We all know that Hair gel is a hairstyling product that is used to stiffen hair into a particular hairstyle. The results it produces are usually similar to, but stronger than, those of hair spray and hair wax, and weaker than those of hair glue.
Chemistry
Cationic polymers are one of the main functional component of hair gel. The positive charges in polymer causes it to stretch, making the gel more viscous. Hair gels resist natural protein conformations and allow hair to be styled and textured. This is because the stretched-out polymer takes up more space than a coiled polymer and thus resists the flow of solvent molecules around it. The positive charges also bind the gel to the negatively charged amino acids on the surface of the keratin molecules in the hair. More complicated polymer formulas exist, e.g. a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone, methacrylamide, and N-vinylimidazole.
However gel may have an impact on hair loss.
Hair grows in phases. Each individual hair on your head grows for a period (several years), then it goes into a resting period for around two weeks, before it falls out. The hair that has been shed will be replaced with a new hair. This is why it is important to keep the scalp clean and the pores clear and unblocked.
So, while hair gel does not cause hair loss, it may be a contributing factor, especially if you have used it for years without being careful to wash your hair and scalp daily, particularly before bed, in order to prevent the clogging of your skins pores.
Examine your scalp under a good light. Is it very shiny? If so it may be coated with a hardened and embedded layer of sebum based plaque.
Chemistry
Cationic polymers are one of the main functional component of hair gel. The positive charges in polymer causes it to stretch, making the gel more viscous. Hair gels resist natural protein conformations and allow hair to be styled and textured. This is because the stretched-out polymer takes up more space than a coiled polymer and thus resists the flow of solvent molecules around it. The positive charges also bind the gel to the negatively charged amino acids on the surface of the keratin molecules in the hair. More complicated polymer formulas exist, e.g. a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone, methacrylamide, and N-vinylimidazole.
Are they Safe?
The use of hair gel on it’s own does not cause hair loss and in fact you could use gel regularly for a long period of time without experiencing any negative side effects, providing you wash your hair and scalp well every day and avoid going to sleep with gel in your hair. However gel may have an impact on hair loss.
Hair grows in phases. Each individual hair on your head grows for a period (several years), then it goes into a resting period for around two weeks, before it falls out. The hair that has been shed will be replaced with a new hair. This is why it is important to keep the scalp clean and the pores clear and unblocked.
So, while hair gel does not cause hair loss, it may be a contributing factor, especially if you have used it for years without being careful to wash your hair and scalp daily, particularly before bed, in order to prevent the clogging of your skins pores.
Examine your scalp under a good light. Is it very shiny? If so it may be coated with a hardened and embedded layer of sebum based plaque.
