Duyệt tất cả câu hỏi

Mọi câu hỏi kèm đáp án và giải thích — học theo chủ đề hoặc tất cả cùng lúc.

Hóa học & Sản phẩm

51 câu hỏi

1. On the pH scale, which value represents a neutral solution at room temperature?

a.0
b.7
c.10
d.14

The pH scale runs from 0 to 14. A value of 7 is neutral (the pH of pure water). Below 7 is acidic; above 7 is alkaline.

2. What is the approximate natural pH range of healthy hair and skin?

a.1.5 to 3.0
b.3.5 to 4.0
c.4.5 to 5.5
d.7.0 to 8.0

Healthy hair and skin sit in a slightly acidic range of about 4.5 to 5.5. This is often called the acid mantle and helps protect against bacteria and moisture loss.

3. A change from pH 5 to pH 7 represents how much of a change in hydrogen ion concentration?

a.100 times less acidic
b.10 times less acidic
c.2 times less acidic
d.No change

The pH scale is logarithmic, so each whole number is a tenfold change. Two units (pH 5 to pH 7) means the solution is 10 x 10 = 100 times less acidic.

4. Sodium hydroxide hair relaxers (commonly called 'lye relaxers') typically have a pH of approximately:

a.5 to 6
b.7 to 8
c.9 to 10
d.12 to 14

Sodium hydroxide relaxers are very alkaline, with a pH of about 12 to 14. The high pH swells and breaks disulfide bonds quickly, so processing must be timed carefully to avoid scalp burns.

5. Which statement best describes a 'no-lye' relaxer compared to a 'lye' relaxer?

a.No-lye relaxers contain sodium hydroxide and process faster
b.No-lye relaxers use guanidine hydroxide and tend to be gentler on the scalp but can leave hair drier
c.No-lye relaxers are neutral in pH and require no neutralizer
d.No-lye relaxers are stronger than lye relaxers

No-lye relaxers most commonly use guanidine hydroxide (mixed on site from calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate). They are generally less irritating to the scalp but can leave more mineral deposits, making hair feel drier.

6. Which chemical bond is broken when hair is permanently waved or relaxed?

a.Hydrogen bonds
b.Salt bonds
c.Disulfide bonds
d.Peptide bonds

Permanent waving and chemical relaxing both break and reform the disulfide bonds in keratin. Hydrogen and salt bonds are only temporarily broken by water or heat styling.

7. In a cold permanent wave, which chemical acts as the reducing agent that breaks disulfide bonds?

a.Ammonium thioglycolate
b.Hydrogen peroxide
c.Sodium hydroxide
d.Sodium bromate

Cold waves use ammonium thioglycolate (ATG) as the waving lotion. It is a reducing agent that breaks disulfide bonds at room temperature. The neutralizer (usually hydrogen peroxide or sodium bromate) then re-forms the bonds in the new shape.

8. The neutralizer applied after the waving lotion in a permanent wave is an example of what type of chemical reaction?

a.Hydrolysis
b.Neutralization (acid-base only)
c.Reduction
d.Oxidation

The neutralizer (typically hydrogen peroxide) oxidizes the broken disulfide bonds, allowing them to re-form in the curled shape. Even though the product is called a 'neutralizer,' the chemistry is an oxidation reaction.

9. Which category of hair color coats the outside of the hair shaft and washes out in one to two shampoos?

a.Demi-permanent
b.Temporary
c.Semi-permanent
d.Permanent

Temporary colors (rinses, color sprays, gels) coat only the cuticle and rinse out in one to two shampoos. They do not penetrate the cortex.

10. Which type of hair color penetrates into the cortex and chemically lightens natural pigment while depositing new color?

a.Temporary color
b.Semi-permanent color
c.Permanent color (oxidative)
d.Color-depositing conditioner

Permanent (oxidative) color is mixed with a developer (hydrogen peroxide). It penetrates the cortex, lightens existing melanin, and deposits new color molecules that are too large to wash out.

11. A client wants to deposit color only, with no lift, and have it gradually fade over 4 to 6 weeks. Which product is most appropriate?

a.Demi-permanent color with low-volume developer
b.30 volume developer with permanent color
c.Sodium hydroxide relaxer
d.Temporary color rinse

Demi-permanent (deposit-only) color uses a low-volume developer (typically 5 to 10 volume). It deposits color, gives slight conditioning, and fades gradually with no significant lift.

12. What does the 'volume' rating on hydrogen peroxide developer indicate?

a.The thickness of the cream
b.The amount of oxygen gas released per volume of liquid
c.The pH of the developer
d.The number of ounces in the bottle

Developer volume refers to the volume of oxygen gas released per volume of peroxide. 10 volume means each unit of peroxide releases 10 units of oxygen. Higher volume = more lift.

13. Which developer volume is typically used for deposit-only color and toners with no lift?

a.10 volume
b.20 volume
c.30 volume
d.40 volume

10 volume developer (about 3% hydrogen peroxide) deposits color and tones without lifting. 20 vol gives one to two levels of lift; 30 vol gives two to three; 40 vol gives the maximum lift used for high-lift color.

14. 20 volume developer is approximately what percentage of hydrogen peroxide by weight?

a.3%
b.5%
c.6%
d.12%

20 volume developer is approximately 6% hydrogen peroxide. 10 vol is about 3%, 30 vol about 9%, and 40 vol about 12%.

15. A formula calls for a 1:2 mixing ratio of color to developer. If you use 2 ounces of color, how much developer should you add?

a.1 ounce
b.2 ounces
c.3 ounces
d.4 ounces

A 1:2 ratio means two parts developer for every one part color. 2 oz color x 2 = 4 oz developer.

16. What is the primary cleansing ingredient in shampoo?

a.Emulsifier
b.Surfactant (detergent)
c.Humectant
d.Preservative

Shampoos clean using surfactants (surface-active agents). One end of the molecule attracts water (hydrophilic) and the other attracts oil and dirt (lipophilic), allowing soils to be rinsed away.

17. A 'pH-balanced' shampoo is formulated to a pH of approximately:

a.4.5 to 5.5
b.6.0 to 6.5
c.7.0 (neutral)
d.8.0 to 9.0

pH-balanced shampoos are formulated to roughly match the natural pH of hair and skin (about 4.5 to 5.5). This helps the cuticle lie flat and reduces dryness and irritation.

18. Which type of shampoo is best for removing mineral and product buildup before a chemical service?

a.Moisturizing shampoo
b.Color-safe shampoo
c.Clarifying shampoo
d.Dry shampoo

Clarifying shampoos contain stronger surfactants or chelating agents that remove hard-water minerals, chlorine, and styling product residue. They are useful before chemical services but can be drying with frequent use.

19. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic and lactic acid act primarily on the skin by:

a.Killing bacteria deep in the dermis
b.Exfoliating the surface of the stratum corneum
c.Bleaching pigment in the cortex
d.Tightening the underlying muscle

AHAs are water-soluble acids that loosen the bonds between dead surface skin cells (corneocytes), promoting gentle exfoliation. They work on the surface of the stratum corneum, not in the dermis.

20. Salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid) is especially useful for which type of skin?

a.Dry, mature skin
b.Sensitive, rosacea-prone skin
c.Oily, acne-prone skin
d.Sun-damaged hyperpigmented skin

Salicylic acid (BHA) is oil-soluble, so it can penetrate through sebum into pores. This makes it useful for oily and acne-prone skin to clear clogged follicles.

21. Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) are used in skin care primarily to:

a.Increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen
b.Provide chemical sunscreen protection
c.Disinfect the surface of the skin
d.Neutralize chemical relaxers

Retinoids speed up cell turnover and stimulate collagen and elastin production, making them popular for anti-aging and acne treatment. They can cause dryness and increased sun sensitivity.

22. What does the 'SPF' number on a sunscreen primarily measure?

a.Protection against UVA radiation
b.Protection against UVB radiation
c.Protection against infrared radiation
d.Hours the product lasts on the skin

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures protection against UVB rays, which cause sunburn. For UVA protection (which causes aging), look for 'broad-spectrum' on the label.

23. Under Cal/OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, a salon must keep a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for:

a.Only products used on minors
b.Only products that contain alcohol
c.Only products purchased from out of state
d.Every hazardous chemical product used in the salon

8 CCR §5194 requires employers to maintain an SDS for each hazardous chemical present in the workplace and to make them readily accessible to employees during their shift.

8 CCR §5194

24. How many sections does a Safety Data Sheet contain under the current Globally Harmonized System (GHS) format?

a.8
b.12
c.16
d.24

GHS-formatted SDSs have 16 standardized sections, ranging from product identification (Section 1) to other information (Section 16), including first aid, handling, and toxicology.

8 CCR §5194

25. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) liquid monomer is:

a.Prohibited from use on the nails of clients in California
b.Allowed only with written client consent
c.The standard ingredient in acrylic nail systems
d.Used as a UV gel base coat

Business and Professions Code §7315 prohibits the use of MMA liquid monomer on clients in California. Ethyl methacrylate (EMA) is the legal alternative for acrylic nail systems.

BPC §7315

26. Hair with low porosity tends to:

a.Absorb chemicals very quickly because the cuticle is open
b.Resist chemical penetration because the cuticle lies flat
c.Hold color longer because the cortex is exposed
d.Process the same as high-porosity hair

Low-porosity hair has tightly packed cuticle scales that resist absorbing water and chemicals. It may require longer processing or a presoftener. High-porosity hair absorbs and releases chemicals quickly.

27. Before a permanent wave, a strand test is performed mainly to:

a.Check the client's blood pressure
b.Measure the room humidity
c.Calculate the developer cost
d.Determine processing time and curl result on this specific hair

A strand test (also called a test curl) shows how the client's hair will respond to the wave solution so the stylist can choose the right product and time, preventing over- or under-processing.

28. Under California sanitation rules, salon chemical products should be stored:

a.Anywhere in the salon convenient to the operator
b.In the restroom, away from clients
c.In a labeled, closed container in a clean, dry area separate from food
d.In open bowls so they can be quickly accessed

16 CCR §979 requires products to be properly labeled and stored in clean, dry areas, separate from food, and in closed containers when not in use to avoid contamination or spills.

16 CCR §979

29. Leftover chemical color and developer should be disposed of by:

a.Pouring it down the storm drain
b.Following the manufacturer's SDS guidance and local hazardous-waste rules
c.Storing it in an open bowl for the next client
d.Burning it in the parking lot

SDS Section 13 covers disposal. Used chemicals must be disposed of according to the manufacturer's directions and local hazardous-waste regulations, not into storm drains or open containers.

30. Which section of an SDS tells the cosmetologist what to do if the chemical is splashed in the eyes?

a.Section 4 — First-Aid Measures
b.Section 9 — Physical and Chemical Properties
c.Section 13 — Disposal Considerations
d.Section 16 — Other Information

Section 4 (First-Aid Measures) of a GHS-formatted SDS lists the immediate steps to take for eye, skin, inhalation, and ingestion exposure.

31. After a chemical service that raises the hair's pH (such as relaxing or permanent color), an acidic 'normalizing' or finishing rinse is used to:

a.Open the cuticle to add more color
b.Lighten the hair further
c.Lower the pH and help the cuticle lie flat
d.Disinfect the scalp

Acidic finishing rinses bring the hair back toward its natural pH (around 4.5 to 5.5). This helps the cuticle close, locks in color, and reduces frizz.

32. A solution at pH 3 contains how many more hydrogen ions than a solution at pH 6?

a.3 times more
b.30 times more
c.1,000 times more
d.10,000 times more

The pH scale is logarithmic and inverted: each whole-number drop multiplies hydrogen-ion concentration by 10. Going from pH 6 to pH 3 is a 3-unit drop, so 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000 times more hydrogen ions.

33. When an alkaline product such as ammonia is applied to the hair, the cuticle layer:

a.Swells and lifts open, allowing chemicals to enter the cortex
b.Closes tightly to seal in moisture
c.Detaches completely from the cortex
d.Becomes electrically charged but does not move

Alkaline solutions (pH above the natural 4.5 to 5.5 range) swell the hair shaft and lift the imbricated cuticle scales. The raised cuticle is what allows oxidative color, lighteners, and waving solutions to reach the cortex.

34. A bleach manufacturer specifies a 1:2 ratio of lightener powder to developer. If you scoop 1 ounce of powder, how many ounces of developer do you add?

a.0.5 ounce
b.2 ounces
c.3 ounces
d.4 ounces

A 1:2 powder-to-developer ratio means two parts developer per one part powder. 1 oz powder x 2 = 2 oz developer. Using less developer than directed produces a stiff, dry paste that overheats and can scorch hair.

35. Approximately what percentage of hydrogen peroxide by weight is in a 40-volume developer?

a.3%
b.6%
c.9%
d.12%

Volume rating divided by roughly 3.3 gives the percent peroxide: 10 vol is about 3%, 20 vol about 6%, 30 vol about 9%, and 40 vol about 12%. 40 vol is reserved for high-lift permanent color and is not used for on-scalp bleach.

36. Compared with a thiol-based (ammonium thioglycolate) perm, a sulfite-based 'true acid' perm typically:

a.Has a near-neutral to slightly acidic pH and produces a softer, less aggressive curl
b.Has a higher pH and processes faster than thio waves
c.Uses sodium hydroxide as its reducing agent
d.Requires no neutralizer because no bonds are broken

Sulfite (acid) waves use ammonium sulfite or bisulfite at a pH near 6.5 to 7. They swell the hair less than alkaline thio waves, so they create a softer curl and are gentler on porous or color-treated hair, though processing time is longer.

37. Surfactants in shampoo are classified by the electrical charge of their head group. Which charge class is the primary CLEANSING surfactant in most shampoos?

a.Cationic (positive)
b.Nonionic (no charge)
c.Anionic (negative)
d.Amphoteric (both charges)

Anionic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate carry a negative charge and produce strong lather and grease removal, so they are the main cleansing detergents. Cationic agents condition, amphoterics are mild, and nonionics are used as emulsifiers and solubilizers.

38. Cationic surfactants such as quaternary ammonium compounds are most often found in:

a.Deep-cleansing clarifying shampoos
b.Conditioners and detangling rinses
c.Permanent waving solutions
d.Hard-surface salon disinfectant sprays only

Cationic (positively charged) surfactants are attracted to the negatively charged sites on damaged hair. They neutralize static, smooth the cuticle, and help detangling, which is exactly what conditioners are designed to do.

39. Which statement comparing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is most accurate?

a.They are the same molecule with different brand names
b.SLS is non-foaming while SLES produces lather
c.SLS is cationic and SLES is anionic
d.SLES has added ethoxylate units that make it milder and less irritating to skin and scalp than SLS

Both are anionic sulfate cleansers, but SLES has been ethoxylated (extra polyethylene glycol units inserted into the molecule). The added bulk makes SLES gentler on skin and eyes than the smaller, more aggressive SLS while keeping good foam.

40. Which skin-care ingredient functions as a HUMECTANT by drawing water from the air and from deeper skin layers to the surface?

a.Glycerin
b.Mineral oil
c.Zinc oxide
d.Benzoyl peroxide

Glycerin is a classic humectant; its hydroxyl groups bind water molecules and pull them toward the stratum corneum. Mineral oil is an occlusive, zinc oxide is a physical sunscreen, and benzoyl peroxide is an acne-fighting oxidizer.

41. Among the common alpha hydroxy acids used in chemical exfoliants, which acid has the SMALLEST molecule and therefore the deepest penetration into the stratum corneum?

a.Lactic acid
b.Glycolic acid
c.Mandelic acid
d.Citric acid

Glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size of the common AHAs, so it penetrates fastest and deepest. Lactic acid is larger and is preferred when extra hydration is desired; mandelic and citric acids are larger still and act more gently on the surface.

42. Which list correctly orders these retinoids from WEAKEST to STRONGEST as they appear at the same concentration?

a.Tretinoin, retinaldehyde, retinol
b.Retinaldehyde, retinol, tretinoin
c.Retinol, retinaldehyde, tretinoin
d.Retinol, tretinoin, retinaldehyde

Retinoids must be converted into retinoic acid in the skin to act. Retinol takes two conversion steps, retinaldehyde takes one, and tretinoin (retinoic acid) is already active. Fewer steps means stronger and faster effect at the same percentage.

43. A broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen blocks approximately what percentage of UVB radiation when applied correctly?

a.Less than 50%
b.About 75%
c.About 90%
d.About 97%

SPF math: SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB, SPF 30 about 97%, and SPF 50 about 98%. The jump from 30 to 50 only adds 1 percent more protection, so reapplication every two hours matters more than chasing a higher number.

44. Which pair of active ingredients indicates that a sunscreen is a PHYSICAL (mineral) sunscreen rather than a chemical one?

a.Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
b.Avobenzone and oxybenzone
c.Octinoxate and octocrylene
d.Homosalate and octisalate

Physical (mineral) sunscreens use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide to sit on the skin and reflect or scatter UV light. The other ingredients listed are organic UV filters that absorb UV energy and convert it to heat, defining chemical sunscreens.

45. A new cosmetologist wants to know the product name, manufacturer, and emergency contact for a chemical in the dispensary. Which section of the GHS Safety Data Sheet contains that information?

a.Section 8 — Exposure Controls / Personal Protection
b.Section 1 — Identification
c.Section 9 — Physical and Chemical Properties
d.Section 14 — Transport Information

Section 1 (Identification) of the GHS 16-section SDS lists the product identifier, manufacturer name, address, and emergency phone number. Cal/OSHA's 8 CCR §5194 requires this sheet to be accessible to every employee on shift.

8 CCR §5194

46. Which SDS section lists the recommended ventilation, gloves, and eye protection required when working with a chemical?

a.Section 2 — Hazard Identification
b.Section 4 — First-Aid Measures
c.Section 8 — Exposure Controls / Personal Protection
d.Section 14 — Transport Information

Section 8 of a GHS-formatted SDS gives exposure limits and the engineering controls and personal protective equipment (gloves, eye protection, ventilation, respirator if needed) that the employer must provide under 8 CCR §5194.

8 CCR §5194

47. Most lotions, conditioners, and creamy hair colors are oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, meaning:

a.Water droplets are suspended inside a continuous oil phase
b.There is no water present; only oils and waxes
c.Oil and water form two separate layers that are shaken together at use
d.Oil droplets are dispersed throughout a continuous water phase

In an oil-in-water emulsion, tiny oil droplets are suspended in a much larger continuous water phase, stabilized by an emulsifier. O/W products feel lighter and less greasy, which is why they dominate lotions and rinse-out conditioners. W/O is the reverse (water-in-oil) and feels heavier.

48. Oxidative (permanent) hair color and developer that have already been mixed should be:

a.Used immediately and any leftover discarded; never stored for later use
b.Capped and refrigerated for up to 30 days
c.Stored in an open bowl on the counter until the next client
d.Diluted with water and saved for the next root touch-up

Once color and peroxide are combined, the oxidation reaction begins. The mixture loses strength, can build dangerous pressure if sealed in a bottle, and is unsafe to apply later. Mix only what you need and discard leftover per the SDS.

49. From a molecular standpoint, why does methyl methacrylate (MMA) carry a much higher allergy and damage risk than ethyl methacrylate (EMA) on natural nails?

a.MMA is alkaline and EMA is acidic
b.MMA has a smaller molecule that penetrates the nail plate more easily and bonds too rigidly to the natural nail
c.MMA is water-based while EMA is solvent-based
d.MMA evaporates before it can react

MMA's smaller molecular size lets it diffuse into the nail plate and surrounding skin, increasing sensitization risk, and it cures into an extremely hard, inflexible film that can tear the natural nail off if bumped. For these reasons California's BPC §7315 bans MMA monomer on clients; EMA is the legal acrylic monomer.

BPC §7315

50. A client wants a serum to help refill water loss in dehydrated skin without leaving a greasy film. Which ingredient is BEST known for binding many times its own weight in water within the upper skin layers?

a.Petrolatum
b.Beeswax
c.Hyaluronic acid
d.Stearic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that can hold many times its weight in water in the upper epidermis, plumping dehydrated skin without occluding it. Petrolatum and beeswax are occlusive sealers; stearic acid is mainly a thickener.

51. Ceramides are added to moisturizers primarily because they:

a.Provide chemical UV protection equivalent to SPF 15
b.Exfoliate the surface in the same way as glycolic acid
c.Function as anionic detergents that cleanse the scalp
d.Replenish the natural lipid 'mortar' between skin cells to repair the barrier and slow water loss

Ceramides are lipids that, together with cholesterol and fatty acids, form the 'mortar' that holds stratum-corneum cells together. Topping up ceramides restores the skin barrier and reduces transepidermal water loss, which is why they are key in barrier-repair moisturizers.