The structural implications of water hardness metal uptake by human hair

Abstract

Human hair can extract significant levels of calcium and magnesium, water hardness metals, from tap water immediately following chemical treatments and during hygiene practices. We have previously shown that this uptake is primarily a function of the condition of the hair. Depending on the extent of chemical damage, the hair can extract notable amounts of water hardness metals even from soft water. As water hardness metals concentrate primarily in the cuticle layers of the hair fibre, it is hypothesized that their presence will affect the structural properties that are chiefly driven by the cuticle. We examined hair mechanics and styling by technical measures of single-fibre torsional and tensile properties, combability and style retention as a function of the calcium and magnesium content of virgin and bleached hair. Our work has indicated that water hardness can affect hair properties. Fibre stiffening was induced by the presence of water hardness metals inside the fibres of both virgin and bleached hair. A reduction in combing forces was also observed, and this effect is believed to be a result of the stiffening. The style retention of virgin hair was improved by water hardness metals, whereas that of bleached hair was slightly reduced.