Which statement correctly describes the primary action of lighteners?

Which statement correctly describes the primary action of lighteners?

• A. To darken pigment
• B. To remove or diffuse natural pigment from the hair
• C. To deposit color
• D. To seal the cuticle

Answer: (B)

Lighteners lighten hair by removing or diffusing natural pigment through an oxidation process. Hair color comes from melanin in the cortex, and when a lightener is applied, the oxidizing agents break down melanin molecules and allow them to diffuse out of the hair shaft, resulting in a lighter shade. This action is about removing pigment, not adding color. Depositing color is what hair dyes or toners do, while sealing the cuticle is the job of conditioning or sealing products, not lighteners.

Lighteners lighten hair by removing or diffusing natural pigment through an oxidation process. Hair color comes from melanin in the cortex, and when a lightener is applied, the oxidizing agents break down melanin molecules and allow them to diffuse out of the hair shaft, resulting in a lighter shade. This action is about removing pigment, not adding color. Depositing color is what hair dyes or toners do, while sealing the cuticle is the job of conditioning or sealing products, not lighteners.