SEAWATER'S CONTRIBUTION TO HAIR DAMAGE: THE INTERACTIONS WITH BLEACHING AND DYEING PROCESSES

Introduction. Hair is frequently subjected to physical and chemical treatments, such as bleaching and dyeing, which can cause significant structural damage. Environmental factors, like seawater, may further affect hair quality, but their combined impact with chemical treatments remains underexplored. This study investigates the effects of artificial seawater exposure on hair that has undergone bleaching and dyeing, focusing on parameters such as combing resistance, shine, color, and protein loss. Methods. We hypothesized that seawater would exacerbate damage caused by chemical treatments. To evaluate this hypothesis, hair tresses were subjected to bleaching and blonde dyeing processes, followed by immersion in artificial seawater. Various analyses, including combability tests, colorimetric analysis, shine assessment, and protein loss quantification, were conducted. Results and Discussion. The results demonstrated that both bleaching and dyeing treatments significantly damaged the hair, as indicated by increased combing resistance, color changes, reduced shine, and protein loss. Immersion in seawater increased combing resistance in chemically treated hair but did not lead to additional protein loss. The most substantial damage was observed in the lightest dyed hair, particularly in terms of shine reduction and protein loss, highlighting the oxidative effects of these treatments. Conclusions. This study underscores the importance of protecting hair from both chemical treatments and environmental stressors like seawater. To minimize damage, it is recommended to rinse hair with fresh water after seawater exposure and use conditioning products, such as leave-in treatments or masks, to restore hair health and shine.