Ohio Cosmetology License Practice Exam

Which chemical process is used to curl hair?

1. Blow drying

2. Straightening

3. Perming

4. Flat ironing

The correct answer is: Perming

The chemical process used to curl hair is perming. Perming involves using chemicals to break and reform the hair's natural bonds, allowing the stylist to create curls or waves that can last for several weeks to months. During a perm, the hair is wrapped around rods or rollers, and a perm solution is applied to alter the hair's structure. After the desired curl pattern is achieved, a neutralizer is used to set the new shape, making it a permanent change until the curls grow out or are chemically altered again. Other processes mentioned, such as blow drying, straightening, and flat ironing, do not involve chemical changes to the hair. Blow drying is a styling technique that uses heat to dry hair and can create volume or smoothness but does not alter the hair's natural shape. Straightening and flat ironing are methods used to temporarily straighten the hair using heat but do not involve any change at a chemical level that allows for long-lasting curl formation.