South Carolina Barber Practice Exam

What type of chemical bond is broken during the perming process?

1. Hydrogen bonds

2. Salt bonds

3. Covalent bonds

4. Disulfide bonds

The correct answer is: Disulfide bonds

During the perming process, the main type of chemical bond that is broken is the disulfide bonds. These bonds are formed between the sulfur atoms in the amino acids of the hair. When hair undergoes perming, it is subjected to a solution that modifies its structure by breaking these disulfide bonds. This breaking allows the hair to be reshaped or curled. Once the disulfide bonds are broken, the hair can be molded into the desired shape. A subsequent neutralizing solution is applied to re-form the disulfide bonds in the new configuration, securing the curls or waves in place. This is crucial for the permanence of the perm, hence the focus on disulfide bonds being integral to the process. Understanding this mechanism is vital for anyone in the barbering and hairstyling profession, as it underpins the science of how perms change the hair’s structure.