What do permanent waves rely on to achieve their desired result?

Permanent waves, often referred to as perms, achieve their desired result through a combination of heat and chemicals. The process involves using a chemical solution to break down the disulfide bonds in the hair structure, allowing it to be reshaped. The hair is then wrapped around rods or curlers and heated, which helps to form new disulfide bonds once the chemical solution is neutralized.

In this method, the chemicals alone can alter the hair's texture, but heat is essential for further shaping the hair into curls or waves. The combination ensures the hair maintains its new shape after the processing is complete. This synergistic effect of heat and chemicals is what makes permanent waves effective and versatile for different hair types and styles.

To contrast, relying solely on heat or chemical reactions would not produce the same lasting results as the combination. Hand manipulation, while important in the styling process, does not alter the chemical structure of the hair; therefore, it cannot be the primary method for achieving permanent waves.