Florida Restricted Barber Practice Exam 2025

What chemical process does hair go through when it is permanently waved?

1. The absorption of moisture

2. The breaking and reformation of disulfide bonds

3. The flattening of cuticle layers

4. The addition of color pigments

The correct answer is: The breaking and reformation of disulfide bonds

When hair undergoes permanent waving, the primary chemical process involved is the breaking and reformation of disulfide bonds. These bonds are integral to the hair’s structure, providing strength and shape. During the permanent waving process, a reducing agent is applied, which breaks the disulfide bonds in the keratin structure of the hair. This allows the hair to be molded into a new shape or curl pattern. After the hair is wrapped around rods or curlers, a neutralizing solution is then applied, which causes the disulfide bonds to reform in their new position, effectively "locking in" the wave or curl. The other choices relate to different processes: the absorption of moisture refers to how hair can absorb water and swell, which is not specific to waving; the flattening of cuticle layers is more associated with techniques that smooth hair rather than wave it; and the addition of color pigments pertains to hair coloring processes, which do not involve altering the structure for curling or waving. Thus, the breaking and reformation of disulfide bonds is the accurate and essential过程 for achieving a permanent wave.