Effect of Phyllanthus emblica Linn. on Tensile Strength of Virgin and Bleached Hairs

Pratya Tiampasook,Chaiyavat Chaiyasut,Thanaroat Timudom,Bhagavathi Sundaram Sivamaruthi,Duangporn Nacapunchai

doi:10.3390/app10186305

Pratya Tiampasook, Chaiyavat Chaiyasut + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/app10186305

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Abstract

In Ayurveda medicine, Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (emblica) has been used as a hair nourisher for more than a decade by soaking it overnight, but no study has proved the effect of emblica on hair. This research aims to determine the effect of emblica solution on the tensile strength of three types of hair: virgin hair (VH), bleached hair (BH), and twice bleached hair (TH). The investigated active substances were deionized water (DI water) as a control, 3% emblica extract solution (3% EXS), 6% emblica extract solution (6% EXS), and 9% emblica extract solution (9% EXS). Black Virgin Asian hair was measured and analyzed before bleaching with a 12% bleaching agent once (BH) and twice (TH). Three treatments and the control were applied to each type of hair under a controlled condition. The tensile characteristics and surface morphology of all treated hairs were measured and analyzed by texture analysis (TA.XT Plus Texture Analyzer, Stable Micro Systems), Aramo (Aramo-SG Skin & Hair analysis system), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM model JSM-5410LV JEOL). The results of the nanoindentation test proved that the tensile strength and extensibility of all three types of hair increased in all concentrations (DI water, 3% EXS, 6% EXS, and 9% EXS). High magnification SEM images were taken from the cuticle surfaces and cross-sections. Emblica extracted solution (EXS) formed a coating around the hair, especially cuticle damaged by bleaching (BH and TH). The breaking pattern from the cross-section images showed that emblica extract solution reinforced all hair types. In conclusion, the emblica extract solution has a significant positive effect on the tensile strength and extensibility of VH, BH, and TH. The result has proved the ancient intelligence that the emblica nourishes the hair. In addition, our results show additional benefit by strengthening virgin hair and bleached hair.

Highlights

Human hair is a keratin fiber with various properties, such as water absorbable, water-insoluble, physically durable, chemically inert, flexible, and recoverable from physical deformation
The emblica extract solution was kept at 8 ◦ C; 3%, 6%, and 9% emblica extract solutions were prepared by diluting emblica extract solution with deionized water based on each concentration, and they were kept at room temperature
All hairs were measured before bleaching or treatment with emblica extract solution

Summary

Introduction

Human hair is a keratin fiber with various properties, such as water absorbable, water-insoluble, physically durable, chemically inert, flexible, and recoverable from physical deformation. Hair consists of three concentric areas: the cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The cuticle is the outer layer (3.5–4.5 μm) that helps to protect the hair and reduce physical impacts. The cortex is the middle layer and the main part of the hair, which is essential for hair stability, cohesion, stiffness, and suppleness; there is melanin in this layer. The medulla is the core of the hair, which is transparent. The fundamental chemical composition of hair is keratin, up to 95%, which is contained in the cortex and medulla [1]

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