A study recently published in the journal Cosmetics by a research team out of Thailand and Japan, Duangjit et al., investigated the efficacy of a new type of no-rinse shampoo formulation with a focus to improve hygiene conditions for those who can’t bath easily.
As COVID-19 continues to infect people around the world, Duangjit et al. said the World Health Organization has highlighted the importance of hygiene, particularly for vulnerable groups and those who have to be in high-risk areas frequently.
Specifically, Duangjit et al. focus on how an effective no-rinse shampoo with electrochemically reduced water and a coconut-based surfactant could improve the ease of hair washing for the elderly, those who are bedridden and ICU patients, as well as their caregivers.
“Caregivers have to maintain hygiene for the patients by bathing the bedridden; hair care is a part of that,” Duangjit et al. “In addition to being a valuable hygienic activity, the daily hair washing of patients can help to boost their sense of well-being.”
EWR may be effective no-rinse ingredient
Duangjit et al.’s key investigation was of the efficacy of an ERW-based no-rinse shampoo. The component is a specially treated water which has “alkaline pH, contains richly dissolved hydrogen, and contains a small amount of platinum nanoparticles,” according to the National Library of Medicine.
The research team said ERW is already popular in Japan, has demonstrated antibacterial effects and can be applied in wound healing, advanced tissue care and dental clinics.
Duangjit et al.’s formulations were compared to commercially available dry shampoo.
The study found that the ERW formulation showed antibacterial and antifungal effects, although they noted some bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, would require a longer exposure time or higher surfactant concentration.
While Duangjit et al. used relatively gentle surfactants, they said the level of concentration is limited due to the risk of irritation and toxicity. However, they also said EWR’s own antibacterial properties may enhance the antimicrobial activity of no-rinse formulations.
EWR’s antibacterial activity may be attributable to “its hydroxide ion level and low oxidation-reduction potential,” according to Duangjit et al.
For future investigation
While Duangjit et al. said this study showed promise for the use of EWR in effective no-rinse shampoo, further research will need to be done to determine its safety and application in the proposed setting.
Next, they said skin irritation tests and in vivo efficacy tests on the elderly, those who are bedridden and ICU patients should occur.
“With the design and optimization of a new no-rinse shampoo, some limitations were resolved,” Duangjit et al said. “The use of ERW may be expanded to no-rinse shampoos.”
Title: “Application of Electrochemically Reduced Water for New No-Rinse Shampoo: Design and Optimization using Response Surface Methodology”
Author: Duangjit et al.
Source: Cosmetics 2022, 9(5), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics9050104