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ME Cosmetology practice questions

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Question 1Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which hair layer is the outermost and consists of overlapping, transparent scales that protect the inner structures?

  1. Medulla
  2. Cortex
  3. Papilla
  4. Cuticle Correct answer.

Explanation

The cuticle is the outer protective layer of overlapping scales that shields the cortex and medulla. Its condition determines shine, porosity, and resistance to chemical services. The cortex provides strength and pigment, and the medulla is the innermost, often discontinuous core.

Question 2Hair Care and Hairstyling

A client with a naturally pale complexion and light eyes wants a dramatic change. Which hair color category is generally described as cool?

  1. Golden
  2. Ash Correct answer.
  3. Copper
  4. Warm brown

Explanation

Ash colors carry blue, green, or violet undertones and are classified as cool. Golden, copper, and warm brown shades contain red, orange, or yellow tones and read as warm. Matching undertone to skin tone helps the result look harmonious.

Question 3Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which tool is designed to remove bulk and create mobility within a section of hair without shortening the overall length?

  1. Wide-tooth comb
  2. Razor
  3. Blow dryer
  4. Texturizing shears Correct answer.

Explanation

Texturizing shears have notched blades that cut only part of the hair in a section, reducing weight while leaving length. A razor slices and can shorten or thin ends depending on technique. Dryers and combs shape or detangle but do not remove bulk.

Question 4Hair Care and Hairstyling

What is the primary purpose of applying conditioner after shampooing?

  1. To raise the pH of the hair shaft
  2. To open the cuticle for color penetration
  3. To lift oils from the scalp
  4. To smooth the cuticle and improve manageability Correct answer.

Explanation

Conditioners are acidic and deposit smoothing agents that close and flatten the cuticle, reducing friction and improving combability. They do not open the cuticle or lift oils; those are shampoo and alkaline functions. A smoother cuticle also increases light reflection, which reads as shine.

Question 5Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which growth phase is the resting stage in which the hair is shed and the follicle prepares for a new cycle?

  1. Keratin phase
  2. Catagen
  3. Anagen
  4. Telogen Correct answer.

Explanation

Telogen is the resting phase, lasting roughly three months, at the end of which the old hair sheds. Anagen is active growth and catagen is the transitional phase. There is no growth phase called the keratin phase.

Question 6Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which shampoo ingredient is primarily responsible for attracting water and allowing oil and water to mix so debris can be rinsed away?

  1. Surfactant Correct answer.
  2. Fragrance
  3. Preservative
  4. Thickener

Explanation

Surfactants are molecules with a water-loving head and an oil-loving tail, which lets them lift oils and mix them with water for rinsing. Preservatives prevent microbial growth, fragrance affects scent, and thickeners adjust viscosity. The surfactant is the actual cleansing agent.

Question 7Hair Care and Hairstyling

When wrapping a wet set with rollers, which direction should the hair be combed relative to the roller to create smooth, controlled waves?

  1. At a 45-degree angle across the roller
  2. Straight down past the roller
  3. In the direction the hair will wrap around the roller Correct answer.
  4. Away from the roller's direction of rotation

Explanation

Combing the strand in the direction of the wrap keeps the hair flat and evenly tensioned around the roller, producing a smooth wave. Combing against the wrap direction causes loose or uneven sections. Consistent tension and end papers prevent fishhooks and crimping.

Question 8Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which type of brush is best suited for detangling wet, fragile hair with minimal breakage?

  1. Boar-bristle brush
  2. Round thermal brush
  3. Fine-tooth comb
  4. Wide-tooth comb Correct answer.

Explanation

A wide-tooth comb separates wet strands with minimal pulling, which is important because wet hair stretches and breaks easily. Boar bristles and fine teeth create drag on wet tangles, and round thermal brushes are for blow-drying. Detangling should start at the ends and work upward.

Question 9Hair Care and Hairstyling

A client with fine, limp hair wants more volume. Which combination of products and technique is most appropriate?

  1. Volumizing mousse applied at the roots and blow-dried with lift Correct answer.
  2. Heavy pomade applied at the roots and air-dried
  3. Silicone serum applied to the scalp before styling
  4. Leave-in conditioner on the roots and flat-ironed

Explanation

Lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots plus blow-drying with lift adds body without weighing fine hair down. Heavy pomade, serum, and root conditioner add weight and flatten the hair. Lifting at the root while drying sets the volume in place.

Question 10Hair Care and Hairstyling

A client's hair is highly porous and absorbs color quickly but fades fast. What is the most appropriate strategy before a color service?

  1. Skip the color and recommend a permanent wave
  2. Shampoo with a clarifying shampoo and color immediately
  3. Apply a strong lightener first to open the cuticle
  4. Use a color filler or porosity equalizer to even absorption Correct answer.

Explanation

Highly porous hair takes color unevenly and releases it quickly, so a filler or porosity equalizer helps balance absorption for a more even, longer-lasting result. Adding lightener would cause further damage. Clarifying immediately before color can increase porosity and unevenness.

Question 11Hair Care and Hairstyling

During a relaxer service, the technician notices the client's scalp has small abrasions. What is the best course of action?

  1. Apply a protective base and proceed normally
  2. Switch to a stronger relaxer to shorten contact time
  3. Proceed with the relaxer but reduce the processing time
  4. Postpone the chemical service and allow the scalp to heal Correct answer.

Explanation

Open abrasions allow the highly alkaline relaxer to irritate and chemically burn the scalp, so the service should be postponed until the skin heals. A base cannot protect broken skin, and shortening or strengthening the product does not remove the risk. Client safety takes priority over the appointment schedule.

Question 12Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which factor most directly determines how much a hydroxide relaxer straightens the hair?

  1. The water temperature used for rinsing
  2. The concentration of the product and the processing time Correct answer.
  3. The color of the client's hair
  4. The brand of neutralizing shampoo

Explanation

Straightening depends on the strength of the relaxer and how long it remains on the hair, since the product breaks disulfide bonds over time. Rinse water temperature and shampoo brand do not control the degree of straightening. Hair color has no effect on the chemical reaction.

Question 13Hair Care and Hairstyling

In a two-process color service, why is it important to allow the lightened hair to stabilize before applying toner?

  1. To allow the developer to evaporate completely
  2. To let the cuticle close and the color result become predictable Correct answer.
  3. To increase the porosity of the hair
  4. To remove all natural pigment from the hair

Explanation

After lightening, the cuticle needs time to close and the hair to return to a stable state so the toner deposits evenly and predictably. Rushing the toner onto highly alkaline, open hair can cause uneven or overly dark results. Developer evaporation and pigment removal are not goals of the waiting period.

Question 14Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which blow-dryer technique best prevents frizz when smoothing curly hair?

  1. Pointing the nozzle down the hair shaft with medium heat Correct answer.
  2. Directing airflow against the cuticle with high heat
  3. Applying maximum heat at the roots only
  4. Using no nozzle and tumbling the hair

Explanation

Directing airflow downward along the shaft lays the cuticle flat and produces a smooth finish. Blowing against the cuticle or tumbling the hair lifts scales and creates frizz. Medium heat with tension protects the hair while smoothing.

Question 15Hair Care and Hairstyling

A client requests a haircut that adds movement to thick, straight, blunt-cut hair. Which technique is most effective?

  1. Leaving the ends completely untextured
  2. Cutting with a razor against the growth pattern
  3. Cutting the perimeter perfectly blunt at one length
  4. Adding point-cut layers through the interior Correct answer.

Explanation

Point-cut layers remove interior weight and create movement while preserving length and the perimeter shape. A blunt cut adds weight and reduces movement, and razoring against growth can cause frizz and uneven ends. Interior layering is the standard approach for releasing bulk in thick hair.

Question 16Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which guideline applies when performing a scalp massage during a shampoo service?

  1. Scrub the scalp vigorously with the nails to loosen debris
  2. Apply pressure only at the temples
  3. Massage only the hair strands, avoiding the scalp
  4. Use firm circular movements with the fingertips, not the nails Correct answer.

Explanation

Scalp massage uses the cushions of the fingertips in firm, circular motions to stimulate circulation without scratching the skin. Nails can abrade the scalp and create entry points for infection. Massage should cover the entire scalp, not just the temples or the strands.

Question 17Hair Care and Hairstyling

A client wants a perm with soft, loose waves rather than tight curls. Which combination of choices supports that result?

  1. Small rods and a strong lotion with a long processing time
  2. Large rods and a mild lotion with a shorter processing time Correct answer.
  3. Large rods and a strong lotion with a long processing time
  4. Small rods and a strong lotion with a short processing time

Explanation

Rod size sets the curl diameter and processing strength and time control how completely the bonds are reformed. Large rods with a mild lotion and shorter processing produce loose waves. Small rods or strong, long processing tighten the curl pattern.

Question 18Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which statement correctly describes the role of disulfide bonds in hair?

  1. They are strong chemical bonds that give hair its strength and shape Correct answer.
  2. They are hydrogen bonds that break with water alone
  3. They are the bonds that hold the cuticle scales together
  4. They are the pigment molecules that determine hair color

Explanation

Disulfide bonds are strong cross-links between protein chains that give hair its strength and set its shape. They are broken by relaxers and permanent wave lotions and re-formed during processing. Hydrogen bonds are weaker and respond to water, while melanin provides pigment.

Question 19Hair Care and Hairstyling

What is the correct approach when applying a semi-permanent color to a client with about 30 percent gray hair who wants to blend the gray?

  1. Choose a shade one level lighter than the natural color to soften the gray
  2. Use a strong lightener to remove the gray first
  3. Choose a shade one level darker than the natural color and process fully Correct answer.
  4. Apply the color only to the gray strands

Explanation

Semi-permanent color deposits without lifting, so a shade close to or slightly darker than the natural color blends gray more effectively. Lighter shades leave gray more visible, and spot application creates an uneven result. Lightener is unnecessary and damaging for a gray-blending goal.

Question 20Hair Care and Hairstyling

A client with a round face shape asks for a haircut that creates the illusion of length. Which design choice best supports that goal?

  1. Height at the crown with soft, face-framing layers Correct answer.
  2. Volume at the sides with a horizontal line
  3. A chin-length blunt bob with a straight fringe
  4. A wide, flat silhouette with no layers

Explanation

Height at the crown and vertical, face-framing layers draw the eye upward and elongate a round face. Horizontal lines and side volume widen the face, and a flat silhouette emphasizes roundness. The goal is to create vertical interest rather than width.

Question 21Hair Care and Hairstyling

During a foil highlight service, a client reports a burning sensation on the scalp. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

  1. Remove the product immediately and rinse the scalp Correct answer.
  2. Cover the foils with a cap and wait
  3. Apply a toner over the foils to neutralize
  4. Continue processing and apply more product to dilute it

Explanation

Burning indicates possible chemical irritation or a reaction, so the product must be removed and the scalp rinsed promptly. Continuing or diluting the product prolongs exposure and increases the risk of injury. A toner cannot neutralize a reaction already occurring on the scalp.

Question 22Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which statement best explains why overlapping lightener on previously lightened hair can cause breakage?

  1. The developer loses potency when it contacts previously lightened hair
  2. Overlapping only affects the color result, not the hair's strength
  3. The hair becomes more resistant to lightener after the first application
  4. The cuticle is already compromised and further lifting weakens the cortex Correct answer.

Explanation

Previously lightened hair already has a raised cuticle and weakened cortex, so overlapping adds further stress and can cause breakage. It does not make hair more resistant; in fact, porous hair processes faster. The damage is structural, not merely cosmetic.

Question 23Hair Care and Hairstyling

A client with tightly coiled hair wants a smooth blowout. Which preparation step is most important before heat styling?

  1. Skipping conditioner to keep the hair stiff
  2. Shampooing with a high-pH clarifier immediately before styling
  3. Applying a heavy wax to seal the ends
  4. Detangling thoroughly and applying a heat protectant Correct answer.

Explanation

Thorough detangling prevents breakage during stretching and combing, and heat protectant reduces thermal damage. Heavy wax weighs hair down and can burn, while high-pH clarifiers roughen the cuticle. Skipping conditioner makes coiled hair more brittle and prone to snapping.

Question 24Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which technique correctly demonstrates checking the tension of a section before a haircut?

  1. Hold the section at a 45-degree elevation with slight tension and comb it smooth Correct answer.
  2. Grip the ends and let the hair hang freely
  3. Hold the section straight out at 90 degrees and pull firmly
  4. Press the section flat against the scalp with no tension

Explanation

Cutting sections are held with slight, even tension at the intended elevation so the cut line is consistent and the hair falls as designed. Firm pulling stretches the hair and produces an uneven line when it relaxes. Free-hanging or untensioned sections give no control over length.

Question 25Hair Care and Hairstyling

What is the purpose of a patch test before applying a permanent hair color or lightener to a new client?

  1. To measure the hair's porosity level
  2. To check for an allergic reaction to the product before full application Correct answer.
  3. To decide which developer volume to use
  4. To determine the exact processing time for the full service

Explanation

A patch test exposes a small area of skin to the product to detect an allergic reaction before the full service. It does not determine processing time, porosity, or developer strength; those come from a strand test and hair analysis. A positive reaction means the service should not proceed.

Question 26Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which term describes the hair's ability to absorb and hold moisture, and is assessed by feeling how quickly the cuticle takes in water?

  1. Elasticity
  2. Texture
  3. Porosity Correct answer.
  4. Density

Explanation

Porosity refers to the cuticle's capacity to absorb and retain moisture, and it is commonly evaluated by observing how quickly hair wets or floats. It guides product selection and chemical service planning because highly porous hair accepts moisture and chemicals rapidly.

Question 27Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which growth phase is the resting stage in which the hair follicle is dormant before the strand sheds?

  1. Telogen Correct answer.
  2. Anagen
  3. Catagen
  4. Keratinization

Explanation

Telogen is the resting phase, lasting roughly three months, at the end of which the club hair sheds and a new cycle begins. Anagen is active growth and catagen is the transitional phase that precedes it.

Question 28Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which styling tool is designed with a round barrel and is used to create volume and curl while blow-drying?

  1. Paddle brush
  2. Wide-tooth comb
  3. Thermal round brush Correct answer.
  4. Vent brush

Explanation

A thermal round brush has a cylindrical barrel that lets the stylist lift the root and roll the hair into a curl while heat is applied. The barrel shape supports tension and curvature that flat tools cannot produce.

Question 29Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which term describes the process of removing bulk weight from the interior of a hair section without shortening the outer perimeter?

  1. Point cutting
  2. Blunt cutting
  3. Channel cutting Correct answer.
  4. Clipper-over-comb

Explanation

Channel cutting removes interior weight by carving out sections beneath the surface, leaving the outer length intact. It is used to reduce bulk in thick hair while preserving the perimeter line.

Question 30Hair Care and Hairstyling

A client with fine, straight hair wants a longer-lasting set that will not collapse. Which choice best supports hold?

  1. Wrapping the hair damp and letting it air dry without product
  2. Applying a heavy oil-based pomade before wrapping and drying under a hood
  3. Using a large-barrel roller with a wide section of hair
  4. Applying a light setting lotion before wrapping and drying fully under a hood Correct answer.

Explanation

A light setting lotion adds temporary hold and film that helps fine hair keep its shape once dry, and complete drying sets the curl. Fine hair lacks natural body, so product support plus thorough drying prevents collapse.

Question 31Hair Care and Hairstyling

A client with an oily scalp and dry ends asks which shampoo routine suits them. What is the most appropriate recommendation?

  1. A volumizing shampoo left on the scalp for ten minutes before rinsing
  2. A clarifying shampoo applied root to tip daily
  3. A gentle shampoo concentrated at the scalp with conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends Correct answer.
  4. A moisturizing shampoo applied only to the ends

Explanation

Shampoo is designed to cleanse the scalp, where oil and debris collect, while conditioning agents belong on the drier mid-lengths and ends. This balances oil control at the root with moisture where the hair needs it.

Question 32Hair Care and Hairstyling

During a thermal curling service, the iron is held too long on one section and the hair begins to smoke slightly. What is the correct immediate action?

  1. Increase tension on the section to smooth the singed ends
  2. Apply a heat protectant to the hot section and resume
  3. Remove the iron, allow the section to cool, and inspect for damage before continuing Correct answer.
  4. Continue but lower the iron temperature for the rest of the hair

Explanation

Smoke or a burning odor signals heat damage, so the iron must be removed at once and the section allowed to cool before inspection. Continuing heat on compromised hair worsens cuticle damage and breakage.

Question 33Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which braiding term refers to the technique of adding new hair to the braid as it progresses along the head?

  1. Overlapping
  2. Backcombing
  3. Weaving-in Correct answer.
  4. Anchoring

Explanation

Weaving-in means incorporating additional hair into the braid as it advances, which builds the braid along the scalp. Anchoring secures a braid base, and backcombing is a separate volumizing technique.

Question 34Hair Care and Hairstyling

A stylist is performing a virgin relaxer on a client with resistant, coarse hair. Which application sequence best protects the scalp and hair?

  1. Apply the relaxer to the mid-lengths first, then the scalp, then the ends
  2. Apply the relaxer evenly from scalp to ends at the same time
  3. Apply the relaxer to the ends first, then the scalp last
  4. Apply the relaxer to the scalp first, then work toward the ends Correct answer.

Explanation

For virgin relaxer application, the product is applied at the scalp area first because the hair there is the most resistant and the scalp tolerates product best when freshly protected. Working in this order allows even processing while avoiding over-processing of the more fragile ends.

Question 35Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which condition most directly indicates that a client's hair is too fragile to withstand a chemical service?

  1. The hair stretches and does not return to its original length Correct answer.
  2. The hair is naturally curly
  3. The hair has been recently shampooed
  4. The hair is dense at the crown

Explanation

Hair that stretches without returning lacks normal elasticity, indicating weakened bonds and a high risk of breakage under chemical processing. A strand test that fails this check is a contraindication for chemical services.

Question 36Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which technique best preserves length when trimming the ends of curly hair that has been blow-dried straight?

  1. Cut the hair while it is wet and curly to check the shape
  2. Cut the hair in its natural curly state only
  3. Cut the hair with a razor while damp
  4. Cut the hair dry in its straightened state and check the curl pattern before finishing Correct answer.

Explanation

Cutting curly hair dry in its straightened state allows the stylist to see the actual length and line, then releasing the curl confirms the shape. Wet or curly cutting can hide shrinkage and produce an uneven result.

Question 37Hair Care and Hairstyling

A client with a long, narrow face wants a style that adds width. Which design choice best supports that goal?

  1. A side part with soft volume at the sides and a fringe Correct answer.
  2. A center part with long, straight layers
  3. A tight, slicked-back style with no volume
  4. A high, narrow updo with no side width

Explanation

A side part with side volume and a fringe adds horizontal width and visually shortens a long face. Center parts and slicked styles emphasize length and narrowness.

Question 38Hair Care and Hairstyling

Which statement correctly explains why a hard press requires more heat and tension than a soft press?

  1. A hard press is performed only on wet hair
  2. A hard press uses lower heat to protect the cuticle
  3. A hard press removes the cuticle layer permanently
  4. A hard press straightens the hair completely by using higher heat and firmer tension to break the curl pattern Correct answer.

Explanation

A hard press uses higher temperature and stronger tension to fully straighten the curl pattern, while a soft press only loosens it. The distinction lies in the degree of straightening and the heat and tension used, not in permanent structural removal.

Question 39Hair Care and Hairstyling

During a roller set, a stylist notices that the ends of a section are not wrapped smoothly and are folded over. What is the most likely result if the set is dried as is?

  1. A tighter curl with improved elasticity
  2. A fishhook or crimped end that creates a weak, kinked curl Correct answer.
  3. Faster drying with no effect on the finished curl
  4. A smoother curl with more shine

Explanation

Ends that are folded or not wrapped smoothly dry into a kink, often called a fishhook, which weakens the finished curl. Smooth end paper and even tension are required for a clean curl formation.

Question 40Hair Care and Hairstyling

A client with highly porous, previously lightened hair requests a permanent wave. Which approach best reduces the risk of damage?

  1. Use a stronger waving lotion to ensure the curl takes
  2. Skip the test curl because the hair is already lightened
  3. Perform a test curl and consider a milder formulation with shorter processing Correct answer.
  4. Apply the neutralizer before the waving lotion to protect the hair

Explanation

Highly porous hair absorbs chemicals quickly, so a milder formulation and a test curl help control processing and prevent over-exposure. The test curl confirms how the hair is responding before the full service continues.

Question 41Haircutting

Which cutting line runs parallel to the floor and builds weight at the perimeter of the hair?

  1. Horizontal line Correct answer.
  2. Vertical line
  3. Concave line
  4. Diagonal line

Explanation

A horizontal cutting line is parallel to the floor and, when used to cut the perimeter, leaves length and weight at the bottom edge of the shape. Vertical and diagonal lines remove weight from that perimeter area instead.

Question 42Haircutting

A client requests a blunt chin-length bob with a solid perimeter. Which elevation should the stylist use at the perimeter?

  1. 0 degrees Correct answer.
  2. 180 degrees
  3. 90 degrees
  4. 45 degrees

Explanation

A solid form is cut at zero elevation so all lengths fall to the same guideline and create an unbroken perimeter line. Higher elevations remove weight and produce graduation or layering.

Question 43Haircutting

What does a tension test tell a stylist before beginning a haircut?

  1. Whether the hair has been chemically relaxed
  2. How much the hair stretches before breaking Correct answer.
  3. How fast the hair will dry
  4. Whether the scalp has dandruff

Explanation

The tension test, or elasticity test, stretches a small strand to judge how far it extends before snapping. Good elasticity means the hair can tolerate normal combing and shaping stress during the cut.

Question 44Haircutting

Which tool is designed to remove bulk from the interior of a section while blending lengths?

  1. Clipper with a guard
  2. Wide-tooth comb
  3. Razor
  4. Thinning shears Correct answer.

Explanation

Thinning shears have one straight and one notched blade that cut only a portion of the hairs in a section, reducing bulk and blending lengths. They are used within a section rather than to establish the perimeter.

Question 45Haircutting

Which guideline is established first and then used to cut subsequent sections to the same length?

  1. Natural distribution line
  2. Stationary guideline Correct answer.
  3. Traveling guideline
  4. Interior guideline

Explanation

A stationary guideline stays in place while all other sections are brought to it, which keeps lengths consistent across the head. A traveling guideline moves with each new section instead.

Question 46Haircutting

Which sectioning pattern divides the head into four quadrants using a center part and a crown-to-nape part?

  1. Four-section parting Correct answer.
  2. Horizontal sectioning
  3. Diagonal sectioning
  4. Pivoting sectioning

Explanation

The four-section parting is created with a center part from front hairline to nape and a part across the crown from ear to ear, giving four workable quadrants. It is the standard starting layout for many cuts.

Question 47Haircutting

What is the primary purpose of a cross-check in haircutting?

  1. To add texture to the ends
  2. To shorten the fringe
  3. To verify the cut from a different direction than it was cut Correct answer.
  4. To blend the neckline

Explanation

A cross-check involves combing the hair in a direction opposite to the cutting pattern and re-examining the line for balance and consistency. It catches uneven areas that the original sectioning could hide.

Question 48Haircutting

Which term describes the angle at which hair is held away from the head during cutting?

  1. Elevation Correct answer.
  2. Tension
  3. Distribution
  4. Graduation

Explanation

Elevation, also called projection, is the angle at which the hair is held relative to the head form. It determines where weight builds and how the finished shape falls.

Question 49Haircutting

A stylist wants a soft, textured perimeter on fine hair without removing overall length. Which technique best fits?

  1. Blunt cutting the perimeter
  2. Point cutting the ends Correct answer.
  3. Cutting at 180 degrees
  4. Clipper-over-comb at the nape

Explanation

Point cutting snips into the ends at an angle, softening the perimeter and adding movement while the overall length stays intact. Fine hair benefits because the technique removes only small amounts of weight.

Question 50Haircutting

When cutting a graduated form, where does the weight line appear?

  1. Midway between the perimeter and the occipital Correct answer.
  2. At the perimeter
  3. At the crown
  4. At the front hairline

Explanation

Graduation stacks length so weight builds along a line between the perimeter and the occipital area, depending on elevation. The lower the elevation, the closer the weight line sits to the perimeter.