The effect of coconut oil on the physical-mechanical property and the micromolecular structure of human hair

Abstract

Hair was an important indicator of one’s health. As colouring, dyeing and perming hair became more common, hair care was essential for keeping the health of human hair and the use of coconut oil for hair became more known. This research focused on the physical-mechanical property and the micromolecular structure of hair, tested by tensile strength tests and microscope observations 12 hair samples, half had been chemically treated and half not, were taken for maximum force, breaking force, maximum extension and cuticle smoothness. The tests were repeated after coconut oil treatment. It was found that chemically treated hair may have been damaged on its cuticle and coconut oil may have some protection for hair.