Used in hair care products, especially permanent wave solutions and hair straighteners, due to its ability to break disulfide bonds in keratin. Enables reshaping of hair structure.

Also employed in the synthesis of thioglycolate media for anaerobic microbiology.

Acts as a precursor in the production of vinyl resins and as a stabilizer in PVC.

Utilized in some skin depilatory creams for removing unwanted hair.

Serves as a chelating agent in various industrial processes, including metal cleaning and electroplating.

In laboratories, it functions as a reducing agent or solvent in certain chemical reactions, particularly those involving oxidation prevention.