Human Hair: An Important Biological Matrix of Interest

Human hair is highlighted as a valuable biological matrix for clinical and toxicological analyses, offering an alternative to traditional matrices like blood and urine. The article reviews the structure of hair, the incorporation mechanisms of various active substances, and the advantages of using hair as an analytical sample. It also discusses sample collection, preparation, and analytical techniques. The research, based on scientific journals, books, and websites, found that a wide range of pharmacological substances, including analgesics, antidepressants, and steroids, can be detected in hair. These substances enter the hair through diffusion from the bloodstream, sweat, sebum, or external sources. The penetration rate of substances into hair is influenced by their lipid solubility, molecular weight, and polarity. The article concludes that human hair is a significant matrix for diverse investigations in clinical, nutritional, archaeological, and forensic fields.