NIC Cosmetology Written (Theory) ExamHair Care and ServicesHard
A client with recently relaxed hair complains of excessive dryness and breakage. The cosmetologist examines the hair and finds that it is very porous and lacks elasticity. What is the most likely cause of this condition?
- AInsufficient rinsing of the relaxer product.
- BThe client used a clarifying shampoo too soon after the service.
- COverlapping the relaxer onto previously relaxed hair.
- DThe neutralizer was applied incorrectly or not at all.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Overlapping the relaxer onto previously relaxed hair.
Overlapping relaxer onto previously relaxed hair is a common cause of severe damage, leading to excessive porosity, dryness, and breakage due to repeated chemical processing of already fragile hair.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Insufficient rinsing can leave residual relaxer, which could continue processing and cause damage, but 'overlapping' is a more direct and common cause of the described severe damage.
- B. Using a clarifying shampoo too soon might strip conditioning and potentially fade color, but it's less likely to cause the severe porosity and breakage associated with chemical damage.
- D. Incorrect or absent neutralizer application would result in continued processing, leading to damage similar to overlapping, but overlapping is a specific application error that directly causes the re-processing of already treated hair.
Relaxer Overlapping Damage
Damage occurring when chemical relaxer is applied to previously relaxed hair, causing severe over-processing, extreme porosity, dryness, and breakage.
- Common cause of severe chemical damage.
- Results in extreme porosity and lack of elasticity.
- Leads to dryness and breakage.
Memory trick: Relaxer damage: Overlap is the culprit, not just rinsing or shampoo.