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eakthroughs: Science News from P&G Beauty & Grooming
Beauty & Grooming scientists also sought
material improvements on the stainless
steel blades. These blades, that are sharper
than a scalpel, are enhanced with a
diamond-like carbon coating and a
telomer anti-friction layer, which dramatically
enhance the blade’s performance
with less tugging and more comfort.
But scientists still had one more hurdle.
While the closely-packed blades provided
an improved shave, they also caused the
razors to clog easily. Simms and his colleagues
solved this last problem with
narrower blade supports. By thinning
the material under the blades, they
allow more room for shave gel and hair to
be washed away.
Through decades of scientific study and
experience, P&G Beauty & Grooming
scientists have made a 1929 inventor’s
dream of the five-blade razor a reality.
“We were able to apply years of incremental
advances, and multiple disciplines
of study to make this come to life,” says
Simms. “I felt as much like a detective
solving a complex problem as I did
a scientist as we were creating this latest
advance. I’m eager to be presented with
the next problem to solve.”
Scanning electron micrograph of beard stubble
emerging from the irregular skin surface of a
man’s face.
MOISTURE BREAKTHROUGH: IT’S MORE THAN JUST WATER
Many women are looking for ways to
make their hair feel more moisturized.
However, hair with high moisture content
can actually lead to a “bad hair” day. Scientists
have observed that moisture increases
friction between hair fibers and decreases
tensile strength, which leads to an increase
in hair frizz and styling difficulties.
P&G Beauty & Grooming scientists conducted
an experiment to understand the
meaning of “moisturized” hair, as defined
by women. Specifically, blindfolded panelists
were asked to assess their perception
of “moisture” in two hair samples.
One sample was equilibrated at 15 percent
relative humidity (RH) and the
other was equilibrated at 80 percent RH.
Seventy-five percent of the panelists characterized
the 15 percent RH hair samples
as feeling more moisturized, smoother,
less tangled and less damaged, while less
than ten percent found no difference
between the samples.
A novel microwave resonance measurement
determined the actual water content
of each sample. This assessment
verified that the water level of the 80 percent
RH sample was significantly higher
than that of the 15 percent RH sample,
which sharply contrasts with the panelists’
sensory assessment of “moisture.”
These findings, presented at the 2008
Asian Dermatological Congress, allowed
P&G Beauty & Grooming scientists
to confirm that “moisturization”
correlates with tactile characteristics such
as smoothness, degree of tangling and hair
damage, rather than actual water content.
“These findings allow us to better
target women’s hair care needs,” explains
Michael Davis, P&G Beauty & Grooming
Senior Scientist.
A second sensory experiment performed
by P&G Beauty & Grooming has helped
women understand how to achieve the
desired feeling of “moisturized” hair. The
panelists felt two damaged hair samples,
one treated with shampoo and another
treated with shampoo and a conditioner
containing bis-aminopropyl dimethicone,
a modified silicone conditioning agent.
Panelists determined the hair treated with
both shampoo and conditioner felt more
“moisturized.” “These findings are significant
steps toward dispelling the myth of
‘moisturized’ hair,” says Davis. “By educating
women about the importance of
conditioning, we will empower them to
get the hair texture they want.”
% Response
% Response
100
80
60
40
20
0
100
80
60
40
20
Relationship Between Moisture and Perceived Hair Attributes
15% Relative Humidity
80% Relative Humidity
No Difference
More “Moisturized”
Smoother More Tangled More Damaged
Relationship Between Hair Conditioning and Perceived Hair Attributes
Shampoo
Shampoo & Conditioner
No Difference
0
More “Moisturized”
Smoother More Tangled More Damaged
2