A new method for testing removability of polymers in hair sprays and setting lotions

Synopsis Removability by shampoo and water is one of the criteria to be met by polymers used in hair sprays or setting lotions. To obtain quantitative measures for removabilities, ample laboratory testing is required. Gravimetry is one method which serves this purpose, with the disadvantage of being very time-consuming and depending on the individual handling of the materials. The new method to be presented in this paper is based on conductivity measurements of polymer-coated electrodes in electrolyte solutions. The effect of polymer blending and the degree of neutralization on removability can be assessed readily. Several polymers commonly used in hair sprays or setting lotions and polymer mixtures were tested. Comparison of the results shows good correlation between the two methods. The new method is especially useful in screening experiments. Changes in polymer properties as a function of composition can be detected rapidly. Resume Elimination au lavage est l'un des criteres que doivent posseder les polymeres utilises dans les laques capillaires et les lotions coiffantes. Pour obtenir des mesures quantitatives quant a ce critere, des tests approfondis sont necessaires. La gravimetrie est une methode qui permet d'atteindre cet objectif avec l'inconvenient d'etre longue, fastidieuse et dependant de la maniere dont les individus manipulent les materiaux. La nouvelle methode presentee dans cet article est basee sur les mesures de conductivite d'electrodes enduites de polymeres dans des solutions d'electrolyte. Il est alors aise d'analyser le degre de neutralisation et d'elimination des polymeres. On a ainsi teste plusieurs polymeres purs ou en melange frequemment utilises dans les laques capillaires ou lotions coiffantes. La comparaison des resultats montre une bonne correlation entre les deux methodes. La nouvelle methode est particulierement utile dans les experiences de criblage. Les changements de proprietes des polymeres peuvent etre rapidement detectes.