Hair fixing

Ingredients with the hair fixing function help hair maintain its desired shape for longer: they retain styling, reduce the decay of curls and maintain volume. They usually form a thin polymer film on the surface of the hair, due to which the strands adhere better to each other and become more obedient. This is important primarily for lacquers, mousses, gels and styling creams, where such a group of substances affects not only the styling result, but also the behavior of the formula itself.: the texture, the distribution over the hair, the drying rate and the degree of rigidity or, conversely, the elasticity of the coating. A similar mechanism is well described for film-forming polymers used in hair products; the FDA also notes that individual components in hair spray formulations help form a more flexible film on the hair. (fda.gov)

PVP and VP/VA Copolymer are most often used in this role. These substances are known as film-forming agents and fixatives: they help to fix the hairstyle, while the degree of effect depends on the concentration, combination with solvents and plasticizers, as well as on the format of the product. For example, a more "rigid" formula holds its shape better, and a more flexible one gives natural mobility to the hair without strong gluing. For the scalp, such ingredients are usually not targeted care components, their main task is precisely to control the styling and sensory properties of the product. At the same time, as with any cosmetic ingredients, safety must be assessed by the manufacturer, taking into account the conditions of use and the correct labeling of the product. (pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)