Which statement is true about acid perms?

Which statement is true about acid perms?

• A. They are generally processed with heat
• B. They are generally processed without heat
• C. They have high pH
• D. They are wrapped without tension

Answer: (A)

Acid perms rely on an acidic thioglycolate solution and need heat to activate and speed the chemical reaction. Heating helps the chemical penetrate the cortex, break and reform disulfide bonds more effectively, and set the curl around the rods. That’s why acid waves are generally processed with heat rather than without. Their pH is lower (acidic) compared to alkaline perms, so they aren’t characterized by high pH. Wrap tension matters for shaping, but acid perms aren’t defined by being wrapped without tension; appropriate tension is used to create the expected curl.

Acid perms rely on an acidic thioglycolate solution and need heat to activate and speed the chemical reaction. Heating helps the chemical penetrate the cortex, break and reform disulfide bonds more effectively, and set the curl around the rods. That’s why acid waves are generally processed with heat rather than without. Their pH is lower (acidic) compared to alkaline perms, so they aren’t characterized by high pH. Wrap tension matters for shaping, but acid perms aren’t defined by being wrapped without tension; appropriate tension is used to create the expected curl.