What Is Ammonium thioglycolate?
Ammonium thioglycolate is a liquid that can be used in cosmetics to do different things to hair. It can make hair curl or straighten it, and it can also get rid of hair. This ingredient has a strong, bad smell like a skunk. Ammonium thioglycolate is sometimes called "perm salt" because it's used for perming hair. It's made up of a type of chemical called an organic ammonium salt with something called "thioglycolate" in it.
What is the purpose of Ammonium thioglycolate in personal care products?
It is used for its depilatory
, hair-waving and straightening, and reducing characteristics.
Ammonium thioglycolate removes surface hair from your skin, straightens or waves your hair, and stabilizes other ingredients.
Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Ammonium Thioglycolate, Ammonium sulfanylacetate, Ammonium mercaptoacetate, Thioglycolic acid ammonium salt, "Acetic acid, 2-mercapto-, ammonium salt", and "Acetic acid, mercapto-, monoammonium salt (1:1)".
What Are Depilatory Ingredients?
Ammonium thioglycolate has depilatory characteristics.
Depilatory ingredients break down the keratin proteins that make up the hair shaft, which weakens the hair and makes it easier to remove. They are commonly found in hair removal creams, lotions, and other cosmetic products.
Depilatory ingredients only remove hair from the skin's surface, so they may not be as sufficient as waxing to remove coarse hair or hair with deeper roots.
What Are Hair-Waving and Straightening Ingredients?
Ammonium thioglycolate has hair-waving and straightening characteristics.
Hair-waving and straightening ingredients change the texture of your hair and work by modifying the chemical structure of the hair, allowing it to be set in the style required.
Hair-waving products contain a chemical that breaks down the bonds that hold the hair in its current shape. Once these bonds are broken, the hair can be set in a new shape using rollers or other styling tools. Once the hair has been set, a neutralizing agent is applied, which reforms the broken bonds and sets the hair in its new shape.
On the other hand, hair straightening products break down the protein bonds in the hair and then re-form them in a straight pattern. This process usually involves a straightening iron or other heat sources to help set the hair in the desired shape. The results of hair straightening products can last up to several months, depending on how well the hair is cared for after the treatment.
The chemical ingredients in these products can vary, but many contain ammonium thioglycolate, which is used to break down the bonds in the hair for waving. For straightening, sodium hydroxide or guanidine hydroxide is often used to break down the protein bonds in the hair.
What Are Reducing Ingredients?
Ammonium thioglycolate has reducing characteristics.
Reducing ingredients play an essential role in cosmetic products. These ingredients work by changing the chemical nature of other ingredients present in the formula. They do this by adding hydrogen atoms or removing oxygen atoms from the molecules of those ingredients. This process is known as reduction, and it alters the chemical properties of the ingredients, making them more stable and effective in the final product.
Reducing ingredients are commonly used in cosmetic products to prevent oxidation, which can cause products to spoil or become ineffective. They can also improve the texture and appearance of the product, and in some cases, they can even increase the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Reducing ingredients are used in cosmetic products and have various applications in other industries. For example, they are used in the food industry to prevent oxidation and maintain the quality and shelf life of products such as fruits, vegetables, and beverages. In the pharmaceutical industry, reducing agents are used to improve the stability and efficacy of certain drugs.
Safety
Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.