Vermont Barbers and Cosmetologists Practice Exam 2025 - Free Barber and Cosmetologist Practice Questions and Study Guide

Decolorizing specifically refers to the process where the natural pigment in hair is removed or stripped away, allowing for a lighter base to work with. This process is essential for those looking to achieve a significantly lighter color or prepare the hair for subsequent coloring treatments.

When discussing hair care, this term is often associated with bleaching or lightening agents that penetrate the hair shaft, effectively breaking down the melanin that gives hair its color. This technique is often a preliminary step before applying a new hue, especially if a dramatic change is desired.

In contrast, enhancing hair color involves bringing out existing tones without removing them, while adding highlights entails selectively lightening small sections of hair rather than removing color entirely. The application of moisturizing products is unrelated to the alteration of hair color, focusing instead on maintaining hair health and hydration. Therefore, the definition of decolorizing is clearly centered around the removal or stripping of natural hair color.