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🇺🇸 Cosmetology License Exam · flashcards
Cosmetology License Exam Chemical Texture Services Flashcards
60 question-and-answer cards covering Chemical Texture Services as it is examined in Cosmetology License Exam. 24 of them are printed below, taken from across the deck — no signup, no paywall on the preview.
24 sample cards from the Chemical Texture Services deck
Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.
What does 'lanthionization' refer to in hydroxide relaxing?
The permanent conversion of disulfide bonds into lanthionine bonds; this break is irreversible, which is why hydroxide and thio chemistry should never be combined.
What are the three main types of metal/ion no-lye relaxers?
Guanidine hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, and potassium/ammonium-based hydroxide relaxers (lithium and potassium are marketed as 'no-mix, no-lye').
How is a guanidine hydroxide (no-lye) relaxer mixed and how does it compare to lye relaxers?
It is mixed by combining calcium hydroxide (cream) with guanidine carbonate (activator). It is gentler on the scalp but can leave hair drier and may cause calcium buildup.
Why are 'no-lye' relaxers often recommended for sensitive scalps?
They have a slightly lower pH and are less irritating to the scalp than sodium hydroxide, reducing the chance of scalp burns.
What is the purpose of a strand test before a relaxer service?
To determine how the hair will react, the correct processing time, and the degree of straightening before applying product to the whole head.
What is a base cream (protective base) and where is it applied in a relaxer service?
An oily cream applied to the entire scalp (and sometimes hairline/ears) to protect the skin from the caustic relaxer chemical.
What is the difference between a 'base' and a 'no-base' relaxer?
A base relaxer requires applying protective base cream to the entire scalp before use; a no-base relaxer contains a built-in protective base that melts at body temperature, so only the hairline/ears are protected.
In what order is relaxer applied to virgin hair, and why?
Apply first to the most resistant area, usually 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from the scalp (where body heat and prior application speed processing), then work toward the ends, applying last near the scalp.
What does 'smoothing' accomplish during the relaxer application?
Gently working the relaxer through the hair (with fingers or comb back) to straighten the curl while the chemical is processing.
How is a hydroxide relaxer neutralized, and why is this step critical?
By rinsing thoroughly and using an acid-balanced neutralizing (normalizing) shampoo that lowers the pH back to normal and stops the relaxing action; failure to fully neutralize causes continued damage and breakage.
Why must hydroxide relaxers be rinsed with comfortably warm (not hot) water and rinsed completely?
To remove all caustic chemical from hair and scalp before neutralizing; residue continues to break bonds and burn the scalp.
What is a soft curl permanent (double process)?
A combination service that uses a thio relaxer to first soften/loosen the existing curl, then perm rods and thio waving lotion to form a larger, looser curl pattern.
Why can a soft curl perm use a thio relaxer with rods, but a hydroxide relaxer cannot be permed afterward?
Soft curl perms rely on thio (reduction/oxidation) chemistry, which is reversible and re-bondable; hydroxide relaxers permanently form lanthionine bonds that cannot be re-curled, so combining the two causes breakage.
What are the key elements of a client consultation before a chemical texture service?
Analyze hair type/condition/porosity/elasticity, review scalp condition, discuss desired result, check for prior chemical treatments and medications, and assess any contraindications.
What is the purpose of a release (consent) form for chemical services?
It documents that the client was informed of risks and gave consent; note that it informs the client but does not release the cosmetologist from legal responsibility for negligence.
What is a patch (predisposition) test and is it required before perms/relaxers?
A test applying a small amount of product to skin to check for allergic reaction; perms/relaxers generally don't require it (it's required for tints), but a strand test is essential.
What does a porosity test measure and how is it performed?
It measures the hair's ability to absorb moisture/chemicals; slide fingers from ends toward scalp — if hair feels rough/ruffles up, it is porous (overporous hair processes faster).
How does porosity affect chemical processing time?
More porous hair absorbs solution faster and processes more quickly (and may need milder product), while resistant/low-porosity hair needs more time or stronger product.
What does an elasticity test measure and what is normal?
The hair's ability to stretch and return; wet hair with good elasticity stretches about 50% of its length and returns. Low elasticity hair is weak and prone to breakage.
Why should you avoid chemical overlapping during a relaxer retouch?
Applying relaxer over previously relaxed hair re-processes it, causing weakness and breakage; apply only to the new growth.
What is the single most important rule when a client has had a hydroxide relaxer and wants a perm (or vice versa)?
Never apply thio and hydroxide chemistry to the same hair — the incompatible chemistry causes severe breakage. The chemically treated hair must be grown/cut out first.
What are common signs that hair has been over-processed and needs reconditioning?
Dry, brittle, weak, frizzy, overly porous hair with poor elasticity that may break easily.
How should over-processed hair be reconditioned?
Use deep-conditioning protein/moisturizing treatments to rebuild and strengthen the hair, avoid further chemical services, and cut off severely damaged ends; protein fills gaps while moisturizers restore softness.
Why is a protein (substantive) conditioner or filler sometimes used before a texture service on damaged hair?
To equalize porosity and temporarily strengthen weak areas so the chemical processes more evenly and reduces the risk of breakage.
What this deck covers
The Chemical Texture Services deck follows the Cosmetology License Exam Chemical Texture Services syllabus — 4 chapters and 17 topics — so questions land on material that is genuinely examinable rather than trivia around it. That works out to roughly 15.0 cards per chapter.
Answers are written to be recallable, not just readable — averaging about 163 characters, which is long enough to carry the reasoning and short enough to say out loud.
A deck like this earns its keep on the second and third pass. Read the syllabus first so you know the shape of the subject, then use the cards to find the specific facts that have not stuck.
Chemical Texture Services flashcards FAQ
How many Chemical Texture Services flashcards are in this Cosmetology License Exam deck?
60 cards. This page previews 24 of them, sampled evenly across the deck so you can judge the difficulty before installing anything.
Are these Cosmetology License Exam flashcards free?
Yes. The preview here is free to read with no signup, and the full 60-card deck is free inside the Examius app.
What do the Chemical Texture Services cards cover?
They follow the Cosmetology License Exam Chemical Texture Services syllabus — 4 chapters and 17 topics — so the questions track what is actually examinable.
How should I use these flashcards?
Read the syllabus first so you know the shape of the subject, then drill the deck. Examius schedules each card with spaced repetition, so cards you keep missing come back sooner and ones you know drift further apart.