During a retouch relaxer, to minimize risk you should avoid what?

• A. Overlap relaxer
• B. Using a timer
• C. Conditioning beforehand
• D. Working with dry hair

Answer: (A)

Avoid overlapping the relaxer onto hair that has already been relaxed. This is the main way to minimize risk during a retouch because applying relaxer to the previously processed strands leads to over-processing, which can cause severe damage, breakage, and a visible line of demarcation where new growth meets processed hair. To prevent this, apply the relaxer only to the new growth and keep it away from the already relaxed sections, using careful sectioning and precise timing.

Using a timer is a safety step that helps control how long the product stays on the hair, reducing another source of risk. Conditioning beforehand isn’t the primary factor in minimizing risk and can interfere with processing if it leaves the hair too slippery or coated, while working with dry hair is typically part of the standard application to maintain control.