Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

Hair is the crowning glory of a human being. It has been considered one of the most

prominent and important aspects of the physical appearance. In all nations and in all culture,

people give much attention to the hair (Hollerman, 2018). Everyone wants to have a healthy and

shiny hair but somehow they are using artificial products containing chemicals (Skin, 2013).

According to BC Writer (2022), women and men feel empowered through hair and use it to

express themselves. Throughout history, hair has played a significant role in our society it is

associated with youthfulness and beauty in women and virility and masculinity in men, so it's no

surprise that hair loss can make many men and women feel self-conscious.

In an article published in the Canadian Review of Sociology, researchers found that

men believed the look and cut of their hair was a reflection of their sense of self. The men in this

study told the researchers that they believed that the ideal masculine man has a full head of well-

managed hair, and that bad hair can lead them to having low self-esteem and confidence and

scholars have found that women feel the same way. (Steven H Dayan, MD, 2014).
 Today, hair is more often a signal of personality than financial standing, where people

spend time and money creating the look that best expresses their individuality. Healthy and

beautiful hair can enhance someone’s appearance, and on top of that, having a stunning hairstyle

can give you a confidence boost that you always wanted and makes people able to feel strongly

about yourself and also help you face things that seemed difficult before. (Hair Club, 2021)

Herbal products are natural healing, has fewer side effects, cost-effective, easier to

obtain and more affordable than commercial products. Herbal products are beauty products

which possesses desirable physiological activity such as healing, smoothing appearance,

enhancing and conditioning properties because of its herbal ingredient.

Okra is a good source of vitamins A, B complex (B6, Thiamin) Vitamin B, C and E,

iron, zinc, biotin and calcium. It is rich in fiber, and high in Folic acid. So, okra is a great natural

conditioner for the damaged hair replacing lost nutrients. It is full of plant infusions to help you

get your hair into shape. (Sirod Naturals, 2022)

This conditioner will help repair damaged hair, detangle hair, condition and helps with

hair growth. All these vitamins contribute to cell turnover, promoting healthy cell growth and

shiny hair. Okra conditioner is super potent and shows surprising results to users from the very

first moment. That’s why it is recommended for hair that needs intense and powerful

moisturizing, such as curly, kinky, wavy and afro hair which tend to be naturally very dry scalps,
high-temperature tools (hair dryers, flat irons, and curling irons), and the action of the weather

and natural agents (wind, sun exposition, humidity, pollution, dust, etc.).

This study aims to determine the acceptability level of Lady’s Finger or Okra as an

Alternative Organic Hair Conditioner. This study will determine the profile of Lady’s Finger as

an Alternative Organic Hair Conditioner in terms of ingredients and cost, tools, procedure, and

shelf-life. It aims to determine the significant difference in the acceptability level of Lady’s

Finger as an Alternative Organic Hair Conditioner in terms of appearance, fragrance, texture,

viscosity, effectiveness.

Literature Background

According to John Dewey (1898 -1952) in his Philosophy of Experimentalism, it

states that an individual learns through self-activity or learning by doing it. It advocates

laboratory work, which enhances cooperation and creativity of an individual.

According to Rosenberg (1990), self-esteem is one’s positive or negative attitude

toward oneself and one’s evaluation of one’s own thoughts and feelings overall in relation to

oneself.
 According to the review of the Nutritional Quality and Health Benefits of Okra

(Habtamu Fekadu Gemede, Negussie Ratta, Gulelat Desse Haki, & Ashagrie Z. Woldegiorg,

2015) is that they concluded that eating more okra can rejuvenate our skin and hair, and also

shield us from degenerative diseases associated with long-term free radical damage.

According to the study about Evaluation and Formulation of Okra Extract (Mucilage)

containing moisturizing hair conditioner they conclude that Okra mucilage is an affordable

source of protein, carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins. Okra mucilage can be used for

enhancement of the hairs as it contains vitamins, large amounts of elements which are helpful for

the hair care (Karuna Vilas Mane, Mayuri Umakant Manthen, Snehal Sangappa Mhamane,

2019).

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is one of the most widely known and utilized species of

the family Malvaceae and an economically important vegetable crop grown in tropical and sub-

tropical world. Okra is a multipurpose crop due to its various uses of the fresh leaves, buds,

flowers, pods, stems and seeds. Okra immature fruits (green seed pods), which are

consumed as vegetables, can be used in salads, soups and stews, fresh or dried, fried or

boiled. It offers mucilaginous consistency after cooking.

 Okra is a one of the traditional plant scientifically known as Abelmoschus esculentus

Lann belong to the family Mallow having such nutritional value and proved to have many

therapeutic uses, various parts of this plant is used in different types of treatment, preparation of

pharmaceutical products and also used in preparation of fibers. Scientifically leaf extract of

Abelmoschus esculentus proved to have antipyretic antispamodie, anti-cancer immune

madalatory activities. It contains high nutritional value with various mineral contents like fibers,

different parts of this plant used in the extensively in traditional medicine. (Anjana Male, Doondi

Phani Kumar N., Vinay Mohan A., 2017)

Okra is rich in vitamins A, C, and K and has calcium, potassium, and lots of other

nutrients that are great for hair growth, moisturizing a dry scalp, and getting rid of dandruff.

(Zareen Siddiqui, 2018) This vegetable contains good quantities of vitamin A, for which it can

be used to powerfully moisturize and humidify one’s hair, restoring even the most damaged and

dry ones especially when using or doing treatments with chemicals, or frequently blow-drying

and flat-ironing the hair. The results are better shine and softness since this vegetable acts as a

hair conditioner. Being rich in vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin

K, as well as minerals such as calcium,iron, magnesium, zinc and potassium, and high quantities

of mucilaginous fibers, directly applying okra slime on hair can fight against and prevent all

damages caused by the agents mentioned above, making hair shinier and softer.
 To achieve a conditioner like-texture, honey is added the formulation. This two has

nutrients that are good to the hair. Honey is a bee-derived, supersaturated solution composed

mainly of fructose and glucose, and containing proteins and amino acids, vitamins, enzymes,

minerals, and other minor components. Historical records of honey skin uses date back to the

earliest civilizations, showing that honey has been frequently used as a binder or vehicle, but also

for its therapeutic virtues. Honey is particularly suitable as a dressing for wounds and burns and

has also been included in treatments against pityriasis, tinea, seborrhea, dandruff, diaper

dermatitis, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and anal fissure.

Benefits of honey are contributed by the composition of its elements such as glucose,

fructose, glucose oxidase, vitamins and phenolic compounds. In terms of beauty, honey can be

used on skin and hair. It moisturizes skin through its natural humectant properties contributed by

high contents of fructose and glucose. The hair can benefit from honey in such a way that the

hair has abundance, and becomes easier to comb (Hazrina Hadi; Syarifah Shakira Syed Omar;

Ammar Ihsan Awadh, 2016).

Hair conditioner is a hair care product that is applied after shampooing in order to

condition the hair. It is most useful for people with dry or damaged hair, as people with naturally

oily hair may find conditioner weighs their hair down rather than improves the overall look and

feel of it. There are a wide range of hair conditioning products, including those you rinse out,

leave in, or spray on.

 Hair conditioner that is applied after shampooing and then rinsed out is the most

common type of application for people with dry or damaged hair. Its purpose is to condition the

hair by restoring moisture, albeit artificially, and smoothing the cuticles of the hair follicles.

Conditioner is often comprised of both artificial and natural ingredients with some of the more

common natural moisturizers including jojoba, tea tree oil, shea butter , and aloe. Conditioner

chassis and their specific function in the formulations, review the leading global hair care market

trends and key consumer needs and drivers, and then map these trends and needs to "customized"

industry solutions by defining some of the latest functional ingredients and technologies that are

providing the desired benefits to the hair.

Leave-in conditioner is another type of hair conditioner that is either sprayed on or

rubbed in to towel-dried hair and permitted to remain on the hair without rinsing. This can be a

particularly useful method of conditioning hair, especially for highly active individuals. Spray on

conditioner is great for swimmers and athletes to use between deeper, more intensive

conditioning treatments (J. Beam, 2022).

Many countries use hair conditioner. Thus, the Philippines also make hair

conditioner as part of science and technology. Hair conditioner is an applied science. The 1987

Philippine Constitution Article XIV, Section 10 states that:

“Science and Technology are essential for national development and progress. The state shall

give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to
science and technology education, training and services. It shall support indigenous, appropriate

and self-reliant, scientific and technological capabilities, and their application to the country’s

productive systems and national life”.

THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem

The main purpose of the study is to determine the Acceptability of Lady’s Finger or

Okra as an Alternative Organic Hair Conditioner of all hair types. The study is conducted at

Bohol Island State University-Main Campus during the academic year 2021-2022.

Specifically, this study aimed to answer the following questions

1. What is the description of Lady‘s Finger as an Alternative Organic Hair Conditioner in terms

of:

1.1 Ingredients and Cost

1.2 Tools

Procedure/Process

Shelf life?
2. What is the acceptability level of Lady's Finger as an Alternative Organic Hair Conditioner in

terms of:

2.1 Appearance

2.2 Fragrance

2.3 Texture

2.4 Viscosity

2.5 Effectiveness?

3. Is there a significant difference in the acceptability level of Lady's Finger as an Alternative

Organic Hair Conditioner in terms of:

3.1 Appearance

3.2 Fragrance

3.3 Texture

3.4 Viscosity

3.5 Effectiveness?

4. What design criteria package and manufacturing technology can be developed as an output of

the study?
5. What action plan could be proposed for the development of the innovated organic hair

conditioner?

Significance of the Study

This study will be undertaken to find out the effectivity of Okra as an alternative organic

hair conditioner. Benefiting the study are the various sectors as follows:

 To the Students. This study may serve as their guide and reference for the students

undertaking similar studies. Also, students will be able to use okra not only just a food to

intake but also a product to apply. Students will be able to improve the appearance of

their hair without thinking the damage for it is organic and also not costly.

 To the Shop Teachers. This study will help them create specifications and objectives in

tackling about the benefits of okra. This is useful to them in their hair care subject as it

will aid the commercial product and as an alternative for easy application.

 To the Salon. This study will help them promote natural application of product and

provide quality service. This will also meet the satisfaction of the client without

damaging the hair and experiencing effects.

 To the Researchers. This study is a great privilege for us because we are able to make a

product that could be sold out in the market. Also, it is very overwhelming to create one

that would somehow change the perspectives of many about the significant of our

product.
  To the Future Researchers. This research will be a useful reference for the researchers

who would plan to make any related study.

Overall, this research study will be helpful to the students, the shop teachers, the salon, the

researchers, and future researchers in providing and using lady’s finger or okra as an alternative

organic hair conditioner.

DEFINITION OF TERMS:

 ACCEPTABILITY LEVEL. The level on how people accept and approve the product

based on the result.

 ALTERNATIVE. A word that expresses a sign of choice. A word which indicates an

option that will solve the problem.

 APPEARANCE. It is the physical aspect which can be seen as a whole. The display of

something.

 CONDITIONER. A product that will help smoothens and moisturize the entire hair and

scalp. Subject for ensuring the health of the hair and scalp.

 COST. This describes the amount of money that would be spent throughout the

formulation.

 EFFECTIVENESS. The level of effectivity of the product.

 FRAGRANCE. It is the smell of a product or something. It promotes the essence of the

hair to be look good and fresh.

 HAIR. The crowning glory of a person. It is located at the top of the head and it differ

from its texture and type.

 HONEY. A sweet substance that made by bees. The extract from it commonly used as an

ingredient for drinking or for products and is also good for the hair.

 INGREDIENTS. These are the things or components used to make products. Such as in

formulating conditioner, there are several things needed.

 OKRA or LADY’S FINGER. A vegetable. It comprises of nutrients that is not only

essential for the heath of the body but as well as the health of the hair.

 ORGANIC. Products that are made naturally without mixing any other chemically-made

products. A product that is seen mostly in backyard or in garden.

 PROCEDURE. This is the process on how to formulate the product. The step-by-step

procedure.

 PROCESS. The step-by-step of something in order to achieve expected result. It is a

must to follow the exact process in order for the service or the product made to success.

 SHELF-LIFE. It is a daily check-up of something or a product. Taking note the different

improvements and changes of the product whether it would last or not and the period of

its life.

 TEXTURE. Describes the stickiness of the product.

 TOOLS. These are the equipment needed in doing the service and processing the

product. These are essential for it will help in providing success in application.

 VISCOSITY. This describes the consistency of the product.