Cellulose formulations for hair modelling

Abstract

Chemical processes to change the hair shape can lead to damaged hair fibre. Here, we propose benign formulations based on different types of cellulose using imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) and a commercial serum as solvents. Formulations with concentrations at 3% and 0.5% of HEC (Hydroxyethyl cellulose) and CMC (Carboxymethylcellulose) showed the best results after washing, around 10% of curling effect. Images from fluorescence microscopy enable to observe the coating layer formed on the surface of the hair fiber. ATR-FTIR corroborate the presence of functional groups of cellulose on the coated hair fiber. SEM images revealed that the treated hair fiber preserved it structural integrity, especially for the 3% CMC formulation. Those formulations also presented good mechanical wear determined by mass loss percentage. The novelty of this work is the methodology established associated with the cellulose formulation for hair modelling up to three washes. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)