What processing method is associated with alkaline waves?

• A. They are processed with heat and tension
• B. They require no heat
• C. They do not use tension
• D. They require neutralizers

Answer: (A)

Alkaline waves rely on a strong reducing agent at high pH to soften and break the hair’s disulfide bonds, and the processing is carried out with heat to speed the chemical reaction and tension to shape the hair as it processes. Wrapping the hair on rods and applying heat activates the wave formation, giving a defined curl pattern once the bonds are reformed by the neutralizer. While neutralizers are used after processing, the defining method here is the combination of heat and tension during processing.