A system and method of changing the shape of hair by breaking disulfide bridges in the keratin proteins of hair with atomic hydrogen. A hair setting structure is provided that contains at least one cathode and at least one anode. Hair is set into a predetermined shape. The hair is wet with the electrically conductive medium. Electrolysis is induced within the electrically conductive medium by flowing electrical current between cathodes and anodes. The electrolysis creates hydrogen. The hydrogen cleaves the disulfide bonds in the keratin proteins of the hair. After the disulfide bonds are broken, electrolysis is stopped and the hair is neutralized. The neutralization enables the disulfide bonds to reform, therein reshaping the hair into what is commonly referred to as a permanent wave.