I won’t lie, I’m a bit stubborn when it comes to parting with my raggedy ends. I get really scissor shy, so I was overwhelmed to find that I can go pick up something to glue my split ends shut. Don’t judge me because I don’t have scheduled trimming 🙂
Since then, I’ve been on a mission to find out all I can about any new or budding developments in hair care. After all, ladies like me with slow growth have got to be on the beat when it comes to info that can maximize our length retention.
Now, usually when you think mechanical engineering, you envision heavy machinery, motors, metals and industrial grade stuff. So I never would have made the connection between mechanical engineers and hair.
Then I saw it; “Protecting Your Hair: Mechanical Engineer Studies Nanoscale Effects of Hair Conditioners.“ Though I can’t tell you much about nano anything (I leave that to the brainiacs), I was understandably intrigued to find both words in the same sentence, so I thought it only fair to read on to see if it was any good.
The Revolutionary Research That Could Change Haircare Forever
A team of Mechanical Engineers, headed by Bharat Bhushan, out of Ohio University conducted the first in depth study on hair at the nanometer level using an electron microscope. Their goal was to discover the effects of environmental effects and hair care products on follicles, as well as how to treat hair.
The high-tech equipment allowed Bhushan to get an extremely close-up look of chemically over-processed tresses as well as natural kinks curls and coils that had a series of ‘bad hair days’. The atomic force microscope used allowed the engineers to use an extra tiny needle to scrape the surface of the hair to get precise measurements of the properties of textile and hair fibers.
In essence, properties such as the density of the inner layers of the strand, the texture of the hair, the strength of the individual layers were all measured.
They also set out to discover why damaged cuticles begin to peel away from the shaft – resulting in dull hair- as well as what determined the damage.
The research was done simulating what happens when hair is exposed to humid conditions. Well many of us could have told him that; our tresses plump up, the cuticles stick out and we get frizzes and fuzz balls!
This ground breaking research pioneered the development of many of the anti-breakage systems and split end repair serums flooding the market in recent times. So bravo Mr. Bhashan for being instrumental in providing the data that helped companies create our beloved Tresemme Split End Repair among other awesome products.
Hair loss/breakage.
That’s right, we may be closer to that than we were a few years back. Let’s hope the scientists speed up the process.
Absolutely loved this article, very informative… I think If I had a say in what I would like Engineers to address it really would want them to continue looking at a variety of products and how they affect our hair, I am such a minimilast when it comes to products but every now and then I will try something. I think my main reason for not even bothering with a product is basically not knowing if it is really truly beneficial.
I am also OK with conditioners not chemically binding to the strand.
Glad you like it Emily 🙂 I also agree with you about being a bit hesitant to try products. If there is research to show how they work and affect our hair that would be great.
Hair frizz and split ends.
What’s a good daily items to use on the hair
I might as well share mine, I want growth of rapunzel proportions (yes greedy much 😀 ), and I want the growth to be rapid. I would like to be able to reach two inches per month LOL!. Ok maybe I’m going overboard but I want noticeable length within a shorter time frame.
Male pattern baldness!
I want to say shrinkage… But whatever they come up with in a lab, I’d be leery of anyway lol.
The Real Person!
True! lol
Frizz control
thinning…hair loss
Something that would extremely soften the roots of your hair while stretching.
Fairy knots
The Real Person!
Krista Bella Thurman Hopper you made me literally laugh out loud on that one!.. Im so with you!
Lint buildup in locs
Tin at the top and I hate it what can I do