Role of Lipids in Water Permeation of Different Curl Pattern Hair Types

This study examines the role of lipids in water permeation across different curl pattern hair types, specifically CP2 (Asian) and CP3 (Caucasian) hair. It finds that CP2 hair has a higher amount of both external and internal lipids, particularly polar lipids like ceramides, which result in lower water absorption compared to CP3 hair. The research highlights that lipid composition and structure significantly influence water diffusion in hair, impacting cosmetic treatment outcomes. Lipid extraction experiments show that removing lipids increases water content and decreases diffusion, especially in CP2 fibers, suggesting that lipids are crucial in modulating water dynamics in hair. The study concludes that differences in water content and diffusion between the two hair types are primarily due to lipid content and structure.