Types of Bonds in Hair: Hydrogen, Ionic, and Disulfide. Why They Matter for Beauty Professionals

For beauty professionals, it's important to understand the structure of the hair they work with daily. Knowledge of the types of chemical bonds in hair structure helps professionals select the right procedures, products, and techniques, providing clients with the best results. In this article, we’ll cover three main types of bonds: hydrogen, ionic, and disulfide, and explain why this knowledge is essential for the success of beauty specialists.

1. Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen bonds are weak but numerous bonds in hair fibers, formed between water molecules and keratin fibers. These bonds are temporary and break when exposed to water or heat. For example, during wet treatments such as eyelash and eyebrow lamination, hydrogen bonds are weakened, allowing for temporary changes in the hair's shape.

Why It Matters for Professionals:

• Knowledge of hydrogen bonds helps professionals correctly use moisturizing products and hair manipulation techniques.
• Understanding how hydrogen bonds reform helps professionals prolong the effects of treatments with the right aftercare and styling products.

2. Ionic Bonds

Ionic bonds form between positively and negatively charged parts of hair molecules. These bonds can break when the pH balance changes. For example, during eyelash and eyebrow lamination, the pH changes, allowing the temporary reshaping of hair fibers. Ionic bonds are also crucial when using tinting products, as the pH shift helps pigments adhere to the hair fibers.

Why It Matters for Professionals:

• Knowledge of pH balance and ionic bonds allows safe alteration of hair structure and shape during lamination treatments.
• Controlling the pH during tinting treatments ensures even pigment distribution and stronger bonding to the hair.
• Restoration products should maintain the natural pH balance to preserve hair strength and elasticity after treatments.

3. Disulfide Bonds

Disulfide bonds are the strongest and most critical for the structure of hair. They form between sulfur atoms in the amino acid cysteine, creating the molecule cystine. These bonds give hair its strength and stability and can only be broken chemically, such as during lamination. Breaking disulfide bonds allows the hair’s shape to be temporarily changed, after which these bonds are reformed to set the new shape.

Chemical Nature of Disulfide Bonds:

• In hair, the sulfur atoms in cysteine amino acids connect, forming strong disulfide bridges (bonds). These bridges are what give hair its structure.
• Breaking and reforming disulfide bonds is a key step in procedures designed for long-lasting shape changes.

Why It Matters for Professionals:

• Controlling disulfide bonds allows professionals to perform effective lamination treatments while maintaining hair health.
• Understanding the role of sulfur and cysteine helps professionals choose high-quality formulations that gently affect hair structure and provide long-lasting results.

Why This Knowledge Motivates the Use of Professional Products

Understanding how hydrogen, ionic, and disulfide bonds work helps professionals not only select the right formulations but also ensure the safety and longevity of treatments. The professional products available in the Beauty Master online store are designed with these principles in mind.

For example:

• ZOLA lamination products are formulated to consider all three types of bonds, ensuring gentle care and long-lasting results.
• Tinting products are developed to work with ionic bonds, allowing pigments to adhere effectively to hair.
• Hair restoration products help maintain the natural pH balance, protecting and strengthening hair after chemical treatments.

Conclusion: Knowledge of the chemical structure of hair and the different types of bonds helps professionals achieve safe and professional results. Using the professional products available in the Beauty Master online store allows professionals to ensure high-quality treatments and long-lasting effects, making their work even more successful.