During the neutralization step, which function is performed?

• A. Deactivation of waving solution and rebuilding disulfide bonds
• B. Removal of moisture from the hair shaft
• C. Color change of the cortex
• D. Formation of new melanin pigments

Answer: (A)

In chemical texture services, the neutralization step serves to stop the waving solution and to set the new curl by reforming the hair’s disulfide bonds. After the reducing agent breaks the original disulfide bonds, the neutralizer oxidizes the hair again, rebuilding those bonds in the new configuration so the shape holds. It also deactivates the waving lotion so processing stops. Other options don’t fit because removing moisture, changing cortex color, or creating melanin pigments aren’t functions of neutralization in a perm.