Chapter 6 Milady/Cima: Chemistry and Chemical Safety

Thioglycolic acid

A colorless liquid or white crystals with a strong unpleasant odor that is used in permanent waving solutions. (Perms)

Physical Mixture

A physical combination of matter in any proportion.

Chemical Properties

Characteristics that can be determined only by a chemical reaction and a chemical change in the substance.

Glycerin

Sweet, colorless, oily substance used as a solvent and as a moisturizer in skin and body creams.

Chemical Change

A change in the chemical composition or makeup of a substance.

Physical Change

A change in the form or physical properties of a substance without a chemical reaction or the creation of a new substance.

Pure Substance

A chemical combination of matter in definite (fixed) proportions.

Molecule

A chemical combination of two or more atoms in definite (fixed) proportions.

Surfactants

A contraction of surface active agents; substances that allow oil and water to mix, or emulsify.

pH Scale

A measure of the acidity and alkalinity of a substance; the pH scale has a range of 0-14, with 7 being neutral. A pH below 7 is an acidic solution; a pH above a 7 is an alkaline solution.

Alkaline Solution

A solution that has a pH above 7 (neutral)

Acidic Solution

A solution that has a pH below 7 (neutral)

Solution

A stable, uniform mixture or two or more substances.

Reducing Agent

A substance that adds hydrogen to a chemical compound or subtracts oxygen from the compound.

Mutagen

A substance that causes an increase in cellular mutations, some of which are harmful but others which have little or no effect on the body's function; may cause cancer but not always.

Carcinogen

A substance that causes or is believed to cause cancer.

Oxidizing Agent

A substance that releases oxygen.

Sodium Hydroxide

A very strong alkali used in chemical products and cleaners; commonly known as lye.

Oil-In-Water (O/W) Emulsion

Abbreviated O/W emulsion; oil droplets emulsified in water.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Abbreviated VOCs; compounds that contain carbon (organic) and evaporate very easily (volatile)

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

Acids derived from plants (mostly fruit) that are often used to exfoliate the skin.

Volatile Alcohols

Alcohols that evaporate easily.

Alkanolamines

Alkaline substances used to neutralize acids or raise the pH of many hair products.

Alkalis

Also known as bases; compounds that react with acids to form salts.

Compound Molecules

Also known as compounds; a chemical combination of two or more atoms of different elements in definite (fixed) proportions.

Oxidation-Reduction

Also known as redox; a chemical reaction in which the oxidizing agent is reduced (by losing oxygen) and the reducing agent is oxidized (by gaining oxygen)

Glycolic Acid

An alpha hydroxy acid used in exfoliation and to lower the pH of products.

Ion

An atom or molecule that carries an electrical charge.

Emulsifier

An ingredient that brings two normally incompatible materials together and binds them into a uniform and a fairly stable mixture.

Anion

An ion with a negative electrical charge.

Cation

An ion with a positive electrical charge.

Emulsion

An unstable physical mixture or two or more immiscible substances (substances that normally will not stay mixed) plus a special ingredient called an emulsifier.

Matter

Any substance that occupies space and has mass (weight)

Physical Properties

Characteristics that can be determined without a chemical reaction and that do not cause a chemical change in the substance.

Exothermic Reaction

Chemical reaction that releases a significant amount of heat.

Endothermic Reaction

Chemical reaction that requires the absorption of energy or heat from an external source for the reaction to occur.

Ammonia

Colorless gas with a pungent odor that is composed of hydrogen and nitrogen.

Hydrophilic

Easily absorbs moisture; in chemistry terms, capable of combining with or attracting water (water-loving)

Lipophilic

Having an affinity for or an attraction to fat and oils (oil-loving)

Miscible

Liquids that are mutually soluble, meaning that they can be mixed together to form stable solutions.

Immiscible

Liquids that are not capable of being mixed together to form stable solutions.

Combustible

Material that is capable of igniting and burning.

Elemental Molecule

Molecule containing two or more atoms of the same element in definite (fixed) proportions

Overexposure

Prolonged, repeated, or long-term exposure that can cause sensitivity.

Combustion

Rapid oxidation of a substance accompanied by the production of heat and light.

Safety Data Sheet

Required by law for all products sold; SDS include safety information about products compiled by the manufacturer, including hazardous ingredients, safe use and handling procedures, proper disposal guidelines, and precautions to reduce the risk of accidental harm or overexposure.

Chemistry

Science that deals with the composition, structures, and properties of matter and how matter changes under different conditions.

Silicones

Special type of oil used in hair conditioners, water-resistant lubricants for the skin, and nail polish dryers.

Electrons

Subatomic particles with a negative charge.

Protons

Subatomic particles with a positive charge.

Neutrons

Subatomic particles with no charge.

Incompatible

Substances that should not be mixed or even stored near each other.

pH

The abbreviation used for potential hydrogen. pH represents the quantity of hydrogen ions.

Ionization

The separation of an atom or molecule into positive and negative ions.

Element

The simplest form of chemical matter; an element cannot be broken down into a simpler substance without a loss of identity.

Atoms

The smallest chemical components (often called particles) of an element; structures that make up the element and have the same properties of the element.

Solvent

The substance that dissolves the solute and makes a solution.

Solute

The substance that is dissolved in a solution.

Suspensions

Unstable physical mixtures of undissolved particles in a liquid.

Water-in-Oil (W/O) Emulsion

Water droplets emulsified in oil.

Acid-Alkali Neutralization Reactions

When acids are mixed with alkalis in equal proportions, balancing the total pH and forming water (H2O) and a salt.

Flammable

material that is capable of igniting and burning, and easier to ignite than combustible material