrap, how are the rods positioned?
Vertically in straight columns
Alternating horizontally in staggered rows
In concentric circles around the crown
Diagonally across the head
The bricklay wrap offsets rods in each row, similar to laying bricks, to prevent gaps and create an even curl distribution. This technique helps avoid obvious parting lines and produces a more natural result. It is ideal for blending multiple curl sizes.
When is the correct time to perform a test curl during the perm process?
After the recommended processing time, before applying neutralizer
Immediately after towel-drying the hair
Before applying any perm solution
Only after neutralizing and shampooing
A test curl is done once the perm solution has processed for the recommended time but before the neutralizer is applied. This allows you to check curl formation without prematurely locking bonds. If the curl is too loose, additional processing time can be added.
Which perm wrapping technique specifically uses half off-base tension for a softer curl?
Spiral perm wrap
Piggyback wrap
Half-off-base wrap
Concave perm wrap
The half-off-base wrap places the rod at a 90-degree angle to the section, creating softer, more natural-looking curls with less scalp tension. Its often used along the hairline to prevent too much lift. Other techniques change direction or use multiple rods.
What fundamental chemical process occurs during perming to change hair shape?
Oxidation of hydrogen bonds then reduction
Thermal coagulation of keratin
Hydrolysis of peptide bonds
Reduction of disulfide bonds followed by oxidation
Perming involves a two-step chemical reaction: first, the reducing agent cleaves the disulfide bonds in keratin, allowing hair to be reshaped around rods. After shaping, an oxidizer (neutralizer) reforms these bonds in their new positions. This reduction-oxidation sequence is essential for permanent change.
0
{"name":"What does the term perm stand for in hairstyling?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What does the term perm stand for in hairstyling?, Which type of bond in the hair fiber is primarily broken and reformed during a perm?, Which hair type is generally considered most suitable for achieving uniform perm curls?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the Perm Process -

    Learn how a chemical wave treatment works to reshape hair structure and what to expect during each step of the perm.

  2. Identify Hair-Type Suitability -

    Evaluate different textures, porosity levels, and hair conditions to determine if a perm is right for your strands.

  3. Evaluate Ideal Curl Patterns -

    Analyze various wave patterns and curl sizes to pinpoint which style complements your face shape and personal aesthetic.

  4. Apply Aftercare Techniques -

    Discover essential maintenance and styling tips to keep your new curls healthy, bouncy, and long-lasting.

  5. Compare Perm Style Options -

    Contrast classic, spiral, and body-wave perms to find the hairstyle that best fits your lifestyle and grooming routine.

  6. Decide on Perm Readiness -

    Assess your curl IQ and confidence level to determine if it's the perfect time to transform your look with a perm.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Hair Porosity and Perm Uptake -

    Understanding hair porosity is key when you take the "should i get a perm quiz" and determine how well your hair will absorb waving lotion. Low-porosity hair may require gentle heat or pre-conditioning, while high-porosity hair needs added moisture to prevent over-processing. Use the float test (hair strand in water) as a quick at-home check endorsed by cosmetology programs at university salons.

  2. Rod Size and Wave Pattern -

    Perm curl size follows a simple inverse rule: smaller rods yield tighter curls, larger rods give loose waves - you can think "rod down, curl up." Spiral perms use rods wrapped vertically for springy corkscrews, while body wave perms use horizontal wraps for soft S-shaped waves, as outlined in industry guides from P&G Beauty. Practicing on a wig head (often supplied in cosmetology labs) helps you visualize each wave pattern before committing.

  3. Chemistry of Perming -

    The two-step perm process breaks and reforms disulfide bonds with ammonium thioglycolate (reducing agent) and hydrogen peroxide (neutralizer). A handy mnemonic is "Break then Bond" to remember reduction then oxidation, a method detailed in cosmetic chemistry texts at research repositories like PubChem. Timing and pH control (around pH 8 - 9 for waving lotion) are vital - deviation by even 0.5 units can alter curl strength.

  4. Pre-Perm Preparation -

    Healthy hair equals better perm results, so schedule a protein-moisture balance treatment 48 hours beforehand - often labeled "moist before the twist." This step, recommended by university extension programs, ensures cuticles are supple and ready for waving lotion. Avoid coloring or clarifying shampoos right before your appointment to maintain optimal hair integrity.

  5. Post-Perm Care and Styling -

    After neutralizing, use a pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner designed for curls to lock in shape - look for labels like "perm hair knowledge quiz approved" on professional salon lines. Apply the L.O.C. method (Leave-in, Oil, Cream) to keep strands hydrated and minimize frizz, a strategy taught in cosmetology certification courses. Sleep on a silk pillowcase and refresh curls with a spray bottle of water mixed with leave-in conditioner.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Hobbies & Leisure Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker