Abstract
A nano-mist shower (NMS) is able to remove foreign substances from the scalp by detergency action, making possible hair washing without shampoo. In this study, we examined the washing effects of NMS and compared the results with hair washing using tap water and shampoo (TS).
There were 35 participants, whose mean age was 30.9 (±9.2S.D.) years. Each participant’s hair was washed again by either TS or NMS. Before and after the each hair washing, we checked the detergency effects on the scalp, including ATP level, sebum, and subjective assessment by visual analog scale into five grades. In addition, washing time and quantity of water used were measured. The level of significance assumed it 5%.
The ATP level was significantly decreased by both NMS and TS. After NMS it decreased from 7381±7171RLU to 4317±3236RLU, and after TS it decreased from 7763±9977RLU to 5921±1782RLU. Sebum was also significantly decreased in both NMS (from66±30 to 11±9) and TS (from 93±25 to 4±2). Thus, comparison by ATP and sebum levels showed no significant differences between NMS and TS. Subjective assessment showed significantly reduced “tackiness” and “unpleasant smell” by both methods, while NMS was rated significantly inferior on “sound” , “refreshing” and “smell” . Mean washing time by NMS was 231±34sec, and by TS it was 524±81 sec. The quantity of used water in NMS was 4.4±0.8l and by TS it was 18.5±2.2l.
Our results suggested the usefulness of NMS that it was as effective as TS in detergency, as well as being faster and more water economical.
