What is the main function of ammonium thioglycolate in hair treatments?

Ammonium thioglycolate serves as a reducing agent in hair treatments, particularly in the process of chemical hair waving and perming. Its primary function is to break the disulfide bonds in the hair's keratin structure, allowing the hair to be reshaped and reconfigured into new styles, such as curls or waves. By breaking these bonds, ammonium thioglycolate effectively softens the hair, making it pliable so it can take on the desired shape when wrapped around perm rods or other styling tools.

This action of reducing disulfide bonds is essential because once the hair is set in the desired shape and the reducing agent is neutralized, new bonds can form in the altered configuration, allowing the hair to retain its new style. The effectiveness of ammonium thioglycolate as a reducing agent is what makes it a popular choice in perm solutions.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the role ammonium thioglycolate plays in hair treatments. It does not serve as a colorant, which would relate to hair dye, nor does it function as a moisturizer or a sealing compound, which are typically used for hydration or finishing aspects of hair care.