Hair and Scalp Care

We evaluate product performance across:

a) Key hair attributes, using hair tresses and isolated hair fibers
b) Key scalp health biomarkers using scalp skin cells collected with adhesive tapes (e.g. D-squame) or by swabbing

Hair strength and structure

• Tensile strength
• Effect on keratin (HP DSC)
• Breakage and split end reduction
• Stress/curl retention
• Hair suppleness

Hair surface and sensory properties

• Smoothness, friction, wet/dry combability
• Shine, gloss, surface uniformity
• Volume and volume build up
• Anti-frizz effect

Hair color and damage protection

• Color retention and anti-fade performance
• Grey hair coverage
• Light/UV protection of hair color
• Washing or rubbing resistance
• Determination of chemical, thermal or UV damage

Hair Styling

• Curl Retention
• Stress Curl Retention
• Long Lasting Hold
• Combing-out force

Scalp health

• Epidermal lipid analyses
• Microbiome analyses

We offer real-world testing, performed by hairdressers, for consumer-relevant insights:

Product quality

• Sensory performance (consistency, foam, firmness, ease of application)
• Rinseability

Hair performance

• Shine, density, thickness
• Softness, smoothness, moisture
• Volume, frizz control, static control
• Definition and manageability
• Style retention and curl definition
• Wet and dry combability
• Touch and feel assessments

Additional evaluations

• Coloration results
• Drying time
• Half head comparative tests
• Anti-dandruff efficacy (visible flake assessment)

Our dermatologist-supervised studies allow you to meet regulatory requirements for claim substantiation:

Key clinical areas

• Anti-dandruff: flake reduction, scalp grading, imaging
• Scalp comfort: redness, itching, irritation, soothing/cooling
• Sebum regulation: oil measurement, long lasting freshness
• Anti-hair loss/anti-shedding: density, root anchorage, breakage reduction
• Anti-grey: appearance and contrast assessments
• General hair health: shine, strength, fiber condition
• Diverse hair types, ethnic hair

Clinical endpoints and tools

• Dermatological grading
• Instrumental measurements (hydration, barrier function, sebum, color, gloss, etc.)
• Hair shaft melanin content (spectroscopy)
• Shed hair count
• Hair pull test
• Digital trichoscopy with image analysis (density, hair thickness, terminal/vellus hair ratio)
• Non-invasive microcirculation imaging of scalp (optical coherence tomography)
• Biomarker analysis
• Scalp microbiome analysis
• Consumer perception evaluations