Ace the Rhode Island Cosmetology & Barbering Exam 2026 – Style Your Future with Confidence!

The key ingredient in a perm solution that breaks the disulfide bonds in hair is ammonium thioglycolate. This compound works by penetrating the hair shaft and reducing the disulfide bonds, which are responsible for the hair's natural shape and texture. When these bonds are broken, the hair can be shaped into a new form, allowing for curls or waves to be created during the perming process.

Ammonium thioglycolate is often used in cold perm solutions because it is less alkaline and milder than some other chemical straighteners, making it well-suited for various hair types. The ability of ammonium thioglycolate to effectively reduce the disulfide bonds is crucial in the perming process, enabling stylists to achieve the desired curl pattern.

Other options may refer to different chemical processes or applications within cosmetology. For instance, sodium hydroxide is an alkaline compound that is primarily used in chemical relaxers, while glyceryl monothioglycolate is a gentler alternative used in some perms but does not widely break disulfide bonds as effectively as ammonium thioglycolate. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent often associated with lightening hair color rather than altering its texture through perming.