Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hair Damage Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face challenges in determining the extent of hair damage, leading to inappropriate product usage and dissatisfaction, as existing methods for assessing hair damage are complex and inaccessible to end-users.
Innovation Solution
A method using near-infrared and/or infrared spectroscopy to record spectra of keratin fibers, generating a calibration model to correlate spectra with amino acid oxidation product content, and providing individualized hair treatment advice based on the determined damage level, enabling direct, non-destructive, and quick assessment of hair damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If chromatographic or colorimetric methods are used to determine amino acid oxidation product content, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical chromatographic systems with near-infrared spectroscopy, an optical field-based method. The near-infrared spectrum correlates with amino acid oxidation product content, allowing determination of hair damage without requiring complex chromatographic equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces near-infrared spectroscopy as an intermediary method between direct chemical analysis and simple visual inspection. The near-infrared spectrum serves as a mediator that correlates with amino acid oxidation product content, providing an indirect but accurate measure of hair damage that avoids the complexity of direct chemical methods.
2Measurement precision
If chromatographic methods with hydrolytic digestion are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming hydrolytic digestion procedures with near-infrared spectroscopy. The spectroscopic method directly measures the near-infrared spectrum of hair samples, which correlates with amino acid oxidation product content, eliminating the need for lengthy sample preparation and hydrolysis steps while maintaining accurate oxidative damage quantification.
3Measurement precision
If professional analytical methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for end users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces professional chromatographic analytical methods with near-infrared spectroscopy, which is simpler and more accessible. The near-infrared spectrum provides accurate hair damage assessment without requiring specialized chemical analysis equipment or expertise, making the method accessible to end users while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses near-infrared spectroscopy as a simplified copy or alternative representation of the complex chemical analysis process. Instead of directly measuring amino acid oxidation products through complex chemistry, the method captures the near-infrared spectral signature that correlates with damage levels, providing an accessible proxy measurement for end users.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables end-users to determine hair damage levels simply and receive tailored hair treatment advice, allowing for immediate action and personalized product recommendations, improving hair care outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
Near-infrared and/or infrared spectra of the samples of keratin fibres that have been damaged to various extents is recorded
Implementation Method 2
Near-infrared and/or infrared spectra of the samples of keratin fibres that have been damaged to various extents is recorded
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a user-specific hair treatment by determining and inclusion of the degree of damage of hair is provided. To this end, initially, with the aid of near-infrared and/or infrared spectra of the keratin fibres of an individual, the amino acid oxidation product content is determined and a degree of damage is derived from it via a calibration model. Individual treatment advice that is based on the determined degree of damage is issued.