Vermont Barbers and Cosmetologists Practice Exam

The chemical process used to relax curly hair is typically associated with sodium hydroxide processing. This method is effective for altering the hair's structure, allowing curly hair to become straighter and more manageable. Sodium hydroxide acts as a powerful alkaline agent that breaks down the hair's protein bonds, making it easier to reshape the hair.

The use of sodium hydroxide in hair relaxers is well established, and it is specifically formulated for this purpose. It penetrates the hair shaft and creates a chemical reaction that loosens the natural curl pattern, leading to straighter results.

In contrast, the other options represent different processes that do not focus specifically on relaxing curly hair. Calcium chloride and hydrogen peroxide have their own roles in chemical treatments, but they are not primarily used for hair relaxing. Ammonium thioglycolate is a different type of relaxer used for softening and restructuring hair but is generally considered more suitable for permanent waves or curls rather than standard straightening. Therefore, sodium hydroxide processing stands out as the most recognized method for effectively relaxing curly hair.