NIC Barber Written (Theory) ExamHair Care ServicesHard
A barber is performing a chemical relaxing service on a client with tightly coiled hair. During the processing, the barber notices the hair is becoming overly soft and mushy, and the coil pattern is completely gone. What immediate action should the barber take?
- AApply more relaxer to even out the processing.
- BRinse the relaxer thoroughly with warm water immediately.
- CWait for the full processing time to ensure complete straightening.
- DApply a neutralizing solution directly over the relaxer.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Rinse the relaxer thoroughly with warm water immediately.
Over-processing is indicated by mushy, overly soft hair with no coil pattern. Immediate rinsing with warm water is crucial to stop the relaxer's action and prevent severe damage or breakage.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Applying more relaxer would worsen the over-processing and cause severe damage.
- C. Waiting would result in extreme damage, breakage, and potentially chemical burns to the scalp.
- D. Applying a neutralizing solution directly over the relaxer without rinsing first would be ineffective and potentially damaging, as it would not stop the relaxer's action properly.
Over-Processing (Chemical Relaxing)
A condition in chemical relaxing where the hair has been exposed to the relaxer solution for too long, or the solution was too strong for the hair type, leading to excessive breakage of disulfide bonds. Symptoms include mushy, overly soft hair, loss of elasticity, and potential breakage.
- Can result in severe hair damage, including melting or breaking off.
- Often due to improper strand testing or timing.
- Requires immediate rinsing and neutralizing to minimize damage.
Memory trick: Mushy hair? Rinse and run!