Which statement about neutralizer ingredients is true?

• A. They include oxidizers such as sodium bromate, sodium perborate, and hydrogen peroxide
• B. They are identical to waving solutions
• C. They contain ammonia
• D. They have no chemical effect

Answer: (A)

Neutralizers in permanent waving perform oxidation to re-form the hair’s disulfide bonds that were broken during the waving solution. Because of this role, they include oxidizers such as hydrogen peroxide, sodium bromate, and sodium perborate. This oxidation step fixes the new shape by rebuilding the covalent bonds that determine curl or wave. They are not the same as waving solutions, which are reducing agents that break bonds, and they don’t typically rely on ammonia. So the statement that neutralizers contain oxidizers is the accurate description of their ingredients and function.