What is the appropriate action if a client has a sodium hydroxide relaxer and wants a reformation curl?

When a client has previously had a sodium hydroxide relaxer, it is crucial to recognize that this type of relaxer is highly potent and can cause significant alteration to the hair's texture and structure. Sodium hydroxide is an extremely alkaline ingredient that breaks down the hair's natural curl pattern efficiently. Therefore, attempting to perform a reformation curl immediately after a sodium hydroxide relaxer procedure may lead to over-processing of the hair.

Choosing to refuse services and explain why demonstrates professionalism and care for the client’s hair integrity. This approach ensures the hair is given time to recover from the chemical alterations and avoids damaging it further. Advising the client to wait several months allows the hair's health to be prioritized and, ultimately, helps achieve a more desirable outcome with the reformation curl service in the future. This consideration of hair health and structure is necessary to prevent complications such as breakage or damage due to conflicting chemical processes.