Pre-stability and functional tests of a leave-on hair emulsion developed with Aloe vera extract

Abstract

Leave-on creams are cationic emulsions with lower active content than conditioners. They are a complement to the comb and contain agents that moisturize hair and return to it the effect of conditioners, facilitating hairstyle. The part of the plant which is used is the mucilage obtained from the leaves, as it has emollient and moisturizing properties. The purpose of this paper was to develop a leave-on emulsion containing Aloe vera extract, obtained by two different extraction methods, and one extract acquired commercially in order to evaluate its pre-stability and functionality in hair strands. The formulation of the leave-on emulsion was developed with Aloe vera extracts. These extracts were prepared with plant material (PM) plus 70% alcohol (Sample A) and PM, cereal alcohol and glycerin (Sample B). The pre-stability test was performed according to ANVISA Guide. We analysed tests on human hair strands to assess combability (after shampooing them with neutral shampoo, the standardized amount of the sample was spread on strands, which were combed to observe the slip point after 10 combing strokes) and appearance after drying (the strands were left hanging at 23°C and 33% humidity for 24 hours) and softness to the touch and volume (photographed data). In the pre-stability test, the samples were stable in color, odor, appearance and centrifugation test under all conditions, except in samples that were exposed to direct sunlight, when they were modified in color and odor. The pH remained stable in all samples and under all conditions. The spreadability went through which were not relevant to the formulation tested. For the tests on strands of hair, one of the samples was the base formulation without adding the plant extract, for comparison purposes. The average results of the strands test of all samples were 9.87 cm ± 0.6875 of sliding length, which were much greater when compared to the untreated sample that slid only 5 cm. After drying, the strands looked softer. There was softness to the touch, volume reduction and alignment of the hair strands, when compared to the untreated strands. We concluded that the base emulsion formulation, by its own, showed improvement in the hair strands for combing and appearance after drying. The formulations containing the extract showed no improvement in the tests on strands, when compared with the base formulation. The formulations developed have favorable results in the physicochemical pre-stability tests.