Women's love for beauty is innate. A beautiful hairstyle not only flatters facial features but can also subtly reduce perceived age. Thus, perms and hair coloring have become routine for modern women. But are you aware of the potential harm perms can cause to your body? Below, we reveal the hidden risks of chemical perms. We hope this information proves helpful.
Perms are a hair styling method divided into physical and chemical types, with chemical perms being the most common today. Women typically pursue perms for two main reasons: to achieve fuller, curlier hair and to alter hair shape and direction. The perming process involves two key steps. First, chemical reactions break the disulfide bonds and hydrogen bonds within the hair.
Hair is composed of keratin protein, formed by a chain of amino acids. This macromolecule resembles a long chain, with amino acids serving as individual links.Cysteine, a prominent amino acid in hair, forms disulfide bridges when two cysteine molecules bond at different locations. These disulfide bridges resemble tiny springs, giving hair its shape and elasticity.This leaves the internal structure unprotected, causing moisture and nutrients to escape. This damages the hair, scalp, and follicles, leading to varying degrees of denaturation in the keratin protein. As a result, hair becomes prone to yellowing, brittleness, and shedding, losing its luster and elasticity.
The most significant hazard in perming comes from the chemical solutions. Many perm solutions on the market contain alkaline ingredients with oxidizing properties. Once they come into contact with the scalp, they can damage the hair cuticle, causing the hair to lose all its moisture.
Women familiar with perms often recognize another major drawback: it leaves hair dry and dull. Straw-like hair is truly frustrating. For those with pre-existing skin sensitivities, the risks are heightened, as perm solutions are highly allergenic. Always undergo an allergy test before perming to protect your hair.Avoid compromising your health.
The ammonium thioglycolate (alkaline) in specialized perm solutions penetrates through the hair cuticle into the cortex, altering the protein chain structure to form curls. The process typically begins with a reducing chemical solution that breaks down the cystine disulfide bonds—the tiny springs holding the hair structure together—splitting them into two separate cysteine molecules.This loosens the amino acid chain segments, allowing them to be manipulated into specific wave patterns.
A setting lotion is then applied, causing the broken cystine chains to pair up with nearby molecules, forming new bonds that fix the new wave pattern.During the perming process, the alkaline components and oxidative action in the chemical solution damage the outer cuticle layer of the hair.
This leaves the internal structure unprotected, causing loss of moisture and nutrients. It harms the hair, scalp, and follicles, leading to varying degrees of denaturation in the keratin protein. This makes hair prone to yellowing, brittleness, loss of shine, and reduced elasticity.Experts advise against frequent perming—no more than four times a year. Pregnant women should avoid perms due to potential risks to fetal health. Young girls with delicate scalps are prone to scalp damage and bacterial infections from perms. Those with dry scalps should especially avoid frequent chemical treatments.
Permanent wave solutions currently sold globally still rely on thioglycolic acid derivatives as active ingredients, posing similar safety concerns.
This concludes our overview of the health risks associated with permanent waves. We hope you now have a clearer understanding. Wishing you good health and happiness.