Although much has been said about how harmful gluten can be in some organisms, it turns out that scientific studies have revealed that this protein can help us take care of our hair.
We wash our hair frequently, apply conditioners, masks, and a wide range of products to keep it healthy and strong. But, despite the efforts, we continue to see how it breaks, the ends open and we don’t notice it loose and silky.
Human hair is mainly made up of keratin, a fibrous protein. In its natural state, hair is generally soft due to secure and strong bonds. But the shampoos intended to clean the grease and dirt from our hair also damage the bonds that hold the keratin together. The result is brittle hair and often split ends.
Now, an investigation, carried out jointly by the Jiangnan University in China and the University of Nebraska in the US and published in the magazine Royal Society Open Scienceseems to have found a solution. After several tests, researchers have concluded that the integration of wheat gluten in a shampoo helps restore keratin bonds, which makes hair less brittle.
After several tests, researchers have concluded that the integration of wheat gluten in a shampoo helps restore keratin bonds, which makes hair less brittle.
Treating brittle hair requires the application of a protein to replace the broken bonds, but this search for a protein was hampered by a simple problem: for these proteins to bond, they must have the same pH value as the hair. To overcome this problem, the researchers turned to wheat gluten because it is cheap and plentiful, and its pH could be changed to help repair different types of hair.
After some trial and error, they came up with a procedure that worked: They soaked gluten in an enzyme that broke down its proteins into their base peptides. They added EDDAC, a chemical formula that raised the isoelectric point of peptides to match that of hair. They then mixed the result into a shampoo and applied it to various hair samples.
Gluten-containing shampoo resulted in 21 percent less friction on dry hair and 50 percent less on wet hair
The team tested their composition by running a comb through the treated hair samples, thus using friction measurements as an indicator of the degree of damage to the hair.
Applying their gluten-containing shampoo resulted in 21 percent less friction on dry hair and 50 percent less on wet hair. They also checked hair samples under the microscope and reported that they could see the newly formed bonds: the hair was smoother and less brittle.
Sarah Millera dermatologist who studies hair at University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, opines that the study is missing key information about what type of hair was tested, and how the researchers ensured that the combing force was consistent across experiments. However, if the results hold up, Millar says the technique could be a boon to clients who want evidence-based cosmetics. «This research can be of great benefit to consumers by ensuring they are purchasing products that are scientifically proven to work as advertised.»
The study is still in the testing phase, but the researchers are confident that they have finally found a cure for split ends.
Taken from La Vanguardia