Which statement about alkaline perms is true?

• A. They have a pH around 8.0 to 9.5
• B. They are processed with heat
• C. They wrap with tension
• D. They do not require caution with chemical burns

Answer: (A)

Alkaline perms are defined by their high pH, typically around 8.0 to 9.5. That strong alkalinity opens the hair cuticle and breaks disulfide bonds so the hair can be reshaped around a rod. The pH range is the clearest, most direct indicator of an alkaline perm, which is why this statement is true. Processing is usually done at room temperature without extra heat, so saying they require heat isn’t a defining feature. Wrapping with tension is a technique used in perming but isn’t what sets alkaline perms apart. And because the solution is highly alkaline, caution for chemical burns is essential.