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AccessFIX PAH-50

Hair Fixative Polymer for Long-Lasting, Humidity-Resistant Hold

INCI Name: AMP-Acrylates Copolymer

AccessFIX PAH-50 is a high-performance hair styling polymer that provides excellent hold, humidity resistance, and durability across hairsprays, gels, and mousses. Based on AMP-Acrylates Copolymer, it forms a clear, flexible, non-tacky film to lock styles in place without flaking, enabling professional-quality styling products with reliable, long-lasting performance.

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Perfect For These Applications

Other cosmetic uses possible—contact us for formulation guidance.

  • Aerosol & Pump Hairsprays
    Creates a fine, clear mist that dries quickly to deliver strong, long-lasting hold and excellent humidity resistance without a sticky feel.
  • Hair Gels & Glazes
    Enables crystal-clear gels with superior hold and style memory, from flexible control to firm sculpting.
  • Styling Mousses
    Builds a lightweight, stable foam that provides volume, definition, and durable hold upon application.
  • Setting Lotions
    Ideal for heat-activated setting lotions with excellent curl retention and humidity/frizz protection.
  • Conditioning Mousses
    Delivers light hold and style control in conditioning systems, aiding detangling without weighing hair down.
  • Root Volumizers & Texturizers
    Provides targeted root lift and texture with structural support and hold where needed.

How to Use AccessFIX PAH-50 in Your Formulations

Understanding AccessFIX PAH-50

If you’ve ever wondered what gives hairspray its “hold,” the answer is a film-forming polymer like AccessFIX PAH-50. Think of it as creating an invisible, flexible scaffolding around each hair strand. When you apply your styling product, the carrier evaporates, leaving this polymer network behind to lock the style in place and resist frizz—even in humid weather.

For the technical formulator, AccessFIX PAH-50 is an anionic acrylate copolymer. In its raw form it is not water-soluble; it must be neutralized with an alkali (e.g., Aminomethyl Propanol/AMP or Triethanolamine) to “activate” solubility and film-forming performance. As the pH is raised, the polymer uncoils and dissolves to produce a clear solution or gel with the desired viscosity and hold characteristics.

Formulation Tips

Use level directly impacts hold strength. For light, flexible hold in volumizing mousses, use 2–4% (active solids). For firm, long-lasting hold in styling gels or strong hairsprays, use 5–10%.

Disperse AccessFIX PAH-50 into the water phase under good mixing; it will appear as a milky dispersion. Then add your neutralizer slowly while stirring. As the pH rises into the 7.0–9.0 range, the system will clarify and thicken as the polymer fully solubilizes (target ~80–100% neutralization). Confirm final pH in the optimal range for best performance.

The polymer is broadly compatible with common hair care ingredients (conditioners, humectants, fragrances). Because it is anionic, very high levels of cationic materials may reduce clarity or performance—validate in your specific system.

Key Formulation Benefits:

  • Tunable, Long-Lasting Hold: Adjust hold from soft and flexible to extra-strong by changing usage level for all-day style retention.
  • Superior Humidity Resistance: Forms a moisture-resistant film to combat frizz and style collapse in damp conditions.
  • Crystal-Clear Formulations: Neutralized systems yield clear gels and sprays for premium aesthetics.
  • Non-Tacky, Natural Feel: Delivers strong hold without sticky buildup; films remain flexible on hair.
  • Excellent Style Memory: Helps hair return to the intended shape, extending the life of the style.
  • Versatile Application: Ideal for aerosol/pump sprays, mousses, gels, setting lotions, and glazes.
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Benefits
Frizz Control, Hair Care Benefits, Hold & Style Retention, Long-Lasting Effect, Performance Enhancement
INCI Name
AMP-Acrylates Copolymer
Usage Rate
2%-10%
Functional Type
Film Formers & Fixatives, Hair Fixative Polymers
Phase Compatibility
Water Phase
Application Area
Hair, Scalp
Product Type Suitability
Gels, Hair Styling
Certifications
Cruelty-Free, Vegan
Physical Form
Liquid

Frequently Asked Questions About AccessFIX PAH-50

It’s the key styling ingredient that provides hold. It forms a thin, invisible film on the hair to keep strands in the desired shape, as in hairsprays and gels.
Use 2–10% active polymer. For light, flexible hold, target 2–4%. For firm, all-day hold (e.g., sculpting gels or strong sprays), use 5–10%.
Neutralization raises the pH by adding an alkali (e.g., AMP, TEA) so the polymer dissolves, clears, thickens, and gains film-forming ability. Without this step, the polymer won’t perform. Aim for a final pH of about 7.0–9.0.
At 2–4% it offers flexible hold with minimal stiffness. Above ~5% the hold is firmer and may feel stiffer, but the film is designed to be non-tacky. Adjust dosage to tune feel.
Yes. One of AccessFIX PAH-50’s core benefits is excellent humidity resistance to help prevent frizz and style collapse in damp conditions.
Aerosol or pump hairsprays, hair gels, styling mousses, setting lotions, and glazes/pomades.
Once neutralized it is water-soluble in the formula and forms a humidity-resistant film on hair that removes easily with normal shampoo—no long-term buildup.

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AccessFIX PAH-50

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