Dilated Human Hair Fiber After Exposure to Flames for 'Split Ends' Cutting
February 2025
in “
Brazilian Journal of Hair Health
”
TLDR The Brazilian candle flame technique can damage hair by melting the cuticle and exposing the cortex.
The study examines the effects of the Brazilian candle flame technique "velaterapia" on hair, which is used for cutting split ends. While this method is gaining popularity, it poses risks as hair fibers can denature at 237ºC, leading to bubble formation that damages the cuticle by inflating the cortex. Although a thermal protector is used, it does not fully prevent cuticle melting. The study highlights the need for further research using tensile strength testing and spectroscopic analyses to assess additional potential damage to hair fibers.