In situ tensile deformation characterization of human hair with atomic force microscopy

This study used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to perform in situ tensile loading experiments on human hair fibers, marking the first time AFM was used for this purpose. The research aimed to understand how hair morphology changes under tension, comparing Caucasian virgin hair with chemically and mechanically damaged hair. Additionally, the study evaluated the effects of commercial conditioner on both virgin and damaged hair. The findings provided insights into the mechanisms of hair deformation and the impact of different types of damage and conditioning treatments on hair's tensile response.