During a wet set, what type of bonds are broken?

During a wet set, hydrogen bonds are the type of bonds that are broken. When hair is wet, the water penetrates the hair shaft and temporarily weakens the hydrogen bonds, which are responsible for maintaining the hair's shape and structure. These bonds are relatively weak, allowing the hair to be manipulated into new styles while it is damp. As the hair dries, these hydrogen bonds re-form, locking the hair into its new shape.

Understanding the role of hydrogen bonds is crucial in cosmetology, particularly when styling techniques that involve heat or moisture are used. In contrast, disulfide and covalent bonds are much stronger and are not easily broken by water; they typically require chemical processes for alteration. Ionic bonds, while they have their significance in some chemical processes, are not primarily involved in the temporary reshaping of hair during a wet set. Thus, the answer concerning the bonds that are affected during this styling technique clearly points to hydrogen bonds.