Final answer:
The main ingredient in traditional waving lotions is karaya gum, which is used as a thickening agent to hold the hair in place during perming.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main ingredient in traditional waving lotions is typically karaya gum. Waving lotions, often used for hair perming, rely on substances that can make the hair flexible and moldable while reacting with the waving agents. Karaya gum is a thickening agent that comes from the dried sap of Sterculia trees and has the properties necessary to adhere to the hair and hold it in place during the perming process.