What does it mean when a perm has high alkalinity?

What does it mean when a perm has high alkalinity?

• A. Use caution to prevent damage to the hair structure or chemical burns to the skin
• B. It processes faster but is safer
• C. It has lower pH
• D. It is weaker than acid perms

Answer: (A)

High alkalinity means the perm solution has a high pH, which causes the hair cuticle to lift more and the disulfide bonds to break more quickly. This makes processing faster, but it also increases the risk of over-processing and damage to the hair’s internal structure, as well as a higher chance of chemical burns to the skin if there’s contact with the scalp or mishandling. Because the action is stronger, extra care is needed to protect the scalp and monitor processing time. It does not mean a lower pH or a weaker product; instead, it reflects a more aggressive chemical action, which is why the option about using caution to prevent damage is the best description.

High alkalinity means the perm solution has a high pH, which causes the hair cuticle to lift more and the disulfide bonds to break more quickly. This makes processing faster, but it also increases the risk of over-processing and damage to the hair’s internal structure, as well as a higher chance of chemical burns to the skin if there’s contact with the scalp or mishandling. Because the action is stronger, extra care is needed to protect the scalp and monitor processing time. It does not mean a lower pH or a weaker product; instead, it reflects a more aggressive chemical action, which is why the option about using caution to prevent damage is the best description.