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[.]

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[oldshaver]

Just a guess here, but to react with salt, to create a surfacant. Speed up re-hydration(change the tonicity level from hyper to isotonicity). I wouldnt think this would be very cost effective though.

[cyclone]

Seems I remember Lactic acid was called for as a de-liming agent for certain hair-off procedures.  It simply neutralized the lime in de-hairing solutions.  For hair on operations it may even  just lower the pH  of the soak.  Vinegar will do the same..