View Full Version : School Project: Haircare Science?
lajsa
August 14th, 2011, 10:47 AM
I'm starting my last year at school this year, so yay me! The problem is that I need to do some random project for a course, and I think I'd like to do something about hair. The problem with this (:D) is that the program I study focuses on science, and as such I need my project to be about science too. I like chemistry and that kind of thing, so I think I'd like to do something about different haircare products from a scientific perspective or something along those lines.
Now, I need ideas and feedback and everything you people can give me, because I've never actually done a project like this before! :o
I was thinking that I could study the different ingredients in, for example, a shampoo or conditioner, and then perhaps use that knowledge to maybe construct my own product with more natural ingredients, you know, honey and oil and that kind of stuff. Is it even possible to create a good alternative for that kind of product with the kind of things I could find here in my little town? What do you people think? I'm open to any other ideas you might have as well, of course!
I need to have the idea fully fleshed out as soon as possible (school starts the week after next week, and the plan for the project was supposed to be handed in before summer... I'm really bad at actually thinking things up for myself and not just do what my teacher tells me to :o) and then I have to get the project done and write a report on it before next summer, so I've got about a year to do it all. I'd be really grateful for all help!
lajsa
August 16th, 2011, 02:26 AM
So, er... no one has any ideas? :(
Lollipop
August 16th, 2011, 08:53 AM
Are there any guidelines about what the project has to include? It sounds very interesting, and I'd love to give a few suggestions, but the topic is a little broad. Like you, I sometimes have trouble with making things up. But parameters help me. A lot. Like specific rules and guidelines. Do you know what types of projects other people are doing, or have done in the past?
lajsa
August 16th, 2011, 09:00 AM
As far as I've understood it doesn't really matter much what kind of project I do (the important thing in the course is apparently how I plan and execute the project itself) except that it needs to be connected to the stuff I study in my program. I study natural science so that means chemistry, physics, math, biology... that kind of thing. The project is supposed to result in a report and a presentation in front of my classmates. I think they want me to aim towards a specific goal in the project as well, like producing a shampoo if I use my first idea as an example, or maybe making a book with facts about haircare science or something like that. :p My teacher said it would be easier to work like that than to set "learning more about x" as a goal since it's hard to judge if I've fulfilled the goals when the project is finished.
Since there doesn't seem to be a load of guidelines there's been all kinds of projects from what I've seen. My classmates are doing some sort of chemistry thing where they check the amount of vitamin C in juice or something like that. Other people studying the same program as me have done projects with roads (someone did tests with car tires or something), makeup (they looked into the kind of ingredients in different products) and all kinds of other stuff. :p
vendethiel
August 16th, 2011, 09:27 AM
Well, my ideas depend upon what equipment you can access. If you can access a microscope, you could study how different ingredients alter or improve the hair microscopically. (You could also do this without a microscope.) Such as applying honey or egg or avocado or oils to your hair and then studying the results under a microscope (or just by look and feel) and creating the best hair treatment based on the results in your study.
Or your could study one particular ingredient and what it does to your hair. For example, some people complain that banana gets stuck in their hair, but offers great results, you could study this. What causes the banana to get stuck? What results does the banana offer? Do different applications give different results? Do different blends of the banana prevent it from getting stuck? What if you don't use the center of the banana?
You could do a hair growth study. Measure the growth of your hair for a short period of time and then try some home remedies for hair growth and measure those results. Then you could compile a list of the most and least effective growth remedies.
You could test brushes. Brush your hair (or portions of hair you have shed) with different brushes and compare the results, microscopically or otherwise. Is the hair more damaged? Frizzy? Shiny? Soft? Detangled? Do more strokes increase these results or does it matter?
Just some ideas, I hope they help. Best wishes.
Intransigentia
August 16th, 2011, 09:49 AM
Not a project suggestion, but if you want to get started with a literature review, search here for posts by ktani - she often includes citations from scientific journals and that could be a direction to start reading.
Aeltt
August 16th, 2011, 10:52 AM
Maybe if you had a problematic it would be easier to begin ? I find it easier to "organize" my ideas to get in the end something logical, not just plenty of examples.
For example : "how to have long hair ?"
=> growth : how it works, what affects it (scalp condition, stress, food, scalp massages..)
=> handling the hair once it's grown : damages = loosing length, so what damages the hair ? (ripping hair with a brush/comb, no condition, harsh shampoo/chemicals, hair rubbing against things..). Here you can do an experiment with different strands being exposed to one these things everyday, and another strand treated like old lace to prove they're really bad. ^^
=> then how to properly take care of hair ? here you can make your gentle shampoo and/or talk about other things..
The different parts are connected but it's just what i made up, it's not detailed and all, but you see what i mean ^^
lajsa
August 24th, 2011, 04:11 AM
I'd like to do something with a microscope (because looking at my hair at a microscopic level is insanely fascinating :D), so I'm thinking I'd like to do something to do with different products or such. I'd like to focus a bit on... alternative hair care, maybe? The problem is that if I study stuff in a microscope I wish I could take photos of what I see to kind of make my final work a bit more interesting... :/ Hmmm, it's hard. My problem is that the moment I come up with an idea I start worrying about the fact that maybe I won't get any good results and bla bla. I really need to work on my confidence. Thanks for the tips, everyone! :D You've given me a few ideas.
Lady Malys
August 24th, 2011, 04:21 AM
What about the effects of different essential oils on hair? That might make your project more focused and give you the opportunity to examine the make up of the oils as well as the effects on hair. Good luck with whatever you decide upon!
Moor_tu_lyfe
August 24th, 2011, 05:21 AM
I did one when I doing my education degree at uni. I have a science background, so this assignment was terribly easy.
I studied the effect of bleach when left on virgin hair for different lengths of time.
First I got some virgin hair from my hairdresser (you could ask one to keep some aside for you if they don't have any handy). Then I got the lightest (i.e. highest concentrate of hydrogen peroxide) box hair dye I could find. It lists the concentration on the box.
Then in separate petri dishes, I dyed the hair samples, trying to keep them as long as possible. After 0 (undied- control) 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 mins (or something similar) I washed them under running water and left them to dry.
When all samples were dry, I examined different properties of the hair. I examined the samples under a microscope and drew diagrams of what the hair structure looked like. Of coarse, the longer the dye, usually the rougher the cuticle.
I then did strength tests using sets of weights. I tied a single hair from the apparatus (retort stand and clamp) to the weight holder and slowly added weight (I think it was something like 5 grams at a time). I think I didn't find any difference in hair strength.
I can't remember what other tests I did, but it was fun!
If you would like any other help/suggestions, just pm me.
Jaime :)
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