Integral Characterization of Normal and Alopecic Hair at Different Degeneration Stages by In-Situ Visible and Chemical Imaging

March 2020 in “ Spectrochimica Acta Part A Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy ”

Shi-Wei Hou, Si-Yu He, Jun Xie, Ming‐You Li, Miao-Si Hong, Fu-Lan Guan, Yu Ling Hu, Yan Li Huang, Chang Hua Xu, Shi-Wei Hou, Si-Yu He, Jun Xie, Ming‐You Li, Miao-Si Hong, Fu-Lan Guan, Yu Ling Hu, Yan Li Huang, Chang Hua Xu

alopecia infrared spectroscopic imaging scanning electron microscopy lipids phosphates lipoproteins phospholipids medulla phosphate transformation

TLDR Alopecic hair has more irregular structures and chemical changes than normal hair, reducing its strength.

The study utilized infrared spectroscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy to compare normal hair (NH) and alopecic hair (AH) at various degeneration stages. It found that AH exhibited more irregular laminated structures than NH, resulting in reduced weight-bearing capacity. As alopecia progressed, the spatial distribution of lipids, phosphates, lipoproteins, and phospholipids in hair sections intensified and centralized towards the medulla, with lipoprotein areas increasing from 13% in NH to 30% in AH. The study also noted a red shift in phosphate peaks in AH, indicating phosphate transformation. This research provided a fast, eco-friendly method for analyzing hair, revealing significant chemical and structural differences between NH and AH. The study involved 5 male participants with alopecia and 5 with normal hair, aged 25 to 40.

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