Which perm type has a high alkalinity?

Which perm type has a high alkalinity?

• A. Alkaline perms
• B. Acid perms
• C. Neutral perms
• D. Heat perms

Answer: (A)

High alkalinity in perm chemistry comes from a high pH environment. Alkaline perms use a strong base, typically ammonium thioglycolate, that raises the pH to around 9 or higher. This highly alkaline setting swells the hair and breaks disulfide bonds more readily, allowing the strands to be reshaped around rods. After wrapping, a neutralizer reforms the bonds in the new configuration. The other perm types operate at lower pH levels or rely on heat rather than a high alkaline environment, so they don’t achieve that high alkalinity.

High alkalinity in perm chemistry comes from a high pH environment. Alkaline perms use a strong base, typically ammonium thioglycolate, that raises the pH to around 9 or higher. This highly alkaline setting swells the hair and breaks disulfide bonds more readily, allowing the strands to be reshaped around rods. After wrapping, a neutralizer reforms the bonds in the new configuration. The other perm types operate at lower pH levels or rely on heat rather than a high alkaline environment, so they don’t achieve that high alkalinity.