ALBA Synchrotron is a particle accelerator that produces synchrotron light, ranging from infrared up to X-rays, which is trillions of times brighter than conventional sources. It is powerful tool for the characterization of a wide diversity of materials and processes at atomic level. In this talk, its applications to the hair studies as well as hair cosmetics will be shown.

Research towards silicone-free and more natural products: Many products have been developed lately, however the most of them are not as performant as silicon-based ones. At Infinitec labs, NOSILFIX technology, a natural-based and silicon-free, active delivery system for hair care has been developed. NOSILFIX creates a lightweight, invisible film on hair fibers protecting them from external damages, while silica particles progressively release the loaded active(s).

Lipids are part of the intercellular complex between the cortex, the cuticle and the medulla forming a barrier that protects hair internal structures from environmental aggressions. Hair lipid content is related to maintenance of hydration and it is responsible of keeping the cuticles closed, preserving the integrity of the hair fibers and promoting brightness and balanced natural healthy hair. Thus, to provide integral hair care, it is necessary to develop products considering not only the protein nature of the hair, but also the lipid one.

Birefringence is an optical property of those materials that have a refractive index that depends on the polarization and propagation direction of light. Crystals with non-cubic crystal structures are often birefringent, as well as plastics under mechanical stress. In the case of hair, the main component is keratin, which shows birefringence due to the semicrystalline, α-helical intermediate filament proteins (IF). In this study, we determined the thermal protector properties of a commercial product using this property.

The remarkable, complex structure of hair is progressively compromised by a variety of insults relating to everyday habits and maintenance practices. High magnification Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is frequently performed to visualize this breakdown of the surface cuticle; but there is no easy way to see internal changes within the cortex. This presentation will how a combination of various mechanical testing techniques, which themselves can performed under a variety of environmental conditions, provides a comprehensive means for probing unseen regions of the hair structure.

This talk will focus on the chemistry behind bleaching. We will explore what are bleaching powders and pastes, how they work, how to use them and the current trends and the foreseeable future of the Cinderella of the hair colour industry.

For thousands of years the human being has manipulated the hair for aesthetic reasons. When we meet someone, the first thing we look at is in their hair and clothing. Hair influences our personality, our environment and even our habits. Hair gives us security, rejuvenates and beautifies us. Hair has always been a symbol of social classes. We are in a hipster, restless, creative world that turns opportunities into trends and trends into needs. Society, geography, age, environment, origin, diversity, practicality, and customization are vectors that influence hair care trends. With our eyes fixed on the future of the planet, hair cosmetics become aware of itself in order to improve steadily, without stopping.

This talk will focus on hair dyeing oxidation, physical and chemical mechanisms, type of formulations, possible adverse allergic reactions and legal packaging specifications.