Final answer:
In bleaching the hair, the process involves a redox reduction, where the hair pigmentation is affected by electron transfer. Oxidizing agents remove electrons from colored pigments while reducing agents donate electrons, resulting in colorless compounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxidation is the loss of electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons. In bleaching the hair, the process involves a redox reduction, where the hair pigmentation is affected by electron transfer.
The oxidizing agents in the bleach remove electrons from the colored organic compounds, such as natural pigments, turning them into colorless ones. On the other hand, reducing agents in some bleaches donate electrons, resulting in the same effect of turning the colored pigments into colorless compounds.