Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Hair Perms 
Name: amanda
Status:   student
Age:   17
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999-2001
Question:
What kind of chemicals are added to hair perms?

Replies:
First, see

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99756.htm

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99771.htm

The specific chemicals to do the job are contain sulfur compounds that disrupt the interactions between the sulfur compouonds in hair. Specifically, they act to "reduce" disulfide bonds between hair amino acids. After the hair is set in its new style, oxygen from the air causes new disulfide bonds to form to hold the hair in its new shape. That's why it is "permanent."

Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois


Click here to return to the General Topics Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: February 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory