Hawaii Beauty Operator Practice Exam 2026 - Free Beauty Operator License Practice Questions and Study Guide

The key distinction between a permanent wave and a relaxer revolves primarily around the effects each service has on the hair. A permanent wave is designed to create curls or waves in the hair, utilizing a chemical process that alters the hair's natural structure. This method involves setting the hair on rods and applying a chemical solution that breaks down the disulfide bonds in the hair, allowing it to be reshaped into curls or waves once the solution is neutralized.

In contrast, a relaxer works to straighten the hair and reduce curliness. A relaxer also employs a chemical process but focuses on loosening the hair's natural curl pattern, resulting in straighter, smoother hair. While both services involve chemical treatments, their purposes and outcomes are fundamentally different—permanent waves enhance curliness, while relaxers diminish it.

Additionally, while a permanent wave may add some volumetric appearance because of the curls, a relaxer is not intended to enhance volume but rather to create a sleeker, flat look. This distinction is crucial in hair styling as it determines the choice of service based on the desired hairstyle outcome.