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Hair weathering and hair capacitance mapping: a pilot study
Claudine Piérard-Franchimont1, Gérald E Piérard
1Laboratory of Skin Bioengineering and Imaging, Department of Dermatopathology, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
|September 4, 2012
Summary
A new hair capacitance mapping (HCM) method objectively assesses hair moisture. This technique reveals hydration dynamics and hair shaft damage, aiding in evaluating hair care products and moisture kinetics.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology and Cosmetology
- Material Science
Background:
- Objective assessment of hair hydration mapping is currently unavailable.
- Evaluating hair moisture kinetics and its response to damage and products is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate a novel method for assessing hair moisture dynamics.
- To enable objective evaluation of hair hydration and surface damage.
Main Methods:
- Hair Capacitance Mapping (HCM) using SkinChip® semiconductor sensor technology.
- Monitoring intact and weathered hair locks subjected to water or shampoo solutions.
- Measuring time for water desorption from hair cuticular cells.
Main Results:
- HCM effectively detected increased hair surface moisture within 30 minutes of exposure to water or shampoos.
- The method identified a moisture gradient along the hair shaft from base to tip.
- Weathered hair samples demonstrated faster moisture loss compared to intact hair.
Conclusions:
- Hair Capacitance Mapping (HCM) shows significant promise for evaluating hair surface moisture dynamics.
- This method offers an objective approach to assess hair hydration and the impact of external factors.
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