Delaware Cosmetology and Barbering Practice Exam

What is the chemical process that changes the structure of hair during permanent waving?

1. Oxidation

2. Reduction

3. Hydration

4. Emulsification

The correct answer is: Reduction

The correct answer is the process of reduction. In permanent waving, the hair’s structure is altered through a chemical reaction that breaks down the disulfide bonds in the hair’s protein structure, specifically keratin. This process involves reducing these bonds, allowing the hair to be reshaped into the desired curl or wave pattern. During the treatment, a reducing agent is applied, which penetrates the hair and facilitates the breaking of these disulfide bonds. This allows the hair to form new bonds in the shape of the wave or curl once it is wrapped around rods or rollers. After this, an oxidizing agent is typically used to reform the disulfide bonds in the new configuration, solidifying the altered shape of the hair. The other chemical processes listed do not play a role in the restructuring of hair during permanent waving. Hydration pertains to the addition of water or moisture, while emulsification refers to mixing immiscible liquids, such as oil and water. Oxidation, while related to chemical processes, primarily involves the addition of oxygen rather than the reduction of disulfide bonds, which is the crucial component for achieving a permanent wave.