Before applying a neutralizer to the hair, it should be thoroughly what?

• A. Rinsed
• B. Shampooed
• C. Conditioned
• D. Oiled

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that neutralizer can only work properly once all of the chemical processing lotion (the smoothing/reducing solution) has been removed. Thorough rinsing washes away these residues so the hair isn’t exposed to ongoing chemical activity when the neutralizer is applied. If any reducing agent remains, it can continue to break and reform bonds unpredictably, leading to uneven curl, overprocessing, or damage, and it can irritate the scalp. Rinsing clean establishes a neutral, safe starting point for the neutralizer to effectively rebuild the disulfide bonds and lock in the new shape. Conditioning or oiling would not remove those chemical residues, and shampooing is not the required first step before neutralizing, though a gentle wash afterward might be used for cleansing.