ARTIFICIAL HAIR AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to artificial hair, i.e., synthetic hair, which is characterized by skin-friendly and very good mechanical properties and can be produced in an environmentally friendly manner using a sustainable process. The artificial hair according to the invention is suitable for both hairpieces and hair extensions. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to uses of specific cellulose fibers.

[0002] In earlier times, human hair was primarily used to manufacture hair replacement products. While high-quality, human hair is expensive and is increasingly viewed with suspicion today for ethical reasons. Since it became possible to spun plastic into fibers on an industrial scale, the production of synthetic hair, for example, acrylic-based, has become increasingly prevalent, as demonstrated in EP 3069625 A1. However, acrylic-based synthetic hair, as described in the aforementioned publication, has disadvantages. In particular, it consists of plastic fiber filaments that are not biodegradable, which is unacceptable from a sustainability and environmental perspective. Furthermore, the product properties of plastic-based synthetic hair are often not comparable to those of human hair, which can manifest itself, for example, in differing elasticity and fineness, as well as unnatural shine or an artificial feel.To improve the similarity of synthetic hair's properties to those of real hair, it is typically treated with various chemical substances, which can, in turn, lead to skin irritation. Furthermore, synthetic hair based on plastics can release monomers during manufacturing or during use under UV light or high temperatures, which can be damaging to the skin or even harmful to health. Another example of synthetic hair can be found in JP 2007217805, which discloses the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Based on the foregoing prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide synthetic hair that is characterized by very good, natural-looking properties and, moreover, by high skin compatibility. The synthetic hair should also be sustainably and environmentally friendly manufactured. Thus, it is also an object of the present invention to provide a method by which skin-friendly synthetic hair can be manufactured sustainably and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide uses for specifically formulated cellulose.

[0004] The problems are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims contain advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention.

[0005] The problem is solved according to the invention by an artificial hair based on cellulose fibers.

[0006] Artificial hair, as defined in the present invention, consists of one or more monofilaments based on cellulose, which can be worn, for example, as a wig or partial hair replacement, or braided into one's own hair as a plait or strand (also known as "braids"). The cellulose from which the cellulose fibers forming the artificial hair according to the invention are made has a degree of polymerization of 100 to 450. It should be noted that cellulose is composed of glucose units. It is essentially a polymer of monomeric glucose units. The degree of polymerization of the cellulose refers to the number of glucose units, which, according to the invention, is in the range of 100 to 450. The cellulose used according to the invention is spun into fibers, as will be explained later. During this process, the degree of polymerization may change.However, the degree of polymerization of the cellulose fibers in the finished synthetic hair remains in the range of 100 to 450. Since the degree of polymerization can be determined more easily in the cellulose used for the synthetic hair, the degree of polymerization according to the invention is referenced to the cellulose from which the cellulose fibers contained in the synthetic hair according to the invention are formed.

[0007] According to the invention, it was found that if the degree of polymerization is below 100, sufficient strength, tensile strength, and knot strength cannot be achieved. If the degree of polymerization is above 450, the extensibility and elasticity are insufficient. The aforementioned properties affect the combability, malleability, and drapability of the synthetic hair, which are necessary to make the synthetic hair appear and be used like real hair.

[0008] The synthetic hair according to the invention is characterized by high sustainability, biodegradability, and thus high environmental friendliness due to the use of cellulose. It is essentially a natural product that is very well tolerated by the skin and also possesses all the mechanical properties required for synthetic hair, as well as a soft feel, making it very comparable to real hair and allowing it to blend indistinguishably with it. Furthermore, as described above, the synthetic hair can be processed like real hair and, in particular, can be draped, meaning it is not only combable but also malleable, which is essential for styling hair.

[0009] To further improve the processability of the artificial hair, in particular its combability, malleability and drapability, the cellulose from which the cellulose fibers are formed advantageously has a degree of polymerization of 200 to 400.

[0010] The cellulose from which the cellulose fibers are formed comprises microcrystalline cellulose. In particular, the cellulose from which the cellulose fibers are formed is microcrystalline cellulose; thus, it preferably consists of microcrystalline cellulose. According to the invention, microcrystalline cellulose is understood to be purified, partially depolymerized cellulose obtained from plant fibers. The plant material from which the plant fibers are obtained is frequently cotton linters or wood pulp, which is broken down into small components for the production of cellulose using mineral acids, enzymatic hydrolysis, or mechanical processes. Alternatively, other cellulosic raw materials can be used for the production of microcrystalline cellulose. Through the depolymerization or...During depolymerization, the cellulose is refined and processed into microcrystalline cellulose, which has a lower degree of polymerization than the original cellulose. This depolymerization process allows for precise control of the cellulose's polymerization level. The use of microcrystalline cellulose thus makes it possible to specifically adjust the fiber properties essential for synthetic hair, such as fineness, elongation, strength, tensile strength, elasticity, and knot strength. Furthermore, this process allows for precise control of the synthetic hair's workability, particularly its combability, malleability, and drapeability.

[0011] It has proven to be particularly suitable for achieving a balanced ratio in terms of the properties fineness, tensile strength, elongation, tear resistance, modulus of elasticity and tensile strength. proved advantageousif the synthetic hair additionally comprises at least one plasticizer. According to the invention, the cellulose fibers contain at least one plasticizer. The aforementioned properties can thus be particularly well adjusted. The tensile strength per unit fineness can be adjusted to a range of 8 to 16 cN / tex and the elongation to a range of 11 to 24%. In addition, by adding at least one plasticizer, the modulus of elasticity can also be adjusted to a range of 280 to 550 cN / tex and the knot tensile ratio to 40 to 85%. The fiber fineness is determined according to DIN EN ISO 1973, the tensile strength per unit fineness and the elongation according to DIN EN ISO 5079, and the knot tensile ratio according to DIN 53842-1. The modulus of elasticity is determined according to DIN EN ISO 5079 and read at 0.5 to 0.7%. The aforementioned values ​​are obtained under the processing and spinning conditions as specified in the experimental part of the description.

[0012] Particularly suitable for improving elasticity are the plasticizers selected from the following list, which can be used individually or in any mixtures: tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, acetyl tributyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, polyvinyl alcohol, PEG-600, and sodium alginate. These plasticizers not only improve the mechanical properties of the synthetic hair but are also environmentally friendly, thus enhancing the sustainability and environmental friendliness of the synthetic hair according to the invention. Among the plasticizers listed above, tributyl citrate has proven particularly suitable due to its good processability, availability, and excellent adjustability of the mechanical properties.

[0013] The aforementioned mechanical properties can be advantageously adjusted particularly easily by combining the properties by using a plasticizer proportion of 20 to 50% by mass, and especially 25 to 40% by mass, based on the total mass of the cellulose used for the cellulose fibers. The term "cellulose according to the invention" refers to the "dry cellulose substance." If pulp or similar material is used to provide the cellulose, all quantities refer to the dry substance of the cellulose, i.e., its dry content.

[0014] To match the shine of the synthetic hair to that of natural human hair, the cellulose fibers, according to a further advantageous embodiment, also comprise at least one matting agent. Furthermore, to improve the skin-friendliness of the synthetic hair, the matting agent is preferably selected from SiO₂, TiO₂, MgO, CaCO₃, MgCO₃, BaSO₄, and mixtures thereof. In particular, MgO and / or CaCO₃ have proven to be especially effective and skin-friendly.

[0015] Particularly advantageous in terms of good processability and a uniform, fine sheen or matte finish on the synthetic hair, the matting agent has a particle size of 0.01 to 1000 µm, especially 0.1 to 30 µm and particularly 1 to 20 µm. The particle size is determined by laser diffraction using a HELOS device from Sympatec GmbH in accordance with ISO 13320 (publication date 2020).

[0016] Particularly good matting properties, which adapt the shine of the synthetic hair to the shine of real hair, can be achieved through the advantageous further development in which a proportion of matting agent, based on the total mass of the cellulose used for the cellulose fibers, is 0.1 to 20% by mass, in particular 5 to 17% by mass and in particular 7 to 15% by mass.

[0017] To visually match the synthetic hair to real hair or to create special color accents, the cellulose fibers advantageously comprise at least one coloring substance. Coloring substances can include dyes and color pigments, which can be used in any combination. Carbon black can also be used according to the invention. Due to their high coloring power, pigments are particularly preferred, and the cellulose fibers therefore especially comprise at least one pigment.

[0018] Particularly good processability with high dyeing power can be achieved by a design in which the proportion of coloring substance, based on the total mass of the cellulose used for the cellulose fibers, is 2 to 12 mass% and especially 3 to 10 mass%.

[0019] Furthermore, to advantageously improve the optical and mechanical properties of the synthetic hair, the synthetic hair comprises a finish. According to the invention, a finish is understood to be a composition comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, fatty amines, fatty amides, polyquaternium, polysiloxanes (including polydialkylsiloxanes), and polyols. Among the aforementioned compounds, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, fatty amines, and fatty amides are preferred due to their environmental friendliness, skin compatibility, and biodegradability.

[0020] Preferably, the diameter of the cellulose fibers in the synthetic hair is 40 µm to 80 µm, and particularly 45 µm to 70 µm. If the diameter is within the specified range, it is very comparable to the diameter of real hair, so that a hair replacement product based on the synthetic hair according to the invention is also visually characterized by a high degree of similarity to real hair. The diameter of the cellulose fibers can be measured using a micrometer screw.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the invention, a method for producing the artificial hair described above is also disclosed, which is characterized by simple implementation and good environmental friendliness and thus also by high sustainability.

[0022] First, cellulose with a degree of polymerization of 100 to 450 is provided. The cellulose can be obtained, in particular, from wood pulp. The cellulose is then dissolved in a solvent, with N-methylmorpholine N-oxide being used as the solvent to improve environmental friendliness. A spinning solution comprising the dissolved cellulose is then prepared. Additional additives can also be added to influence the spinnability or the properties of the cellulose fibers obtained after spinning. The spinning solution is then spun. Suitable spinning machines are known to those skilled in the art. Finally, the fibers obtained by the spinning process are dried. The preparation of the spinning solution includes a step of adding at least one plasticizer.

[0023] The process is simple and environmentally friendly, enabling a closed-loop material cycle that has a particularly low environmental impact. The fibers produced by this process are also biodegradable, thus increasing the sustainability of the synthetic hair while maintaining excellent skin compatibility. The resulting synthetic hair exhibits very good optical and mechanical properties similar to natural hair, including a fine sheen, high fineness, good stretch properties, very good elasticity, strength, and elongation at break, as well as a good knot strength ratio.

[0024] It goes without saying that further standard process steps can complement the process, such as the subsequent application of a finish. Furthermore, it is self-evident that the advantageous developments, effects, and configurations of the artificial hair according to the invention and the process according to the invention can be applied reciprocally.

[0025] To adjust or improve the properties of the spun fibers during the spinning process without having to perform further process steps subsequently, the preparation of the spinning solution includes a step of adding at least one plasticizer, wherein the plasticizer is selected in particular from tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, acetyl tributyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, polyvinyl alcohol, PEG-600, sodium alginate and mixtures thereof, and in particular tributyl citrate. As already explained above for the synthetic hair according to the invention, the addition of at least one plasticizer allows, in particular, the tensile strength per unit fineness to be adjusted to a range of 8 to 16 cN / tex and the elongation to a range of 11 to 24%. Furthermore, by adding at least one plasticizer to the spinning solution, the modulus of elasticity can also be adjusted to a range of 280 to 550 cN / tex and the knot tensile strength to 40 to 85%.

[0026] In particular, if, according to a further advantageous development, the proportion of plasticizer, based on the mass of dissolved cellulose, is 20 to 50% by mass and especially 25 to 40% by mass, the aforementioned mechanical properties can be obtained in combination, whereby the artificial hair obtained is characterized by particularly good mechanical properties similar to real hair.

[0027] To adjust the shine or matte finish and to color the synthetic hair, it can be further advantageously provided that the production of the spinning solution includes a step of adding at least one matting agent and / or at least one coloring substance.

[0028] Furthermore, the invention also describes the use of cellulose fibers, wherein the cellulose fibers comprise cellulose, wherein the cellulose from which the cellulose fibers are formed has a degree of polymerization of 100 to 450, wherein the cellulose from which the cellulose fibers are formed comprises microcrystalline cellulose; and wherein the cellulose fibers comprise at least one plasticizer and the cellulose fibers are used for the production of artificial hair.

[0029] The present invention will now be explained by means of examples, which, however, are not intended to limit the invention.

[0030] Grain size determination was carried out by laser diffraction using a HELOS device from Sympatec GmbH in accordance with ISO 13320 (publication date 2020).

[0031] The fiber fineness was determined according to DIN EN ISO 1973 (1995), the fineness-related tensile strength and elongation according to DIN EN ISO 5079 (2021) and the knot tensile test according to DIN 53842-1 (1976).

[0032] The modulus of elasticity was also measured according to DIN EN ISO 5079 (2021) and read at 0.5 - 0.7%.

[0033] Cellulose fibers were produced according to the following procedure: a) Pretreatment: Powdered microcrystalline cellulose was provided, obtained from cellulose pulp that had first been chemically treated to break it down and degrease it. The cellulose had a degree of polymerization of 100 to 450. Suitable products can be obtained, for example, from Lehmann & Voss, e.g., under the trade name Accel-102. b) Solvent extraction was then carried out: The cellulose was dissolved in a solvent, N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO). c) Spinning preparation: The solution was homogenized and adjusted to the desired viscosity by a spinning preparation process. d) Spinning: The solution was processed into fibers by a spinning process. e) Drying: The fibers were dried.

[0034] Due to the sustainable process using the solvent NMMO, it could be almost completely recycled (recycling rate > 99%), thus improving the environmental friendliness of the manufactured synthetic hair. The process was carried out using renewable raw materials, which further increased the sustainability of the manufactured synthetic hair. The resulting cellulose fibers were soft, tear-resistant, and abrasion-resistant. - Examples -

[0035] The present invention is explained in more detail by means of examples, although the invention is not intended to be limited to the examples.

[0036] Test methods for determining the textile physical parameters of the manufactured cellulose fibers or the manufactured synthetic hair: The determination of the fiber fineness was carried out according to DIN EN ISO 1973, fineness-related tensile strength and elongation according to DIN EN ISO 5079 and the knot tensile test according to DIN 53842-1.

[0037] In the knot tensile test, the effects of shear forces on the filament are examined. The samples are clamped in a knot-like manner and then analyzed for tensile strength. The highest possible knot tensile strength ratio corresponds to a flexible fiber; the lower the ratio, the more brittle the fiber. Only in this way is it possible to assess the surface modification requirements described above with regard to roughness (braiding ability) and softness (combing ability) according to the method of the invention.

[0038] Chemicals used: Eucalyptus PHK sulfate pulp (Sappi), degree of polymerization (DP) = 598; microcrystalline cellulose (Blanver), DP = 290–320; tributyl citrate (CAS: 77-94-1, Sigma-Aldrich); CaCO₃, MgO (Magnesia); fiber preparation: polydimethylsiloxane (CAS: 63148-62-9); Printofix dyes (black, brown, red; Archroma) Example 1

[0039] 6429 g of NMMO (58.3%), 487.1 g of spruce pulp (degree of polymerization, DP: 557, dry matter, TG cellulose: 94.1%), 67.7 g of CaCO₃, 2.9 g of propyl gallate (~0.63% of the dry matter, TG, of the cellulose), and 160.4 g of tributyl citrate (dry matter, TG 100%, 35% of the dry matter, TG, of the cellulose) were homogenized and heated to approximately 90°C. The zero-shear viscosity was 119 Pa*s. The cellulose had a degree of polymerization of 557. The resulting spinning solution was regenerated into filaments using the following spinning parameters: Temperature of spinning block and nozzle: 85°C Temperature of the spinning bath: 11-15°C Spinning pump: 9.8 rpm Nozzle filters: 1x80 / 1x800µm Spin nozzle: 1x20 holes / 500 µm Spinning speed: 35 m / min

[0040] The filament bundles were washed without solvent, wound onto a reel, and treated with 0.6 g / l fiber preparation (polydimethylsiloxane). The bundles were hung to air dry. The bundles were then combed to separate the filaments.

[0041] The assessment was carried out by measuring the textile physical parameters, the haptics, braidability and combability. Example Additive Concentration regarding cellulose fineness Tear strength related to fineness Stretching Modulus of elasticity (5-7%) Nodal tensile strength ratio 1 TC 35 81,3 13,6 13,6 502 44,4 Examples 2 - 9, 12 and 15

[0042] Filament bundles were produced according to Example 1, but with varying concentrations of tributyl citrate (TC) and / or other plasticizer types. The results of the textile physical parameters, compared to two human hair types and two synthetic hair types based on viscose and modacrylic (copolymer of vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile), are listed in Table 1. Table 1. Example Additive Concentration regarding cellulose fineness Tear strength related to fineness Stretching Modulus of elasticity (5-7%) Nodal tensile strength ratio % dtex cN / tex % cN / tex % 2 TC 2,5 48,3 28,7 10,1 1391 3 TC 10 42,4 17,2 9,1 634 4 TC 25 70,5 15,4 11,6 518 45,5 5 TC 28 53,4 16,0 14,3 392 47,7 6 TC 30 73,6 15,6 13,9 456 44,7 7 TC 40 52,7 14,0 12,9 438 47,9 8 TC 45 73,1 13,8 12,6 494 47,2 9 TC 50 51,6 14,3 14,6 405 58,4 12 PEG 600 20 73,3 13,7 13,8 450 49,7 15 Sodium alginate 10 65,0 12,4 11,5 219 45,0 viscose - 45,6 12,0 16,6 514 36,1 Modacr yl - 46,5 15,7 35,4 243 72,7 Real hair / European - 57,6 16,8 50,6 332 65,1 Real hair / African - 53,5 12,8 48,5 166 76,0

[0043] Increasing the concentration of the plasticizer tributyl citrate improved tensile strength and elastic modulus, but the values ​​achieved were not as good as those of the viscose type. Compared to the synthetic variant and the human hair types, the elongation of examples 2-9, 12, and 15 was significantly lower, although the feel and matting were acceptable. The combination of the measured mechanical properties resulted in a synthetic hair with an acceptable feel but less good combability, malleability, and drapeability. Example 16

[0044] Filament bundles were produced according to Example 1, but with 6429 g of NMMO (58.3%), 719.6 g of microcrystalline cellulose (degree of polymerization, DP 300, dry matter, TG, of the cellulose 94.1%), 67.7 g of CaCO₃, 4.27 g of propyl gallate (~0.63% based on the TG of the cellulose), and 169.3 g of tributyl citrate (TG 100%, 25% based on the TG of the cellulose). The cellulose had a degree of polymerization of 300. Examples 17 - 20

[0045] Filament bundles were produced according to Example 16, but with varying concentrations of tributyl citrate (TC). The results of the textile physical parameters compared to two types of human hair are listed in Table 2. Table 2 Example Additive Concentration regarding cellulose fineness Tear strength related to fineness Stretching modulus of elasticity Nodal tensile strength ratio % dtex cN / tex % cN / tex % 16 TC 25 28,4 9,8 18,2 335 64,7 17 TC 30 64,2 9,4 23,4 282 67,9 18 TC 35 31,9 9,2 22,9 309 83,5 19 TC 40 54,6 8,5 23,1 343 65,4 20 TC 50 58,6 7,4 26,8 220 72,5

[0046] The results of examples 16-20 showed a significant increase in elongation and knot tensile strength compared to the viscose type, and a corresponding decrease in the modulus of elasticity. While the elongation values ​​were somewhat lower compared to the human hair types, the knot tensile strength values ​​were at the same level.

[0047] The filament bundles of examples 16-20 showed good haptics and braidability, which confirmed that combability and malleability were very good. Example 21

[0048] Filament bundles produced according to Example 16, but with the addition of the following dyes: Printofix Black (TG 100%, 1.45% based on the TG of the cellulose); Printofix Brown (TG 100%, 3.3% based on the TG of the cellulose) and Printofix Red (TG 100%, 0.55% based on the TG of the cellulose). The filament bundles are characterized by a natural, warm, reddish-black hue without gloss. Examples 22 - 24

[0049] Filament bundles produced according to Example 16, however, in addition to the fiber preparation (avivage) mentioned above, other types were used (0.6 g / l): Example 16: Polydimethylsiloxane (CAS: 63148-62-9) Example 22: N,N'-(iminodiethane-1,2-diyl)distearamide (CAS: 10220-90-3) Example 23: Fatty alcohol ethoxylate (CAS: 68439-49-6) Example 24: 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, reaction products with triethanolamine, dimethyl sulfate quaternized (CAS 94095-35-9)

[0050] The assessment was based on knot formation and combability (Table 3) after repeated wetting (washing). Table 3 Example Nodule formation combability 16 small amount + 22 small amount + / - 23 small amount + / - 24 moderate -

[0051] The fiber preparation based on polydimethylsiloxane proved to be particularly advantageous. Its braidability with human hair was also rated positively.

[0052] In summary, the examples were surprisingly found to have enabled the production of cellulose-based synthetic hairs with high flexibility, elasticity, and softness, particularly through a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and high proportions of one or a combination of plasticizers. These cellulose-based synthetic hairs were characterized by high elongation at break and a high knot tensile strength ratio. According to the inventive process, elongations of the cellulosic filaments exceeding 18% and knot tensile strength ratios exceeding 60% and even 80% were achieved. Furthermore, it was found that modifying the fiber surface during the manufacturing process resulted in filaments with a pleasant feel and matte finish, allowing for good separation (combing) and braiding.

[0053] A high plasticizer content of 30 to 40% based on the cellulose used for the cellulose fibers (here, according to the invention, reference is again made to the dry cellulose content) also led to a reduction in the density of the cellulose-based synthetic hair, which came very close to that of natural hair. Human hair has a density of approximately 1.3 g / cm³ [CR Robbins: Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair. (1994) Springer Verlag, New York, pp. 233-261]. The synthetic hairs according to the invention, which were produced using the inventive method, had a density in the range of 1.2 to 1.4 g / cm³.

Claims

1. Artificial hair comprising cellulose fibers, wherein the cellulose from which the cellulose fibers are formed has a degree of polymerization of 100 to 450; characterized in that the cellulose from which the cellulose fibers are formed comprises microcrystalline cellulose; and the cellulose fibers comprise at least one plasticizer.

2. The artificial hair according to claim 1, wherein the cellulose from which the cellulose fibers are formed has a degree of polymerization of 200 to 400.

3. The artificial hair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cellulose from which the cellulose fibers are formed consists of microcrystalline cellulose.

4. The artificial hair according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plasticizer is selected from tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, acetyl tributyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, polyvinyl alcohol, PEG 600, sodium alginate, and mixtures thereof, and is in particular tributyl citrate.

5. The artificial hair according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of plasticizer, based on the total mass of the cellulose used for the cellulose fibers, is 20 to 50 wt.%, in particular 25 to 40 wt.%.

6. The artificial hair according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cellulose fibers further comprise at least one matting agent, wherein the matting agent is in particular selected from SiO2, TiO2, MgO, CaCO3, MgCO3, BaSO4, and mixtures thereof, and is in particular MgO and / or CaCO3.

7. The artificial hair according to claim 6, wherein the matting agent has a particle size of 0.01 to 1000 µm, in particular 0.1 to 30 µm, and in particular 1 to 20 µm.

8. The artificial hair according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the amount of matting agent, based on the total mass of the cellulose used for the cellulose fibers, is 0.1 to 20 wt.%, in particular 5 to 17 wt.%, and in particular 7 to 15 wt.%.

9. The artificial hair according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cellulose fibers further comprise at least one coloring substance, in particular at least one pigment.

10. The artificial hair according to claim 9, wherein the amount of coloring substance, based on the total mass of the cellulose used for the cellulose fibers, is 2 to 12 wt.%, in particular 3 to 10 wt.%.

11. The artificial hair according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a finish comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, fatty amines, fatty amides, polyquaternium compounds, polysiloxanes, and polyols.

12. The artificial hair according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a diameter of the cellulose fibers is 40 µm to 80 µm, in particular 45 µm to 70 µm.

13. A method for producing the artificial hair according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: • providing a cellulose having a degree of polymerization of 100 to 450; • dissolving the cellulose in a solvent, in particular in N-methylmorpholine N-oxide; • producing a spinning solution comprising the dissolved cellulose; • spinning the spinning solution; and • drying the fibers obtained by the spinning process, wherein producing the spinning solution comprises a step of adding at least one plasticizer.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the plasticizer is selected from tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, acetyl tributyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, polyvinyl alcohol, PEG 600, sodium alginate, and mixtures thereof, and is in particular tributyl citrate.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the amount of plasticizer, based on the mass of the dissolved cellulose, is 20 to 50 wt.%, in particular 25 to 40 wt.%.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein producing the spinning solution comprises a step of adding at least one matting agent and / or at least one coloring substance.

17. Use of cellulose fibers comprising cellulose, wherein the cellulose from which the cellulose fibers are formed has a degree of polymerization of 100 to 450, wherein the cellulose from which the cellulose fibers are formed comprises microcrystalline cellulose, and wherein the cellulose fibers comprise at least one plasticizer, for the production of artificial hair.