Which perm type is typically chosen for hair that is fragile or chemically treated due to gentler processing?

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

Answer: (A)

Gentle processing for fragile or chemically treated hair comes from using a milder chemical approach that minimizes swelling and cuticle disruption. Acid perms operate at a lower, more neutral pH and use a gentler reducing agent, so the disulfide bond reshaping happens with less stress on the hair shaft. This helps protect weakened hair from further damage while still achieving a reliable curl or wave.

Alkaline perms, by contrast, work at a higher pH and tend to swell the hair more, making them more aggressive and riskier for damaged strands. Exothermic perms are a processing method that generates heat but don’t inherently guarantee gentleness. Low/no thio perms reduce chemical load, which is helpful for damaged hair, but the milder, overall gentleness of acid perms often makes them the preferred choice when hair is fragile or chemically treated.