Effects of Bleaching Conditions on the Properties of Hair

Abstract

Many Koreans have recently bleached their black hair to blond or a light color due to the influence of their favorite Korean idols. Bleaching effects were studied under various bleaching conditions, such as the concentration of oxidants, the ratio between bleach accelerant and oxidant, and treatment temperature and time. The degree of damage of bleached hair with the same color difference (∆E) intervals was observed in SEM images, the retention of breaking load and the change of color after dyeing. The ratio between bleach accelerant and oxidant of 1:2.5 was an effective condition. L* values of the bleached hair treated with 9% oxidant increased to 90 min. At a treatment temperature of 30 o C, a* values were maximum at 30 min and then decreased as time further increased; however, b* values of the bleached hair increased as the treatment time increased. At 45 o C, both of a* and b* values showed a maximum at a specific time. Bleaching efficiency was influenced most by temperature, followed in order by time, and oxidant concentration. As the treatment time increased, L* values greatly increased with twice treatment; however, a* and b* values decreased. Bleached hair, which had a color difference of higher than 30, showed the scales were completely removed and the retention of the breaking load greatly decreased. Highly bleached hair showed a great decrease in L* values by dyeing; however, dyeing with bright colors was more indicative to the effect of bleaching.