Current research on ethnic hair - 29/08/11

Doi : 10.1067/mjd.2003.277

A. Franbourg, PhD^a, P. Hallegot, PhD^b, F. Baltenneck, PhD^b, C. Toutain^a, F. Leroy, PhD^b
Clichy and Aulnay Sous Bois, France
From L'Oréal Recherche, Clichy, France,^a and L'Oréal Recherche, Aulnay Sous Bois, France.^b

Abstract

This study collected qualitative and quantitative data about the morphology, structure, geometry, water swelling, and mechanical properties of hair fibers from subjects of different ethnic origins. X-ray analysis, cross-sectional measurements, tensile testing, and water swelling were performed on samples of hair collected from Caucasian, Asian, and African subjects. No differences in the intimate structures of fibers were observed among these 3 types of hairs, whereas geometry, mechanical properties, and water swelling differed according to ethnic origin. In addition, the behavior of hair fiber under mechanical stress was visualized with environmental scanning electron microscopy. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2003;48:S115-9.)

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Plan

Hair samples

Structure of hair keratin: X-ray analysis

Radial swelling in water

Geometry and morphology analysis

Mechanical properties

Environmental scanning electron microscopy

Conclusion

	Funding sources: The project was funded by L'Oréal.
	Conflict of interest: Dr. Franbourg is Head of Hair Metrology Department, L'Oréal Recherche, Clichy, France. Dr. Hallegot is Head of Electron Microscopy Laboratory, L'Oréal Recherche, Aulnay Sous Bois, France. Dr. Baltenneck is Head of Laboratory, L'Oréal Recherche, Aulnay Sous Bois, France. C. Toutain is Head of Laboratory, L'Oréal Recherche, Clichy, France. Dr. Leroy is Director, Department of Physics, L'Oréal Recherche, Aulnay Sous Bois, France.
	Reprint requests: Alain Franbourg, PhD, L'Oréal Recherche, Centre Charles Zviak, 90 rue du Général Roguet, Clichy Cedex, France 92583. E-mail: afranbourg@recherche.loreal.com.
	0190-9622/2003/$30.00 + 0