What is the main active ingredient in alkaline perm solutions?

The main active ingredient in alkaline perm solutions is ammonia. Ammonia serves a critical role in the perming process by raising the pH of the hair, which allows the cuticle (the outer layer of the hair) to swell and open. This action enables the permanent waving solution to penetrate the hair shaft more effectively, facilitating the chemical reaction that changes the structure of the hair.

In alkaline perms, the higher pH creates a strong environment necessary for breaking down the disulfide bonds in the hair, which are responsible for its shape and texture. Once these bonds are broken, the hair can be reshaped into curls or waves by wrapping it around rods and applying a neutralizer afterward to reform the bonds in the new shape.

While other substances like hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide are used in different hair treatments (with hydrogen peroxide serving as an oxidizing agent for coloring and sodium hydroxide used in some relaxers), they are not the primary active ingredients in alkaline perm solutions. Glyceryl monothioglycolate, while beneficial in reducing damage and being milder, is primarily found in thioglycolate perm solutions, which are considered low-pH alternatives. Thus, ammonia is specifically recognized for its essential role in traditional alkaline perm