A composition and method of use therefor that allows for permanent straightening or curl of human hair that is not irritating to the skin, that does not have an obnoxious odor, that is significantly less damaging to hair, that allows for the immediate shampooing of hair thereafter and that provides for re-treatment of the hair without additional damage, primarily using urea and high temperatures to break and reform disulfide bonds as a means to allow for the penetration of low molecular weight proteins into the shaft of the hair.