Hair Breakage Index: An Alternative Tool for Damage Assessment of Human Hair

The study introduced the Hair Breakage Index (HBI) as a novel method for assessing hair damage. HBI measures the diameter of hair at different points to determine breakage, with higher values indicating more damage. Over 16 weeks, 30 subjects using regular grooming practices showed a significant increase in HBI and a decrease in break stress, indicating more damage. Conversely, another group of 30 subjects who used coconut oil daily showed less increase in HBI and maintained break stress, demonstrating the protective effect of coconut oil. This study highlighted HBI as an effective tool for evaluating hair damage and the efficacy of hair care products.