Chemical hair refers to hair that has been treated with chemical processes to alter its structure. This typically involves breaking down and reforming the bonds within the hair strands to achieve a different texture, such as straightening curly hair or creating curls in straight hair.
Here's a breakdown of what that entails:
- Breaking Down Protein Bonds: Chemical hair treatments work by disrupting the disulfide bonds (protein bonds) that give hair its shape.
- Altering the Structure: Once these bonds are broken, the hair can be reshaped.
- Rebuilding the Bonds: The hair is then treated with chemicals to reform and stabilize the new bond structure, locking in the desired shape.
Common examples of chemical hair treatments include:
- Hair Relaxing/Straightening: This process uses chemicals to permanently straighten curly or wavy hair. The reference indicates this involves breaking a specific amount of protein bonds to achieve a straight result.
- Permanent Waves/Perms: This process uses chemicals to create curls or waves in straight hair.
- Hair Coloring/Bleaching: While primarily focused on changing color, these processes also involve chemical reactions that can affect the hair's structure and integrity.
It's important to note that because these processes involve chemicals, they can potentially damage the hair if not performed correctly or if the hair is over-processed. Proper care and maintenance are crucial for maintaining the health and appearance of chemically treated hair.
