On the Application of Glycolic Acid to Hair
Now I want to investigate whether glycolic acid can be applied to hair. Glycolic acid belongs to the class of fruit acids and is often found in skin care products. Most of them are because of their skin rejuvenation ability, which can exfoliate, promote skin regeneration, and make skin smooth and delicate.
However, the properties of hair are different from those of skin. Hair is mainly composed of keratin, and its outer layer is the fur. If the fur is damaged, the hair is prone to dry and bifurcated. Glycolic acid is acidic to a certain extent. Although it can have beneficial effects on the skin, it is used on hair, or there may be different results.
When glycolic acid is used in hair, its acidity or the structure of the fur is changed. If the acidity is too strong, the fur may be excessively eroded, exposing the internal structure of the hair, increasing water loss, and making the hair more prone to dryness and fragility. And the health of the hair depends on the integrity and moisturization of the hair scales. Glycolic acid may affect the closure of the hair scales, which in turn affects the smoothness and gloss of the hair.
Furthermore, individual hair characteristics are different, and oily hair, dry hair, and neutral hair have different tolerances and responses to glycolic acid. Dry hair is inherently short of oil and water. If glycolic acid is used rashly, it may make its dry condition worse. Although oily hair has a lot of oil secretion, the stimulation of glycolic acid or the imbalance of scalp oil secretion will cause more problems.
In summary, the use of glycolic acid for hair needs to be treated with caution. Before use, it is advisable to conduct a small-scale test to observe the reaction between the hair and the scalp. And the concentration and frequency of use of glycolic acid need to be strictly controlled to prevent irreversible damage to the hair. To keep the hair healthy, you should first understand your own hair characteristics before making a choice. Do not use it rashly.
