Which base position is not recommended because the tension may cause breakage?

• A. on base
• B. on base with alkaline perm
• C. off base
• D. partial perms

Answer: (A)

Understanding how base positioning affects tension on the hair helps protect it during chemical texturizing. When the rod sits directly on the scalp (on-base), the hair is wrapped at the tightest angle, so the tension along the shaft is the greatest. That high tension makes breakage more likely as the hair is stretched and processed. Moving away from the base reduces how tightly the hair is held to the scalp, lowering tension and the risk of damage. Partial-base positioning further decreases tension by limiting direct scalp contact. Even though an alkaline perm can be more aggressive, the key reason on-base placement isn’t recommended is the substantial tension it places on the hair, which increases breakage risk.