What Is Lithium carbonate?
Lithium carbonate is a white powder that can be used in cosmetics for buffering, hair waving or straightening. However, it is a strong irritant when dissolved in water. Lithium carbonate is a type of salt made from lithium and carbonate, but we don't know exactly how it works. It's often used as a mood-stabilizing medication because it affects the release of neurotransmitters and alters cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations. It also blocks inositol metabolism which can lead to depletion of cellular inositol and inhibition of phospholipase C-mediated signal transduction. In simpler terms, lithium carbonate changes the way chemicals work in our brains which can help improve mood stability.
What is the purpose of Lithium carbonate in personal care products?
It is used for its buffering
and hair-waving and straightening characteristics.
Lithium carbonate regulates the pH balance and straightens or waves your hair.
Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Lithium Carbonate and "Carbonic acid, lithium salt (1:2)".
What Are Buffering Ingredients?
Lithium carbonate has buffering characteristics.
Buffering ingredients helps regulate and maintain the pH balance of cosmetic products. The pH scale is a method used to determine a mixture's acidity or alkalinity level. Our skin's natural pH balance helps it stay healthy and function properly. When cosmetic products are applied to the skin, they can alter the pH balance, potentially causing irritation or other adverse effects.
Buffering ingredients neutralize or adjust the pH of cosmetic products to match that of the skin, which helps minimize the risk of irritation or damage. By maintaining a consistent pH balance, buffering ingredients can also improve the stability and effectiveness of a product's active ingredients.
Types of Buffering Ingredients
Here are some of the most common types of buffering ingredients:
Alkalis: These have a high pH and are used to neutralize acids. They help maintain the product's pH within a desired range.
Acids: These have a low pH and are used to neutralize alkalis. They help maintain the cosmetic product's pH within a desired range.
Salts: These are formed when an acid and a base (alkali) are mixed. They help maintain the cosmetic product's stability by preventing changes in pH caused by external factors such as heat or exposure to air.
What Are Hair-Waving and Straightening Ingredients?
Lithium carbonate has hair-waving and straightening characteristics.
Hair-waving and straightening ingredients change the texture of your hair and work by modifying the chemical structure of the hair, allowing it to be set in the style required.
Hair-waving products contain a chemical that breaks down the bonds that hold the hair in its current shape. Once these bonds are broken, the hair can be set in a new shape using rollers or other styling tools. Once the hair has been set, a neutralizing agent is applied, which reforms the broken bonds and sets the hair in its new shape.
On the other hand, hair straightening products break down the protein bonds in the hair and then re-form them in a straight pattern. This process usually involves a straightening iron or other heat sources to help set the hair in the desired shape. The results of hair straightening products can last up to several months, depending on how well the hair is cared for after the treatment.
The chemical ingredients in these products can vary, but many contain ammonium thioglycolate, which is used to break down the bonds in the hair for waving. For straightening, sodium hydroxide or guanidine hydroxide is often used to break down the protein bonds in the hair.
Safety
Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.