The Physical and Chemical Disruption of Human Hair After Bleaching – Studies by Transmission Electron Microscopy and Redox Proteomics
September 2018
in “
International Journal of Cosmetic Science
”
peroxide bleaching human hair protein loss cuticle cortex intermediate filaments keratin-associated proteins transmission electron microscopy melanin degradation protein oxidation sulphur-containing amino acids cystine disulphide bonds cysteic acid oxidative damage bleaching hair protein loss hair cuticle hair cortex hair keratin TEM hair melanin hair protein oxidation hair sulphur amino acids hair cystine bonds hair cysteic acid hair oxidative damage
TLDR Bleaching hair causes severe structural and chemical damage, including protein loss and oxidation.
The study investigated the effects of cosmetic peroxide bleaching on human hair, focusing on structural and chemical changes. It was found that protein loss increased with the severity of bleaching, affecting not only the cuticle but also the cortex, including intermediate filaments and keratin-associated proteins. Bleaching led to significant damage to the cuticle and cortex, with extensive melanin degradation even at mild bleaching levels. The oxidation primarily targeted sulphur-containing amino acids, converting cystine disulphide bonds to cysteic acid. The study concluded that peroxide treatments rapidly penetrate the cortex, causing widespread oxidative damage and protein loss, facilitated by structural degradation of the cuticle.
