Arizona Cosmetology Practice Exam

The permanent wave, often referred to as a perm, is specifically designed to create curls or waves in the hair. This process involves the use of chemicals to break down the hair's natural structure and reform it around curlers or rods. When the hair is treated with the perm solution, the disulfide bonds in the hair are altered, allowing the hair to be reshaped into curls or waves. After the processing time, a neutralizer is applied to lock in the new shape.

This technique differs significantly from other forms of chemical hair treatments. For example, a relaxer works to straighten the hair by breaking down the bonds in a way that reduces curl and frizz, rather than creating curls. Color treatments focus solely on altering the hair’s pigmentation and do not affect its structure to create waves or curls. Deep conditioning treatments primarily aim to improve hair health and moisture, without changing the hair's texture. Thus, a permanent wave is the distinctive choice for producing curls in the hair.