Chemical Process of a Perm

Stops the action of a permanent wave solution and rebuilds the hair in its new curly form.

• ammonium thioglycolate

• glyceryl monothioglycolate

• hydroxide neutralization

• thio neutralization

Perm activated by an outside heat source, usually a conventional hood type hair dryer.

• endothermic waves

• exothermic waves

• acid balance waves

• alkaline waves

Disulfide, salt, and hydrogen bonds that crosslink polypeptide chains together.

• amino acids

• peptide bonds

• lanthionization

• side bonds

A two step process whereby the hair undergoes a physical change caused by wrapping the hair on perm rods; the hair then undergoes a chemical change caused by the application of permanent waving solution and neutralizer.

• base relaxer

• hydroxide relaxers

• normalizing lotions

• permanent waving

Also known as cold waves; they have pH between 9.0 and 9.6, use ammonium thioglycolate(ATG) as the reducing agent, and process at room temperature without the addition of heat.

• alkaline waves

• acid balance waves

• ammonia free waves

• endothermic waves

Permanent waves that have a 7.0 or neutral pH; because of their higher pH, they process at room temperature, do not require the added heat of a hair dryer, process more quickly, and produce firmer curls than true acid waves.

• alkaline waves

• true acid waves

• thio free waves

• acid balanced waves

Strong chemical side bonds formed when sulfur atoms in two adjacent protein chains are joined together.

• hydrogen bonds

• peptide bonds

• disulfide bonds

• side bonds

Perms that use an ingredient that does not evaporate as readily as ammonia, so there is very little odor associated with their use.

• acid balanced waves

• alkaline waves

• endothermic waves

• ammonia free waves

Active ingredient or reducing agent in alkaline permanents.

• glyceryl monothioglycolate

• amino acids

• thioglycolic acid

• ammonium thioglycolate

Weak physical side bonds that are also the result of an attraction between opposite electrical charges; they are easily broken by water (wet setting) or heat (thermal styling), and they re-form as the hair dries or cools.

• side bonds

• peptide bonds

• hydrogen bonds

• side bonds