National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) Cosmetology Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the NOCTI Cosmetology Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which type of shampoo is best to use after a chemical relaxer?

  1. Neutral pH

  2. Acid pH

  3. Alkaline pH

  4. Balanced pH

The correct answer is: Acid pH

Using an acid pH shampoo after a chemical relaxer is ideal because chemical relaxers often raise the hair's pH level, making it more alkaline. An acid pH shampoo helps to balance the hair and restore its natural acidity. By doing so, it can close the cuticle of the hair, which is crucial for maintaining moisture, shine, and overall hair health after the chemical treatment. This helps reduce potential damage and keeps the hair looking its best. The other types of shampoos do not effectively address the pH imbalance caused by the relaxer. A neutral pH shampoo maintains the hair's existing pH but does not help restore the natural acidity. An alkaline pH shampoo could further raise the hair's pH, which is counterproductive. A balanced pH shampoo may seem suitable but does not specifically target the acid restoration needed after a strong alkaline treatment like a chemical relaxer.