Before you touch a client's hair, what's the first thing you should do? Analyze. The hair and scalp. Every single time. Here's the thing. This isn't just a state board concept. This is real life in the salon. You analyze the hair and scalp FIRST because you need to know what you're working with before you start. Are there conditions that need special care? Is the hair strong enough for a chemical service? Is the scalp healthy? The whole point is to maintain the health and integrity of the hair and scalp. That's it. That's the answer your exam is looking for, too. Not to figure out a hairstyle. Not to help color absorb better. To protect and preserve what's already there. 💛 🎯 Remember: Analysis comes before everything else. It keeps you and your client safe. What do you always look for when you analyze a client's hair? Drop it in the comments! 👇

Why do you perform a patch test before a chemical relaxer service? 🅐 To test the strength of the relaxer 🅑 To see how fast the hair will process 🅒 To check for allergies or reactions 🅓 To decide which gloves to use 👉 The answer is C! A patch test (also called a predisposition test) is done 24–48 hours BEFORE the service. You apply a small amount of the product to the skin behind the ear or inside the elbow. Why? Because some clients are allergic to the chemicals in relaxers — and you won't know until it's too late if you skip this step. 😬 Bottom line: Patch test = client safety. The board will test this. Don't skip it IRL either! 💛