Abstract
The effect of the p ermanent wave treatment on hair was assessed u sing an enzymatic method. Morphologically only n egligible difference was observed between untreated hair and p ermed hair. After protease treatment, the degradation o f p ermed hair was accelerated and a significant d ifference was observed between untreated and p ermed hair in morphology. There was a high correlation b etween the extent o f d egradation and the h air d amage. The d egradation g radually advanced from the hair surface to i nner h air fiber with increase in h air d amage. Furthermore, the structural change from Alpha-helix to random coil was found to advance from surface to inner h air fiber with an increase in hair damage. The degradation o f d amaged hair with protease appears to be closely related to the d enaturation of Alpha-helical region.
