What restores disulfide bonds and reduces swelling during a chemical texture service?

• A. Neutralizer
• B. Rinsing
• C. Acid Perms
• D. Prewrap Product

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the neutralizer re-forms the hair’s disulfide bonds after they’ve been broken to reshape the hair. During a chemical texture service, a reducing agent opens the disulfide bonds (the cross-links that give structure), allowing the hair to be rearranged. The neutralizer then oxidizes the hair’s thiol groups back into disulfide bonds, locking the new shape in place. This rebuilding of the bonds also tightens the cortex and reduces swelling that occurred while the bonds were broken, helping the hair hold its new texture. Rinsing simply removes chemicals and doesn’t rebuild bonds. The prewrap product is used for protection and prep, not bond restoration. Acid perms describe a type of system but still require a neutralizer to complete the process.