Question 1

What is the active ingredient in sodium hydroxide relaxers that breaks down the hair's disulfide bonds?

Accepted Answer

Sodium hydroxide (lye) is the active ingredient. It swells the hair shaft and permanently breaks disulfide bonds, straightening the hair.

Question 2

What type of relaxer is formed when guanidine carbonate and calcium hydroxide are mixed together?

Accepted Answer

A no-lye relaxer is formed. The two components react to create guanidine hydroxide, which straightens the hair without sodium hydroxide.

Question 3

Why must a base cream be applied to the scalp before a sodium hydroxide relaxer service?

Accepted Answer

Base cream protects the scalp from chemical burns caused by the highly alkaline sodium hydroxide relaxer.

Question 4

What is the term for the amount of time a relaxer is left on the hair to achieve straightening?

Accepted Answer

Processing time is the duration the relaxer remains on the hair. It is determined by hair texture, porosity, and the desired degree of straightness.

Question 5

What chemical process neutralizes a sodium hydroxide relaxer and stops its action on the hair?

Accepted Answer

Shampooing with a neutralizing or pH-balancing shampoo stops the relaxer's action by lowering the pH and closing the cuticle.

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