Pennsylvania Cosmetology Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the Pennsylvania Cosmetology Exam with study materials featuring flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question comes with hints and explanations to enhance your understanding. Ace your exam with confidence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What effect does an alkaline substance have on the hair's cuticle?

Bleaches the hair
Strengthens the cuticle
Swells the cuticle
Closes the cuticle

The correct answer is: Swells the cuticle

When an alkaline substance is applied to the hair, it causes the cuticle, which is the outer layer of the hair shaft, to expand or swell. This is because alkaline substances have a higher pH level, which disrupts the natural pH of the hair and causes the cuticle to open up. This can make the hair appear dull and frizzy. Option A, bleaches the hair, is incorrect because alkaline substances do not have any bleaching properties. Option B, strengthens the cuticle, is incorrect because although alkaline substances can temporarily make the hair feel stronger, they can actually cause long-term damage to the hair. Option D, closes the cuticle, is incorrect because as mentioned before, alkaline substances actually cause the cuticle to open up. Therefore, the correct answer is C, as it correctly explains the effect of an alkaline substance on the hair's cuticle.