WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF 18-METHYLECHOISANOIC ACID IN HAIR CARE?

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48075/rfc.v25i41.30594

Abstract

18-methyleicosanoic acid (18-MEA) is a fatty acid, constituent of hair, which binds to the cuticular surface, creating a hydrophobic barrier, acting as a lubricant. The aim of this study was to understand the importance of 18-MEA in hair care. The guiding question was formulated: ‘Is 18-methyleicosanoic acid (18-MEA) applicable and important for the hair fiber in order to influence the behavior of the hair and improve the appearance of the strands? ’. The searches were carried out in Google Scholar and National Library of Medicine (PUBMED) sources with the DeCS/MeSH descriptors “18-Methyleicosanoic acid”, “Ácido 18-methyleicosanoic”, “hair”, “hair analysis”. Texts in Portuguese and English published between 2002 and 2022 were included and those that were not fully available online or that after the filtering stage did not respond to the objective were excluded, with 14 articles being selected. Reading these articles showed that the absence of 18-MEA on the cuticular surface causes a decrease in the contact angle and an increase in the frictional force. Furthermore, when replacing 18-MEA through cosmetic formulations, persistent hydrophobicity was observed in the hair. It is also possible to perceive the importance of 18-MEA influencing capillary properties, with the ability to increase adhesion and reduce friction.

Author Biographies

Paulo Rodrigo Lima Braz, Centro Universitário Maurício de Nassau

Graduando em farmácia pelo Centro Universitário Maurício de Nassau.

Raquell de Castro Chaves, Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Farmacêutica. Especialista em Indústria Farmacêutica e doutora em Biotecnologia (área de atuação em Biotecnologia em Saúde). Pós-doutorado em Farmacologia no Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia da Universidade Federal do Ceará. Docente do curso de Farmácia na Universidade Estadual de Londrina. Coorientadora do projeto.

Nadja Mara de Sousa Lopes, Centro Universitario Maurício de Nassau

Farmacêutica. Doutora em Ciências Farmacêuticas pela Universidade Federal do Ceará. Docente do curso de Farmácia no Centro Universitário Maurício de Nassau (Sede Parangaba - Fortaleza, Ceará). Orientadora principal.

Published

26-05-2023

How to Cite

LIMA BRAZ, P. R.; CHAVES, R. de C.; LOPES, N. M. de S. WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF 18-METHYLECHOISANOIC ACID IN HAIR CARE?. Revista Faz Ciência, [S. l.], v. 25, n. 41, 2023. DOI: 10.48075/rfc.v25i41.30594. Disponível em: https://e-revista.unioeste.br/index.php/fazciencia/article/view/30594. Acesso em: 11 jun. 2025.

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