Moisture-Resistant Hairstyling Agent

—Development of a Humidity-Induced Shape Memory Polymeric Material—

2023.11.08

National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
NIHON L'ORÉAL K.K.

NIMS and Nihon L'Oréal K.K. have developed a shape memory polymeric material responsive to humidity. This innovative material serves as an exceptionally moisture-resistant hairstyling agent.

 (”Humidity-Responsive Polyvinyl Alcohol/Microcrystalline Cellulose Composites with Shape Memory Features for Hair-Styling Applications” Koichiro Uto, Yihua Liu, Mingwei Mu, Rie Yamamoto, Chinami Azechi, Mizuki Tenjimbayashi, Adrien Kaeser, Marie-Adeline Marliac, Mohammad Mydul Alam, Jun Sasai, Mitsuhiro Ebara; Journal: Advanced Materials Interfaces [November 1, 2023]; DOI : 10.1002/admi.202300274)

Abstract

  1. NIMS and Nihon L'Oréal K.K. have developed a shape memory polymeric material responsive to humidity. This innovative material, when applied to a person’s hair and allowed to dry, serves as an exceptionally moisture-resistant hairstyling agent.
  2. Hairstyles play a crucial role in personalizing one’s appearance and showing self-confidence. Demand for effective and functional hairstyling products has been growing. Weather-related humidity and sweat from exertion have long been a problem for hairstyle stability. Most currently available hairstyling products (e.g., hair sprays and gels) merely create a physical barrier on the hair’s surface, offering limited protection against humidity. There is a considerable expectation for the development of advanced, highly moisture-resistant hairstyling agents.
  3. This research team recently developed a humidity-responsive shape memory polymeric composite designed as a moisture-resistant hairstyling agent. The material’s moisture resistance stems from the hydrogen bonding between polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and naturally occurring cellulose microcrystals (CMs), forming a robust PVA/CM network. These hydrogen bonds maintain the structural integrity of the PVA and CM components even when exposed to water molecules. The team compared PVA/CM composite coated and uncoated bundles of curled hair and found that the uncoated bundles uncurled and stretched more extensively than coated ones after being subjected to 80% relative humidity for six hours. The team also found that the composites’ efficacy in maintaining the original curled hair shape improved with an increased ratio of CM-to-PVA. These findings indicated the material’s effectiveness in preventing the uncurling and stretching of curled hair in high humidity conditions. The material can be easily washed off using warm water (42°C) or shampoo.
  4. This research elucidates the humidity-induced shape memory mechanism exhibited by the PVA/CM composite and demonstrates its potential for use as a humidity-resistant hairstyling agent.
  5. This project was carried out by Koichiro Uto (Senior Researcher, Smart Polymers Group (SPG), Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials (RCMB), NIMS), Mitsuhiro Ebara (Leader, SPG, RCMB, NIMS) and a L’Oréal Research and Innovation team.
  6. This research was published in Advanced Materials Interfaces, an open access journal, on November 1, 2023.
"Figure. Mechanism of Humidity Responsiveness and Styling Performance in Shape Memory Polymeric Materials" Image

Figure. Mechanism of Humidity Responsiveness and Styling Performance in Shape Memory Polymeric Materials

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(Regarding this research)

Koichiro Uto
Senior Researcher
Smart Polymers Group
Biomaterials Field
Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials
National Institute for Materials Science
Tel: +81-29-860-4179
E-Mail: UTO.Koichiro=nims.go.jp
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Mitsuhiro Ebara
Group Leader
Smart Polymers Group
Biomaterials Field
Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials
National Institute for Materials Science
Tel: +81-29-860-4775
E-Mail: Ebara.Mitsuhiro=nims.go.jp
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L’OREAL RESEARCH & INNOVATION JAPAN
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Ayumi HAYASHI
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Setsuko JITSUKAWA
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