HAIR CARE INSIGHTS

Among the very latest scientific trends in hair care we can recognize a high emphasis on 1) inclusivity and individualism, and 2) technological innovations based on nanotechnology. On one side there is a push towards the personalization of hair care also for niches of individuals; on the other there is an attempt to optimize the hair care products by resorting to the nanotechnological innovations. This literature review is therefore organised into two macro-areas:

1. A focus on inclusive hair care, in particular its declination to two niches: a) Transgender individuals, who undergo to hair changes during hormonal therapy. The first abstract discusses in general the hair treatment options available for transgender women, while the second one specifically investigates galeatomy (a surgical incision into the galea) for scalp advancement. b) Black individuals, with hair proneness to dryness and fragility. The study presented provides a list of hair products and ingredients used by African Americans and should assist dermatologists in delivering culturally competent care.
2. A focus on nanotechnological applications for the development of new and innovative hair/scalp care products. The first two studies review nanotechnology-enabled formulations and highlight their advantages over traditional ones. For instance, organic and inorganic nanocarriers for optimal nanodelivery are presented, with a focus in the second abstract on the hair product performance improvement of active compounds such as minoxidil, finasteride and permethrin. Finally, the last abstract describes the combination of plant oils (coconut, olive and Abyssinian oils) and nanotechnology to develop effective nanoemulsions in hair treatment.