After initial application of oxidative color what happens?

• A. The Hair Strand Shrinks
• B. The Hair Strand Swells
• C. The Color Fades Immediately
• D. The Cuticle Tightens

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that oxidative color uses an alkaline environment to open the hair’s cuticle and make the cortex more receptive to pigment. When the developer raises the pH, the cuticle layers lift and the strand swells, increasing porosity so pigment molecules can penetrate into the cortex. This swelling is a normal part of the processing that allows the color to form and later develop into a permanent shade. Shrinking, immediate fading, or the cuticle tightening don’t describe what happens during the initial application.