What is the function of a neutralizer in hair treatment?

The function of a neutralizer in hair treatment is to stop the action of the waving solution. When a perm or wave is performed, a waving solution is applied to break down the hair's natural structure, allowing it to be reshaped. Once the desired curl or wave has been achieved, a neutralizer is used to halt the chemical process by reestablishing the disulfide bonds in the hair.

This stopping of the action is crucial to ensure that the hair maintains the new shape created by the waving solution. If the neutralizer was not used, the chemical reaction would continue, potentially leading to overprocessing, which can damage the hair and result in the loss of the intended style. The neutralizer effectively stabilizes the hair's new configuration and helps secure the curls or waves, ensuring they last.

The other options do not accurately represent the primary role of a neutralizer. For instance, coloring the hair is a different process that involves pigments and does not relate to neutralizing the waving solution. Enhancing hair volume and moisturizing the hair are also separate concerns that do not align with the purpose of a neutralizer in this context.