Curly hair: measured differences and contributions to breakage

Abstract

IntroductionA consumer internet survey conducted by our Institute in2005, of over 1200 women that self-identified as AfricanAmerican, Caucasian, Chinese, or Mexican, determinedthat African-American women experience hair breakageat a statistically higher rate as compared with their Chi-nese, Mexican, and Caucasian counterparts. In fact, 96%said they experienced hair breakage while 23% agreed itwas their biggest hair problem. To better understand thisreported phenomenon of increased fragility, one mustconsider that mechanical fragility of hair may be relatedto innate differences in the structure, the result of variousdiseases, or related to grooming habits and practices. Inthis paper, we review some of the previously reportedstructural differences observed in curly hair, laboratorymeasurements used to evaluate fragility, and the potentialimpact of grooming practices.Historically, human hair was classified along raciallines of Caucasian, Mongolian (Asian), and Negroid(African or of African descent). Early studies investigatedhair diameter, geometric shape, strength, and chemicalreactivity.