Final answer:
The chemical phase of perming includes applying a perm solution to break disulfide bonds, wrapping hair around perm tools to shape it, rinsing the solution out, and applying a neutralizer to reform the bonds and set the hair's new shape.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical phase of perming involves several key steps, which include:
- Applying perm solution: This step involves the use of chemicals that break down the disulfide bonds in the hair's keratin structure, allowing the hair to take on a new shape.
- Wrapping hair around the perm tool: After the perm solution is applied, the hair is wrapped around perm rods or rollers, where it will form new bonds to create the desired curl or wave.
- Rinsing the perm solution from the hair: Once the hair has been processed for the appropriate time, the perm solution is rinsed off thoroughly to stop the chemical process.
- Applying neutralizer: An oxidizing agent, typically hydrogen peroxide, is used to neutralize the process by reforming the disulfide bonds in their new positions. This step 'sets' the new shape of the hair and completes the perming process.
It's important to understand that a perm is a type of permanent hairstyle, which can last several months as the hair grows out. The process radically alters the structure of the hair by chemically breaking and then reforming the disulfide bonds. This is a clear example of a chemical change, distinct from physical changes such as cutting the hair or water changing from gas to solid phase.