What should be applied to protect the parts of the hair strand during a relaxer retouch service?

In a relaxer retouch service, it is crucial to protect the previously processed hair from chemical damage caused by the relaxer. The correct approach is to apply a protective cream, which acts as a barrier between the relaxing agent and the parts of the hair strand that have already been chemically treated.

This protective cream helps to prevent over-processing and minimizes the risk of breakage or damage to the hair, ensuring the integrity and health of the strands that do not require further relaxing. The use of protective cream is a standard practice in the cosmetic and hair care industry, specifically in chemical services, to safeguard the hair.

Conditioners and moisturizing lotions are typically used to hydrate and add moisture to the hair but do not provide the specific barrier that protective cream does during chemical applications. Hair oil may offer some moisture or shine but does not effectively protect against the harsh chemicals in relaxers. Thus, protective cream is the optimal choice for this scenario.