Before perming, you should identify previous chemical services. Which option best describes when this should occur?

• A. Before perming
• B. During perming
• C. After perming
• D. Not necessary

Answer: (A)

Assessing chemical history before any perming work is essential. This information is gathered during the initial consultation, before applying any chemical solution. Knowing whether the hair has had previous chemical services—such as perms, relaxers, color, or texturizing treatments—helps you understand how the hair will respond to the new perm solution. Prior services can alter bond structure, elasticity, and porosity, which affects processing time, neutralizer strength, and overall results. By identifying this early, you can tailor the procedure to protect the hair, avoid overprocessing or breakage, and achieve predictable curl behavior. Trying to uncover this after you start or after the perming step would be too late to prevent damage or misresults, and skipping it altogether can lead to unsafe, uneven outcomes.