TLDR Hair fibers degrade and change color in very basic water.
The study investigated the effects of altered pH levels on hair fibers, which are composed of the cuticle, cortex, and medulla, and protected by keratin. Hair fibers were exposed to acidic and basic water samples to simulate conditions relevant to forensic investigations. It was found that in extremely basic conditions, the hair fibers degraded, losing their keratin, changing color, and revealing the inner medulla.
4 citations
,
January 2020 in “Elsevier eBooks” 2 citations
,
July 2019 in “Cosmetics” Beautiful hair is flexible and elastic due to its unique double-layered structure and can be enhanced with succinic acid treatment.
March 2007 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science” Hair with more melanin resists weather damage better.
9 citations
,
January 2003 The evolution of mammal body hair remains a mystery.
3 citations
,
January 2002 in “Springer eBooks” Alkaline hair relaxers damage hair, but cationic and non-ionic polymers can help reduce this damage.
27 citations
,
February 1991 Cuticle damage doesn't affect hair's tensile strength; the cortex is responsible for it.
1 citations
,
January 1987 in “Journal of Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan” The method accurately measures hair damage and strength, revealing effects of cosmetics and metal correlations.
