Topic
Effectiveness of Brassica oleracea (broccoli) in treating weak and damaged hair
Background Study
Many people, especially the women, depend on the shampoos and conditioners which they see as effective treatment for hair damage. According to a famous hair damage control shampoo brand, hair damage can be caused by the following:
1. Salon machineries and chemicals. Perms and relaxers can cause damaged hair and they can change the shape of the hair via the agents in them that first break the disulphide bonds in hair. The hair is then formed into its new shape and neutralized. This is the term given to the re-shaping of the chemical bonds in their new positions—the process that fixes the hair permanently into its new shape.
Hair colour, which can also cause damaged hair, changes hair by penetrating the cuticle to enter the cortex, which damages the F-layer.
2. Sunlight. The ultraviolet light in direct sunlight affects the cuticle in a similar way to bleach, eventually breaking down the keratin protein in the hair. This can result in light streaks and dryness in damaged hair.
3. Over brushing/combing of hair. Hair is by nature fairly robust and can withstand a lot of styling abuse, but it can still be damaged by over-zealous brushing and combing, especially if it’s wet and/or tangled. Metal combs as well as backcombing can cause damage to hair as it tugs against the scales of the cuticle. Once hair has been backcombed the delicate scales of the cuticle are lifted, and the next time a comb passes over these scales they will be ripped off.
4. Heat. It really robs hair of the moisture that is crucial to its lush feel. In fact, if a heat appliance is too hot, it can actually cause the water in the hair to boil and for bubbles of heat to form inside the softened hair shaft.
In response to the hair damage many women experience, shampoo and conditioner brands made shampoos and conditioners which are rich in protein. This is because protein can smooth the cuticle of the hair, creating smoother strands and stronger hair. However, shampoo and conditioner products have much more chemicals that can affect the hair. Shampoo can remove the natural oils called sebum produced by the scalp, and to compensate for this, oil glands produce more oils. Using these products daily may also make the hair dry.
We then think that a more natural way of curing a damaged hair is better than using shampoos and conditioners. Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable, is not just an anti-cancer agent but it is also rich in protein. In fact, one cup of chopped broccoli has 2.57 grams of protein and it is complete with the eight amino acids. Since broccoli is rich in protein, we will try to find out if it can replace the role of shampoos and conditioners to our hair.
Statement of the problem
Can Brassica oleracea be a replacement for a damage-control/damage care shampoo?
Objectives
* Main: to know whether Brassica oleracea can be an effective replacement for an ordinary damage-control shampoo/conditioner.
* Specific:
- to know why Brassica oleracea can or cannot be an effective replacement for a damage-control shampoo/conditioner
- to know the differences on the effects of Brassica oleracea and shampoos and conditioners to hair.
Description of Methods
1. We will ask for four girls who think that they have damaged hair to be our participants for this investigatory project.
2. To ensure that they do have damaged hair, we will apply a damaged-hair test to each one of the girls. The test is as follows:
Step 1: We will be taking a clean (shampooed only) hair strand from the middle to back of the head.
Step 2: We will roll the hair strand into a ball and place it in a glass of water
Step 3: We will record the time when the hair strand sank.
Results
If the hair strand sinks within a couple of seconds, then the hair is damaged.
If the hair strand floats for over one minute, then the hair’s condition is good and is mostly in good shape.
3. If a girl’s hair is in good shape, we would have to find another girl who has a damaged hair.
4. We will extract proteins from Brassica oleracea.
5. We will mix Brassica oleracea protein extract with Coconut oil for moisture.
6. We will label each girl as girl A, girl B, girl C, girl D. Girl A will have to use the Brassica oleracea Protein with Coconut oil daily (for 30 days) while girls B, C, D will have to use damage-care distinct shampoo and conditioner brands daily (for 30 days).
7. We will perform damage-test to each one of the girls every six days and we will take note of the results. At the end, we will compare the four product’s effectivity.