The strength and durability of which hair bonds are significant in perming processes?

In the context of perming processes, the strength and durability of disulfide bonds are crucial. Disulfide bonds are strong chemical bonds formed between the sulfur atoms in the amino acid cysteine, which are found in the protein structure of hair. These bonds give hair its strength and shape.

During a perm, a reducing agent is used to break the disulfide bonds in the hair, allowing the hair to be reshaped into the desired curl or wave pattern. After the hair is set into the new shape, an oxidizing agent is applied to reform the disulfide bonds in their new configuration, thus making the curl permanent.

The robustness of disulfide bonds ensures that the new shape can withstand various conditions, contributing to the overall durability of the perm. This is in contrast to hydrogen and salt bonds, which are weaker and primarily responsible for the temporary shape of the hair, while keratin bonds refer more broadly to the structural integrity of the hair rather than the specific actions occurring during perming.