Oregon Cosmetology State Board – Hair Practice Test

The process of pretreating gray or very resistant hair to improve penetration is known as presoftening. This technique is essential for effectively preparing the hair for coloring, particularly when dealing with gray hair, which can be more challenging to color.

Presoftening typically involves applying a mild alkaline solution to the hair before the actual color treatment. This step raises the cuticle layer of the hair, allowing color molecules to penetrate more effectively and uniformly. The result is a more consistent and vibrant color application, as it enhances the hair’s ability to absorb the dye.

In order to fully grasp the importance of presoftening, it is helpful to consider how other processes differ. For example, bleaching serves to lighten the existing hair color rather than specifically addressing the unique challenges posed by gray or resistant hair. Deep conditioning focuses on nourishing the hair, improving its overall health and moisture content but does not facilitate color penetration. Color balancing is used to neutralize unwanted tones in already colored hair, not as a preparation method for applying new color. Thus, presoftening stands out as the correct procedure for preparing gray or resistant hair for color treatment.