Hobbies And Interests
Hair Conditioner and Hair Strength
Some hair conditioners contain an ingredient called cysteine amino acid, which strengthens the keratin in hair. You can test the added strength provided by keratin with a controlled experiment. You want to test two samples of hair strands and hair conditioner in water and compare them to a sample of water treated with pure cysteine. To test the hair for strength, you must weight the ends of the strands down with pennies until one hair strand breaks. Record the number of pennies you must use to cause breakage; this will determine the strength of the hair.
Hair Conditioner and Untangling
Most hair conditioners also contain untangling agents, such as silicone, hydrolyzed protein and cationic surfactants, which change and lower the pH level in hair, providing a more acidic environment and coating the individual strands. To test the effectiveness of several varieties of hair conditioner, you will need at least four samples of conditioner and a volunteer -- or conduct the experiment on yourself. Try the conditioners individually on different days, including one day when you simply wash your hair with no conditioner. Take pictures before and after you wash each time. Objectively report on which conditioner appears to be most effective at untangling.
Acid Test
Hair conditioners also often contain acidifiers. You can test the pH of several different brands of conditioner and then examine which brand produces the best results in terms of shine and texture. Gather at least four samples of conditioner and test their pH with a pH testing kit or testing paper strips. Then, use each one separately, according to manufacturer's directions. See if there appears to be any correlation between the acidity of the conditioner and its effectiveness.
Testing Different Types of Hair Conditioner
Not all hair conditioners are the same. There are four main types of hair conditioner: ordinary, hold, pack and leave-in. Each type has different characteristics. Ordinary conditioners are of a medium thickness and are designed for everyday use. Hold conditioners contain polymers that keep hair locked into a certain shape. Pack conditioners are very thick and are used for styling. Leave-in conditioners are thin and don't need to be washed out. You could test samples of conditioner in each category, or in just two, and observe which produces the best results on your hair or the hair of several volunteers.