What effect does heat have in an exothermic perm?

In an exothermic perm, heat plays a crucial role in the chemical process that alters the hair's structure. This type of perm generates its own heat through a chemical reaction, primarily when the perm solution is applied to the hair. This released heat increases the temperature of the hair and the perming solution, which enhances the speed of the chemical reactions necessary for transforming straight hair into curls.

The accelerated processing time is significant because it allows the perming solution to work more efficiently and effectively, leading to quicker results in establishing the desired curl pattern. The heat works in conjunction with the active ingredients in the perm solution to create bonds in the hair, facilitating the restructuring needed for the curls to form.

While heat affects other aspects of the perm process, such as potentially impacting elasticity and longevity, its primary and most direct effect in the context of an exothermic perm is to speed up the overall processing time.