Insights on the Hair Keratin Structure Under Different Drying Conditions

September 2023 in “ Journal of Natural Fibers ”

José Pedro Carvalho, Carla Silva, Madalena Martins, Artur Cavaco‐Paulo

hair keratin microfiber towel polyester nylon alpha-helix structure mechanical wear resistance cotton towel blow-drier peak temperatures hair damage hair protein synthetic towel hair structure hair strength hair dryer hair protection

Studysummary This study found that using a microfiber towel to dry human hair better preserves hair keratin integrity and wear resistance compared to blow-drying or using a cotton towel, as indicated by stronger alpha-helix structure in FTIR analysis.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study "Insights on the Hair Keratin Structure Under Different Drying Conditions" found that drying hair with a microfiber towel (80% polyester/20% nylon) best preserves the integrity of hair keratin, maintaining its alpha-helix structure and providing 45% higher mechanical wear resistance compared to drying with a cotton towel or a blow-drier, which only had wear resistances of 17% and 10% respectively. The blow-drier and cotton towel methods also led to a decrease in peak temperatures, indicating potential hair damage. These findings suggest that using a microfiber towel to dry hair could reduce damage associated with the drying process.

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