In a chemical relaxer process, what bond is being broken?

In the chemical relaxer process, the main focus is on breaking disulfide bonds. Disulfide bonds are a type of strong chemical bond that forms between the sulfur atoms in the amino acids cysteine. These bonds play a crucial role in determining the structure and shape of the hair.

During a chemical relaxer application, the relaxer typically contains a reducing agent, which penetrates the hair shaft and breaks these disulfide bonds. This breaking of bonds allows the hair to be reshaped and straightened, as the previously curled or wavy structure can be altered to a more elongated form. Once the disulfide bonds are broken, the hair can be styled in its new shape until the bonds are reformed, which usually occurs when the hair is subjected to new treatments or conditions.

Understanding the role of disulfide bonds in hair structure is essential for anyone working in cosmetology, as it affects various chemical services like relaxing, perming, and coloring.