_____________ perms have a strong curl pattern, faster processing time, and are better for resistant hair.

• A. Acid perms
• B. Alkaline perms
• C. Exothermic perms
• D. Low/no Thio perms

Answer: (B)

Alkaline perms use a high-pH reducing agent, which opens the hair’s bonds more aggressively and allows the strands to swell and reposition around the rod. This deeper, quicker bond-breaking and reformation yields a stronger curl pattern and faster processing, making it especially effective on resistant, coarse hair that doesn’t curl easily. In contrast, acid perms are milder and work more slowly, producing softer curls; exothermic perms speed up processing with heat but don’t inherently guarantee a stronger curl; low/no thioglycolate perms are gentler and produce less dramatic curl, so they’re not ideal for resistant hair.