Which product protects part of the hair strand from not being processed during a retouch service, preventing perm solution from being absorbed into the hair?

• A. Barrier cream
• B. Protective cream
• C. Neutralizer
• D. Hair conditioner

Answer: (B)

In this scenario the goal is to let the perm solution work only on the areas you want to process and keep the other parts of the strand from absorbing it. A protective cream is applied to the portions you want to shield, forming a barrier that reduces or blocks the perm solution from penetrating those hairs. This helps prevent overprocessing and preserves the existing curl pattern on the protected sections while the new growth is treated. While barrier cream is often used around the hairline to protect skin from chemical contact, the purpose described here—shielding the hair strand itself from absorption during a retouch—fits the protective cream. The neutralizer comes after processing to halt the chemical reaction, and a hair conditioner is for moisture and doesn’t prevent processing.