Bayer’s new hair styling polymer makes the grade
The Bayer team set the challenge to create a formulation that could be sprayed easily and evenly, based on its Baycusan C 1008 product. The polymer was also used in waterborne styling formulations, such as hair gels and styling cremes.
Methods used to document the efficacy of the guide formulations included measuring flexural strength and high humidity curl retention.
Long-lasting hold
According to Bayer, it was found that both sprays and waterborne formulations with Baycusan C 1008 provided the hairstyle with a long-lasting and secure hold.
The results showed that the film-forming polymers outperformed conventional styling polymers in high humidity curl retention even after 24 hours.
To determine how much hold the film-forming polymers give curls subjected to repeated mechanical loading, additional tests to determine flexibility were performed.
Strands of hair treated with styling formulations based on the film-forming polymer retained their original curl much longer than with comparable film-forming polymers.
Testing
"We used both physico-analytical and very consumer-oriented methods to test the new sample formulations," says Dr Sophie Viala, head of Cosmetics Application Engineering at Bayer MaterialScience.
For these tests, curls of hair were treated in a defined manner with various ingredients for hairstyling products. A panel of testers then assessed the curls according to defined sensory criteria.
The testers also assessed how the curls looked and felt after being straightened with a comb or by hand.
“This sensory test confirmed the excellent impression the products made previously in the physico-analytical tests with natural and flexible hold, high curl retention, shine and excellent sensory properties,” said the company.
Bayer will present their findings and debut the new polymers at the upcoming in-cosmetics show in Barcelona, April 17-19.
