Impact of Acid Straightener's pH Value on Hair Fiber Properties

June 2019 in “ Journal of cosmetic dermatology ”

Alessandra Mari Goshiyama, Michelli Ferrera Dario, Cibele Rosana Ribeiro de Castro Lima, Gabriel Lima Barros de Araújo, André Rolim Baby, Maria Valéria Robles Velasco

acid straightener pH value hair shaft tensile strength tryptophan content differential scanning calorimetry environmental scanning electron microscope

Studysummary In this study, tresses treated with pH 1.0 acid straightener showed better straightening but more damage to hair properties compared to those treated with pH 2.0. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study analyzed the impact of acid straightener products with pH values of 1.0 and 2.0 on hair shaft properties. Tresses treated at pH 1.0 showed a 59.4% improvement in combing tests compared to 33.0% at pH 2.0, but also experienced a greater decrease in tensile strength (16.0% vs. 9.0%) and lower tryptophan content. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated impairment in straightened tresses, and environmental scanning electron microscope images suggested a film formation around the fiber. The study concluded that lower pH values caused more significant modifications to the hair shaft.

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