Age-Dependent Changes in Damage Processes of Hair Cuticle
January 2015
in “
Journal of cosmetic dermatology
”
TLDR Older people's hair cuticles get more easily damaged and lose protective oils, especially in their 40s and 50s.
The study investigated age-dependent changes in hair cuticle damage among Japanese females aged 10 to 70. It found that the dominant damage pattern shifts from type L (cell membrane complex splitting) to type E (endocuticle damage) with aging. Additionally, the cuticle's resistance to grooming stress decreases over time, and the reduction of fatty acid 18-MEA on the hair surface accelerates in older hair. These changes contribute to increased cuticle fragility and deterioration of hair surface properties, particularly noticeable in individuals in their 40s and 50s.