Evaluation of sensory parameters and tensile strength on damaged hair after ten washes with Mintop shampoo: in vitro study

INTRODUCTION

Hair is a unique biocomposite.¹ Healthy hair looks clean, soft to feel, shiny, untangled, has no frizz, and is bouncy.² At the molecular level, hair damage generally indicates the destruction of keratin.³ Hair damage occurs as a result of various external factors, primarily due to the impact of the environment and cosmetic treatments. These factors typically affect the tips of growing hair fibers, resulting in "wear and tear." Damage can be caused by friction resulting from brushing and combing, as well as excessive heat from tools such as hair dryers and curling irons. Additionally, chemical treatments, including bleaching, coloring, perming, and straightening, can cause structural and chemical damage to hair. Finally, exposure to ultraviolet radiation and photoaging can also have adverse effects on hair health.⁴ Dull, frizzy, dry hair with split ends is a sign of ill and damaged hair. These characteristics are due to changes in the physical, and mechanical characteristics of the fiber.⁵

Hair damage can affect the sensory parameters of hair, such as its texture, feel, and appearance. It also impacts the tensile strength of hair, which refers to its ability to resist stretching and breaking. Damaged hair can be weaker and more prone to breakage, especially when exposed to stressors like brushing or heat styling. This can lead to hair loss and thinning over time.¹ Hair products that improve the structural integrity of hair fibers and increase tensile strength are available, as are products that increase hair volume, reduce frizz, improve hair manageability, and stimulate new hair growth.⁶

The dermatologist plays a critical role in identifying and addressing the factors that impact scalp and hair health throughout a patient's lifetime. This involves developing personalized treatment plans that take into account the multifaceted nature of the condition, including educating patients on appropriate hair care practices such as using suitable shampoo and conditioner. Dermatologists must suggest shampoos that minimize the risk of frizz and interfiber friction augmentation.⁷ Shampoo is the most prevalent form of hair cleanser.⁸ Shampoos are not only scalp cleaners but also act on the hair shaft.^{Error! Bookmark not d efined.} An ideal shampoo must improve both physical and mechanical properties of hair like elasticity, smoothness, volume, shine, and softness. To improve the sensorial attributes (detangling, Combability, static, shine, softness, smoothness, bounce) and tensile strength of damaged hair, it is important to take steps to repair and protect the hair. This can include using hair care products like shampoos specifically designed for damaged hair, avoiding excessive heat styling and chemical treatments, and eating a healthy diet that supports hair growth and strength.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro hair sensory attributes and tensile strength on damaged hair tresses after 10 washes with Mintop shampoo.

METHODS

In the present study, Six natural black virgin Indian hair tresses were selected for pre-treatment weighed approximately 15-20 gms each and 8-10 inches in length. Initially, knots were combed and removed. Further hair tresses were washed with 20% SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) Solution (approximately 1 ml for 1 tress) to remove the sebum and debris. After washing tresses were dried overnight at room temperature. Damaging solution (pH 10.5) was prepared by adding 9% H₂O₂ & 20% Ammonia. Hair tresses were dipped in this damaging solution for 1 hour, then removed, rinsed thoroughly, and dried. Baseline evaluations were carried out for all the groups by keeping hair tresses at 30°C/65% RH for approximately 18 hours to condition them. Sensory Attribute Evaluations were carried out by 6 Medical Experts at Baseline and after 10 washes. Hair tresses were treated with 1 ml of Mintop shampoo (fortified with Procapil 1% and Redensyl 1%) and massaged for 1 minute on both sides. Tresses were rinsed till they were free from surfactant. Excess water was squeezed from the tresses and dried. This completed one wash cycle. Steps were repeated for 10 wash cycles. Tresses were maintained in controlled humidity and temperature (30°C/65% RH) before evaluations. Statistical analysis was done by using the statistical software SPSS 10.0. All p values were reported based on a two-sided significance test and all the statistical tests were interpreted at a 5% level of significance.

RESULTS

The study methodology includes pre-treatment of Hair tresses, damaging of hair tresses, Baseline Evaluations before treatment for all the groups followed by Hair Tress Treatment with Mintop Shampoo. All the sensory parameters were analyzed at baseline and after 10 wash cycles. The study results are depicted as follows:

Sensory analysis of hair parameters

Detangling: Post 10 wash cycles, the Mean (SD) Score of Detangling is 3.33 (0.516). A notable mean difference (p=0.023) was observed in detangling between baseline and post-treatment with Mintop shampoo (Table 1). From (Figure 1), a significant improvement in the mean score for detangling was observed after 10 wash cycles with Mintop Shampoo (Figure 1).

By Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test, *Significant

Combability: Post 10 wash cycles, the Mean (SD) Score of Combability is 4.00 (0.516). A marked mean difference (p=0.023) was seen in combability between baseline and post-treatment with Mintop shampoo (Table 2). A significant improvement in the mean score for combability was observed after 10 wash cycles with Mintop Shampoo compared to the baseline (Figure 2).

By Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test, *Significant

Static (Frizz): Post 10 wash cycles, the Mean (SD) Score of Static (Frizz) is 3.67 (0.516). A notable mean difference (p=0.026) was observed in Static (Frizz) between baseline and post-treatment with Mintop shampoo (Table 3). From (Figure 3), a significant improvement in the mean score for Static (Frizz) was observed after 10 wash cycles with Mintop Shampoo (Figure 3).

By Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test, *Significant

Shine: Post 10 wash cycles, the Mean (SD) Score of Shine is 3.00 (0.000). A marked mean difference (p=0.023) was seen in shine between baseline and post-treatment with Mintop shampoo (Table 4). A significant improvement in the mean score for Shine was observed after 10 wash cycles with Mintop Shampoo compared to the baseline (Figure 4).

By Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test, *Significant

Softness: Post 10 wash cycles, the Mean (SD) Score of Softness is 3.00 (0.632). A notable mean difference (p=0.023) was observed in Softness between baseline and post-treatment with Mintop shampoo (Table 5). From (Figure 5), a significant improvement in the mean score for Softness was observed after 10 wash cycles with Mintop Shampoo (Figure 5).

By Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test, *Significant

Smoothness: Post 10 wash cycles, the Mean (SD) Score of Smoothness is 3.33 (0.516). A marked mean difference (p=0.020) was seen in Smoothness between baseline and post-treatment with Mintop shampoo (Table 6). A significant improvement in the mean score for Smoothness was observed after 10 wash cycles with Mintop Shampoo compared to the baseline (Figure 6).

By Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test, *Significant

Bounce: Post 10 wash cycles, the Mean (SD) Score of Bounce is 3.33 (0.516). A notable mean difference (p=0.023) was observed in Smoothness between baseline post-treatment meant with Mintop shampoo (Table 7). From (Figure 7), a significant improvement in the mean score for Bounce was observed after 10 wash cycles with Mintop Shampoo (Figure 7).

By Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test, *Significant

Tensile strength: After the treatment with Mintop shampoo, the Mean (SD) Score of Tensile Strength is 99.17 (0.516). A marked mean difference (p=0.000) was seen in Tensile Strength between baseline and post-treatment with Mintop shampoo (Table 8). A significant improvement in the mean score for Tensile Strength was observed after 10 wash cycles with Mintop Shampoo compared to the baseline (Figure 8).

By Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test, *Significant

Strain: After the treatment with Mintop shampoo, the Mean (SD) Score of Strain is 44.24 (5.235). A notable mean difference (p=0.001) was observed in Strain between baseline and post-treatment with Mintop shampoo (Table 9). A significant improvement in the mean score for Strain was observed after 10 wash cycles with Mintop Shampoo compared to the baseline (Figure 9).

By Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test, *Significant

DISCUSSION

Shampoos form an inevitable part of everyone’s hair care routine.¹⁰ Although historically, cleansing the hair was their only function, today additional benefits are expected like easy combability, shine, softness, smoothness, and bounce.¹¹

Camargo et al stated that there is currently a great interest not only in developing products for the protection and recovery of damaged hair but also to investigate the safety and efficacy of hair care products.¹² Similarly, the results of the present study showed that the Mintop Shampoo helped repair damaged hair. Trueb et al indicated that shampoo treatments are the most commonly used means of managing hair. Modern shampoos are expected to be much more than mere cleansing agents. They are expected to not dry out the hair and simultaneously should enhance smoothness, shine, and bounce.¹² The findings of the present study revealed that there was a significant increase in hair sensorial attributes such as shine, softness, smoothness, and bounce. Qu et al stated that chemical treatments, including permanent dyeing, greatly disrupt the structural and mechanical properties of hair fibers and cause mechanical damage. As a result, the fibers become weak and are more susceptible to breakage with time. Therefore, the demand for products that improve the fiber qualities of hair is increasing rapidly. One of the simplest ways to assess the integrity and quality of the hair fiber is by measuring its mechanical properties.³ The present study results reported that there was a significant improvement in Tensile Strength was seen after 10 wash cycles with Mintop Shampoo. Mintop Shampoo is fortified with ingredients like Procapil and Redensyl that help with nourishing as well as strengthening the hair and aid in restoring the shine. Sulfate and paraben-free formula make Mintop Shampoo suitable for sensitive scalp skin types.

CONCLUSION

Mintop Shampoo significantly improves sensorial parameters of detangling, combability, static reduction, shine, softness, smoothness, and bounce after 10 hair wash cycles when compared to the baseline or initial damaged state. It also significantly improves the tensile strength and percentage elongation of the hair follicle.

Funding: No funding sources

Conflict of interest: None declared

Ethical approval: The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee

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