Structural Changes of Hair Keratin by Reduction, Heat and subsequent Oxidation Treatments

    January 2004 in “ Sen i Gakkaishi ”
    Satoshi Ogawa, Sumi Tokuda, Kazuki Fujii, Katsumi Kanayama, Kyohei Joko
    TLDR DTDG in hair treatments reduces damage and preserves hair structure.
    The study investigated the effects of a commercial hair straightening process involving reduction, heat treatment, and oxidation on hair's chemical and structural properties. It focused on the role of dithiodiglycolic acid (DTDG) in reducing hair damage. The presence of DTDG suppressed the reduction of disulfide bonds and enhanced the formation of thiol groups. Despite some destruction of α-crystallites and degradation of non-keratinous components, the α-helical structures remained intact. The reducing system with DTDG minimized chemical damage to the amorphous matrix, maintaining its structural regularity.
    Discuss this study in the Community →