As opposed to metals like copper and iron being deposited from washing with hard water, how does residue from actively working with metals like silver and brass affect hair, and how can the issues it might cause be resolved?
Hi. I am reaching out to see if anyone has information to offer on possible jobs or career paths in haircare science. I have my B.S in biochemistry and I have experience in labs ranging from qPCR to histology. I am the second author on a publication from my time as a research assistant.
In 2022, I pivoted and started my career as a hairstylist. I was going through so much at the time and it felt like an avenue that would be fulfilling. I love merging my passion for science with my creativity, and I have enjoyed being a business owner. However, I miss science so much. I miss being in the lab.
In a perfect world, I think it’d be awesome to work in a cosmetic lab, working with formulating. However, it seems this is very region specific and there aren’t a lot of opportunities in Columbus, Ohio.
Does anyone know of any practical jobs that seem fitting?
Hello,
I specialize in hair straightening treatments, though I am not a cosmetic chemist (I’m hoping Perry might weigh in on this).
I would like to know more about the expiration dates indicated by manufacturers on these products—whether they are glyoxyloyl carbocysteine-based or formaldehyde-releasing formulas.
Beyond safety concerns, I am interested in the impact on efficacy: once the product has been opened or has passed the date marked on the bottle, to what extent does its straightening power diminish?
Does it drop off rapidly and significantly, and what is the underlying chemical process?
Hi! I have straight virgin hair and I'm thinking of getting a perm. I keep reading from different websites that the process is chemically irreversible and permanent, but is that really the case? Or am I misunderstanding and it only applies to pre existing hair... 🤔
Does Fermented Yeast protein increase DHT leading to hair loss?
I keep seeing mentions of a new active ingredient entering the haircare space called Y100, which is apparently derived from the Terminalia chebula plant. I am not going to name any products here but a quick google search will tell you which ones are using it.
The main claim I'm seeing is that instead of just increasing blood flow to the scalp (like traditional treatments), it targets "mitochondrial dysfunction" to give hair follicles more cellular energy and keep them in the growth phase longer.
I’m just a regular consumer trying to cut through the marketing jargon. When I try to look up Y100, there isn't much out there yet, and most of the general literature on Terminalia chebula just says it's an antioxidant.
For the cosmetic chemists and biology folks here: Does targeting mitochondrial energy actually do anything for hair follicles? And is there an established mechanism for how a topical extract like this would actually achieve that, or are these just buzzwords?
I've seen terms like "scalp detox" and herbal scalp detox used frequently in hair-care discussions, but I'm curious about the underlying science.
What exactly is being removed during a scalp cleansing treatment? Are the primary targets sebum, dead skin cells, environmental debris, product residue, or microbial biofilms?
From a hair science perspective, is there evidence that removing excess buildup improves scalp function, or are the benefits mostly cosmetic and temporary?
Interested in any research or scientific explanations regarding the relationship between scalp cleanliness and overall scalp health.