Zurko Research: Scalp Pollution and Cleansing Efficacy: A New Approach to Anti-Pollution Hair Care via ZOOM#34

Environmental pollution affects not only the hair fiber but also the scalp, making it essential to evaluate the effectiveness of cleansing routines. In a previous study at Zurko Research, we exposed untreated human hair tresses to urban, rural and artificially polluted environments for 45 days, observing significant structural damage, increased friction, color changes and reduced mechanical strength, especially under high pollution conditions. Building on these findings, we developed a complementary clinical study focused on the scalp. Cosmetic-grade carbon particles were applied to healthy volunteers’ scalps to simulate pollution, followed by different shampoo or routine applications. Residual contamination was then assessed visually by trained experts. The study revealed marked differences in cleansing efficacy between products, highlighting the need for targeted anti-pollution strategies that protect both the hair shaft and the scalp. This method provides a safe, reproducible way to test scalp cleansing performance.