What do true acid waves require to process effectively?

True acid waves require heat to process effectively. The reason for this is that true acid waves are formulated with a lower pH than alkaline waves, which means their chemical reactions occur more slowly. The application of heat accelerates the processing time of the waving solution, allowing the hair to achieve the desired curl pattern in a more manageable timeframe.

Heat helps to open the hair cuticle and enhance the penetration of the waving solution, thus ensuring that the bonds within the hair structure reform correctly after the curling process. By providing the necessary warmth, stylists can ensure that the acid waves achieve optimal results, leading to healthier, more resilient curls compared to those achieved without heat.

The other options do not fulfill the essential processing requirement for true acid waves, as alcohol can actually dry out the hair, water is essential for some processes but not a direct requirement for the effectiveness of the waves, and although time is important in the overall chemical process, it alone does not ensure that true acid waves will process effectively without the aid of heat.