Tennessee Barber Practice Exam

The process that involves applying heat to change the structure of the hair is chemical relaxing. This procedure is specifically designed to alter the hair's natural curl pattern, making it straighter and more manageable. Chemical relaxers work by breaking down the disulfide bonds in the hair's protein structure, allowing the hair to be reshaped. The application of heat enhances the effectiveness of the relaxing agents, making it easier for them to penetrate the hair shaft and achieve the desired straightening effect.

In contrast, curling involves using heat to change the hair's texture to create waves or curls, which is not a process of structural change but rather a temporary styling technique. Hot oil treatments and deep conditioning focus on nourishing and hydrating the hair rather than altering its structural integrity. These treatments are beneficial for improving the hair's moisture levels and overall health but do not fundamentally change the hair's structure like chemical relaxing does.