Massachusetts Board of Cosmetology Practice Exam

What is the process of perming hair known as?

1. Chemical straightening

2. Chemical waving

3. Curl enhancing

4. Heat styling

The correct answer is: Chemical waving

The process of perming hair is known as chemical waving, which refers to the use of chemical solutions to create waves or curls in the hair. During this process, the hair is typically wrapped around rods, and a perm solution is applied to break down the hair's internal protein structure. After that, a neutralizing solution is used to re-bond the hair and set it into the desired shape. The term "chemical waving" accurately describes this process, as it emphasizes the use of chemicals to achieve a wave or curl, which distinguishes it from methods that do not change the hair's internal structure permanently or semi-permanently. This is essential for stylists to understand, as it involves knowledge of the chemical formulations used and their interactions with different hair types. Options like chemical straightening and heat styling pertain to different processes for altering hair texture. Chemical straightening aims to permanently straighten hair, while heat styling involves using thermal tools to temporarily change the hair's appearance but does not involve chemical processes. Curl enhancing may refer to products that boost the appearance of natural curls, but it does not pertain to the transformational process of perming. Thus, chemical waving is the most accurate term for the perming process.