Delaware Cosmetology and Barbering Practice Exam

Which chemical process is used to break down hair's protein structure?

1. Coloring

2. Permanent waving

3. Cutting

4. Conditioning

The correct answer is: Permanent waving

The chemical process that breaks down hair's protein structure is permanent waving. This process involves the use of specific chemical agents, typically ammonium thioglycolate or glyceryl monothioglycolate, which alter the disulfide bonds in the hair. When these bonds are broken, the hair can be reshaped and given new curls or waves, which is the fundamental goal of permanent waving. In contrast, coloring primarily involves depositing pigment into the hair shaft rather than altering its structural proteins. Cutting involves physically shortening the hair without any chemical changes to its structure. Conditioning focuses on improving the appearance and manageability of hair by applying products that hydrate and smoothen the hair, without breaking down its protein structure. Thus, among the options provided, permanent waving is the only process explicitly aimed at changing the hair's protein composition to achieve a desired style.