What is the correct term for the process of permanently altering the structure of the hair?

The process of permanently altering the structure of the hair is known as chemical waving. This technique involves using chemical solutions to break down the disulfide bonds in the hair's cortex, allowing the hair to be reshaped into different curl patterns. Once the hair is set in the desired style, the chemicals are neutralized, reforming the bonds in that new shape, thus creating a permanent wave or curl.

Chemical waving is differentiated from other processes such as hair coloring, which involves changing the color of the hair without altering its structure, and chemical relaxing, which aims to straighten hair by altering its structure, but in a different context. Heat styling refers to using tools like flat irons and curling wands to temporarily style the hair without any chemical alteration. Understanding these distinctions is essential for those in the cosmetology field, as it informs their decisions regarding hair treatments and services provided to clients.