What is the main ingredient listed for neutralizers used after perming?

• A. Sodium bromate, sodium perborate, and hydrogen peroxide
• B. Sodium thiosulfate
• C. Ammonium thioglycolate
• D. Sodium bisulfate

Answer: (A)

When a perm is finished, the neutralizer’s job is to rebuild the disulfide bonds that were broken during the waving lotion step. This is done by oxidizing those sulfur atoms, so the neutralizer must contain an oxidizing agent. Hydrogen peroxide is the classic oxidizer used in neutralizers, and sodium bromate or sodium perborate are also common oxidizers that achieve the same rebuilding effect. That’s why a mix that lists sodium bromate, sodium perborate, and hydrogen peroxide best matches what neutralizers are designed to contain.

Sodium thiosulfate isn’t used as the neutralizer here; it’s associated with other chemical processes. Ammonium thioglycolate is the reducing agent in the waving solution, not the neutralizer. Sodium bisulfate is an acid and would not provide the oxidizing action needed to reform disulfide bonds.