Abstract:
The objective of this study was to explore the effect of chia seed oil on human hair by evaluating the reduction of hair swelling propensity, hair surfaces, sensory tests and gloss measurements. All tests were compared to perilla oil, argan oil, mineral oil and control. The results showed that, for bleached hair, chia seed oil reduced the swelling damage by 6.98 % of the Water Retention Index (WRI) with a statistical significance (p < 0.05), while 5.90 % was shown for black hair. After observing hair surfaces using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the images displayed a homogeneous layer of cuticles with a few alteration area. Similar results were shown on hair treated with perilla oil, while more damage levels of the hair surfaces appeared on hair treated with argan oil and mineral oil. This may be due to the difference in the fatty acid compositions and structures of the oils that could possibly affect the ability of substantivity and dispersibility in closing cuticle gaps and reducing the water absorption. Results from the sensory test, furthermore, demonstrated that chia seed oil effectively help human hair to become more manageable, soft, and less flyaway with non-tacky feeling compared to control (p < 0.05). It also slightly reduced hair combing forces in both wet and dry conditions, and improved shine and gloss by increasing an area of light reflections with a statistical significance (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it can be said that chia seed oil offers substantial benefits to protect hair from swelling as well as provides a conditioning effect, which can be adopted as an effective emollient in hair care products.