May 2024 in “Indian journal of pharmacy and pharmacology” This in-vitro study reported that a luliconazole-based formulation improved hair cuticle integrity and was more effective than ketoconazole in repairing damaged hair after 5 and 10 washes, with sensory analysis supporting these results. Further human studies are needed to confirm its clinical effects.
This study found that coconut oil may protect the cuticle of chemically treated hair, which tends to be damaged compared to untreated hair.
January 2026 in “ChemistrySelect” This study demonstrates that a newly developed bio-based, dual-phasic hair serum offers a sustainable and effective alternative to traditional silicone-based serums, enhancing hair cuticle integrity and consumer appeal while supporting environmentally friendly formulation design.
3 citations
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July 2023 in “Skin Research and Technology” This study found that instrumental measurement methods effectively verified the efficacy of hair care products in repairing slightly damaged hair, showing consistent results with sensory assessments of gloss and frizz, and offering benefits like accuracy and quantifiability.
7 citations
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August 2018 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology” This study found that chemical hair straightening significantly reduced hair curl and improved smoothness and shine, but did not significantly affect transverse fissures or split ends, indicating potential benefits with some side effects.
6 citations
,
January 2005 in “PubMed” This study found that treating hair with a 1% cotton honeydew extract improves smoothness and reduces chipping compared to untreated hair, confirmed by clinical and SEM evaluations.
May 2026 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science” In this study, researchers observed that using an Avena strigosa seed extract on chemically damaged hair significantly improved hair properties, including strength, gloss, and surface quality, by reinforcing keratin bonding and sealing cuticle damage.
This review discusses potential cosmeceutical treatments for hair loss, including ingredients like procyanidins and isoflavones, but does not present new clinical outcomes; the authors highlight the promise of further research.
January 2003 in “Research Portal (King's College London)” This study employed a laser-based method to analyze how light reflection patterns vary on human hair fibers, revealing changes related to hair color and the tilt of the cuticle cells.
August 2005 in “Microscopy and Microanalysis” Polymethylene wax in hair relaxers makes hair smooth and shiny with less damage.
20 citations
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January 2003 in “Journal of oleo science” This study found that both everyday physical and environmental stresses, as well as chemical treatments, contributed to hair damage, with cuticle layers being more noticeably affected.
November 2023 in “Borneo Journal of Pharmacy” In this study, researchers used scanning electron microscopy to analyze hair damage from 3% hydrogen peroxide and UVB radiation, observing that Caesalpinia sappan hair tonic formulations coated and interacted with the hair cuticle, potentially modifying hair fiber damage.
November 2023 in “International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science” This source reviews the developments in hair care technologies, noting that while herbal shampoos offer benefits such as eliminating grease and promoting hair growth, some shampoo ingredients may cause side effects like hair loss and discomfort.
June 2017 in “University of the Arts London Research Online (University of the Arts London)” This study compared the effects of three compounds on structural and sensory benefits for bleached hair when applied with or after bleaching, observing that their application may mitigate bleaching-induced damage.
3 citations
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March 2024 in “Discover Applied Sciences” In this study, researchers found that a protein-enriched cream made from Spirulina platensis improved the physical structure of natural hair, as evidenced by more intact and smoother cuticles compared to a control cream without protein, suggesting its potential for hair care applications.
January 2011 in “Journal of Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan” This study found that a conditioner containing 18-MEA and SPDA can improve hair's smoothness and reduce flyaways, enhancing hair manageability.
29 citations
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August 2011 in “PubMed” This study found that selected polymeric pretreatments on hair can significantly reduce breakage and protect against thermal damage from hot flat irons by maintaining cuticle integrity and moisture.
44 citations
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November 2012 in “International journal of nanomedicine” This study found that silicone oil-in-water nanoemulsions using nonionic surfactants can enhance silicone oil absorption on hair, suggesting a promising method for hair care applications.
12 citations
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October 2018 in “Biotechnology reports” In this study, researchers reported that the application of refolded human K31 keratin protein significantly improved diameter, mechanical strength, and smoothness of chemically damaged hair after a single treatment.
2 citations
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January 2004 in “PubMed” This study concluded that Polyquaternium-10 conditioner softens the surface of the scale face on hair fibers.
January 2020 in “Indian dermatology online journal” Hair styling products can damage hair over time.
June 2025 in “Current Issues in Molecular Biology” In this study, researchers using a UVB-induced mouse model identified the gene COL7A1 as a novel marker for hair luster, finding that minoxidil, caffeine, and biotin effectively restored its expression, indicating potential therapeutic strategies.
51 citations
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January 2014 in “International journal of trichology” This review examines the pH levels of various shampoos and reports no new clinical results, highlighting the potential importance of labeling pH values on shampoo packaging for hair and scalp health.
3 citations
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July 2023 in “Acta Biomaterialia” This study demonstrates that a bioinspired peptide, PepACS, can efficiently and safely perm hair by interacting with keratin's sulfhydryl group without compromising tensile strength, and it shows potential for hair repair and dyeing applications in the hair care industry.
January 2026 in “International Journal of Biological Macromolecules” This study found that different polypeptides, including KP peptide and hydrolyzed keratin, can improve the mechanical properties of damaged hair under varying conditions, with reduction environments and cysteine content influencing their effectiveness.
August 2025 in “Applied Sciences” This study found that peroxide-rich plasma-activated water caused minimal morphological damage to hair, while nitrate-rich plasma-activated water induced significant damage, especially in porous hair types.
September 2024 in “Heliyon” In this study, researchers observed that even a single session of hair dyeing can damage hair fibers, with significant worsening of mechanical properties and protein composition after three or more consecutive treatments, emphasizing the need to consider the cumulative impacts of dyeing on hair health.
53 citations
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July 2016 in “Cosmetics” This study reviews the biology and cosmetic treatment of hair, emphasizing future advancements in safer, more effective procedures to meet consumer needs for hair care.
32 citations
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November 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Most women preferred the 1% pyrithione zinc shampoo for better hair smoothness and less frizz while controlling dandruff.
17 citations
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July 2018 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science” This study found that keratin-based particles were able to recover and enhance the mechanical properties and thermal stability of virgin and overbleached Asian hair, improving its strength and smoothness by around 40%, and demonstrated safety in human skin keratinocytes.