Damage Limitation: Comparing the Impact of Polymers on Bleached Hair, When Applied Within or as Post-Bleach Treatments
TLDR Polymers help reduce damage and improve bleached hair when used during or after bleaching.
The study compared the effects of three active polymers on bleached hair, assessing their impact when applied with the bleaching cream (WB) and after bleaching (AT). Hair bleaching was known to cause chemical and structural damage, primarily through the oxidation of disulphide bonds in cystine, affecting Keratin Associated Proteins (KAP) and destabilizing the cortex structure. This led to decreased protein order, reduced mechanical strength, and lower denaturation temperature, along with cuticle damage. The research aimed to mitigate these changes, providing structural benefits and sensory improvements to consumers.
