Washington Cosmetology License Practice Exam

What is the primary chemical used in chemical perms?

1. Hydrogen peroxide

2. Ammonium thioglycolate

3. Alcohol

4. Keratin

The correct answer is: Ammonium thioglycolate

The primary chemical used in chemical perms is ammonium thioglycolate. This compound is a key ingredient in perm solutions because it has the ability to break the disulfide bonds in the hair's keratin structure. By breaking these bonds, the hair can be reshaped and reformed into curls or waves during the perming process. Ammonium thioglycolate works by softening the hair, allowing it to be molded around curling rods or rollers. Once the desired shape is achieved, a neutralizer is applied, which reforms the disulfide bonds and locks the new shape into place. This makes ammonium thioglycolate essential for achieving the desired texture and curl pattern in perming. The other options listed are not primarily responsible for the perming process. Hydrogen peroxide is often used as a bleaching agent or in some hair coloring processes rather than in the perming process itself. Alcohol can be part of some hair products but does not play a direct role in the chemical restructuring of hair during a perm. Keratin is a protein that forms the structure of hair but is not used as a chemical agent for perming; rather, it is often included in products for conditioning and strengthening the hair.