What does neutralization chemically accomplish?

• A. It melts the keratin in the hair to allow curl.
• B. It oxidizes and rebuilds disulfide bonds to stabilize the new curl shape and stops processing.
• C. It adds dye molecules to the cortex.
• D. It soaks up excess moisture.

Answer: (B)

Neutralization’s job is to lock in the new shape by reforming the hair’s disulfide bonds after they’ve been broken during the waving process. The reducing step first breaks those bonds so the hair can take on a new curl or straightened form. The neutralizer then oxidizes the newly formed sulfhydryl groups back into disulfide bonds, stabilizing the curl and stopping further chemical action. This re-bridging of bonds is what keeps the hair in its new shape. The other options don’t describe this bonding reformation or the stopping of processing.