PVP is water-soluble, best used in moderate humidity zones
PVP (poly n-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone”>
A polymer that is notorious for having these issues is currently seeing an upsurge in usage amongst products targeted at curly-haired consumers, and that is PVP (poly n-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone”>. PVP is an excellent film-former, is relatively inexpensive, and most notably, is completely water soluble. The water solubility is extremely attractive to companies who wish to sell products to consumers who do not use shampoo or who use very mild shampoos, as it makes the gel easy to rinse. However, PVP can be very brittle and prone to flaking in cold dry weather. It also is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture from the air in humid climates, which can impart a tacky, sticky feel and lead to frizz and other unpleasantness. Clearly, a product which relies on PVP for its styling properties is likely to yield varying results depending upon local climate and individual handling of the hair once the film is dry. It seems prudent to perhaps avoid use of PVP-based gels, unless you live in a very moderate temperature and humidity zone (and you aren’t apt to handle your hair physically much once the gel is applied”>.
PVA (poly vinyl acetate”>
PVA (poly vinyl acetate”> overcomes some of the drawbacks of PVP. It is less apt to absorb moisture from the atmosphere, as it is water resistant. It is also a more flexible material, so it can bend without breakage, therefore, flaking is not an issue. However, it is not as substantive to hair as some of the other polymers (such as PVP or the polyquaterniums”>, and as a result curl retention or style hold is poor, and the effects wear off during the day.
