Biophysics of Human Hair Structural, Nanomechanical, and Nanotribological Studies

Human hair is a nanocomposite biological fiber. Maintaining the health, feel, shine, color, softness, and overall aesthetics of the hair is highly desired. Hair care products such as shampoos and conditioners, along with damaging processes such as chemical dyeing and permanent wave treatments, affect the maintenance and grooming process and are important to study because they alter many hair properties. Nanoscale characterization of the cellular structure, mechanical properties, and morphological, frictional, and adhesive properties (tribological properties) of hair are essential to evaluate and develop better cosmetic products and to advance the understanding of biological and cosmetic science. The atomic/friction force microscope (AFM/FFM) and nanoindenter have become important tools for studying the micro/nanoscale properties of human hair