Advertisement

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCES TO C&EN

Consumer Products

Chemistry In Pictures

Chemistry in Pictures: Comb-o-matic

by Craig Bettenhausen
April 19, 2023

A water-wheel-like device that combs a lock of hair over and over again.
Credit: Craig Bettenhausen/C&EN

Hair care products make a lot of bold claims about smoothing and protecting hair, and it’s reasonable to wonder what data back up such assertions. Plenty of products certainly stand on specious science, but rigorous testing is available. This device from Bossa Nova Vision, on display at in-Cosmetics Global in March, combs a lock of hair over and over again. Sensors in the motor monitor how much force is required to pull the combs through the hair to measure smoothness, lubricity, and detangling efficacy as well as how those qualities change when the hair is treated with various chemical ingredients and formulations. Such a test is often followed by a microscope inspection to gauge how much damage the hair fibers sustained with such thorough handling.

Credit: Craig Bettenhausen/C&EN

Do science. Take pictures. Win money. Enter our photo contest here.

Click here to see more Chemistry in Pictures.

Article:

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

0 /1 FREE ARTICLES LEFT THIS MONTH Remaining
Chemistry matters. Join us to get the news you need.