Morphological analysis of polymers on hair fibers by SEM and AFM

Abstract

The polyquaternium 7 polymer is widely used in cosmetic formulations. Morphologic al-terations in hair fibers were observed after the application of the polyquaternium 7 polymer, using SEM and AFM. Continuous applications of this product indicated that it accumulates on the fibers, improving the aspect of the hair surface. Quantitative analysis of the images obtained by AFM was undertaken. The data obtained for the hair surface roughness indicates that the fibers treated with the polymer presented higher roughness than the untreated hair fibers.