Vinegar and Perms: What You Need to Know (And Why It's Not Used)

Vinegar is not used during a hair perm. It is a common misconception that vinegar is used to neutralize the perm solution.

Here's why:

* Perm solutions are alkaline: They work by breaking down the hair's disulfide bonds, which are responsible for its shape.

* Vinegar is acidic: It has the opposite effect of a perm solution and wouldn't be able to neutralize it.

* Neutralizers are used: After the perm solution is applied, a neutralizer is used to reform the disulfide bonds in the desired shape. Neutralizers typically contain hydrogen peroxide.

So, while vinegar can be beneficial for hair health in other ways, it doesn't play a role in the hair perming process.