title: DSC of human hair: a tool for claim support or incorrect data analysis?
abstract: Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data are increasingly used to substantiate product claims of hair repair. Decreasing peak temperatures may indicate structural changes and chemical damage. Increasing the DSC, wet peak temperature is, therefore, often considered as proof of hair repair. A detailed understanding of the technique and hair structure indicates that this may not be a sound approach. Surveying the rich literature on the use of dynamic thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for the analyses of human hair and the effect of cosmetic treatments, we underline some of the problems of hair structure and data interpretation. To overcome some of the difficulties of data interpretation, we advise that DSC acquired data should be supported by other techniques when used for claim substantiation. In this way, one can provide meaningful interpretation of the hair science and robust data for product claims support.
authors.affiliation: KAO European Research Laboratory, KAO Germany GmbH, D-64297, Darmstadt, Germany. crisan.popescu@kao.com.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Popescu
authors.affiliation: Cider Solutions Ltd., Chilworth, Surrey, GU4 8RR, U.K.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gummer
mesh_terms: D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D006197:Hair; D006801:Humans
keywords: claim substantiation; hair treatment; thermal analysis