Milady Cosmetology Practice Exam

When applying a virgin relaxer to avoid scalp irritation, how far should you start from the scalp?

1. 1/2 inch

2. 1 inch

3. 1/4 inch

4. 3/4 inch

The correct answer is: 1/4 inch

When applying a virgin relaxer, it is essential to avoid direct application on the scalp to minimize the risk of irritation and chemical burns. Starting the application at a distance of 1/4 inch from the scalp helps achieve this goal. This distance is critical because it allows the heat from the scalp to naturally accelerate the processing of the hair, ensuring that the hair is properly relaxed without exposing the sensitive scalp skin to the strong chemicals in the relaxer. In contrast, starting at a greater distance, such as 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, or 1 inch, could lead to uneven results in the relaxing process. The hair closest to the scalp, which typically has more natural oils and heat, will relax faster than the hair further away from the scalp; therefore, the selected distance of 1/4 inch is optimal to balance both the safety of the scalp and the effectiveness of the relaxer application.