Imaging of Photo-Damaged Hair with Differential Phase Scanning X-Ray Microscopy

The study used differential phase scanning X-ray microscopy to observe the internal microstructure of hair subjected to sunlight and chemical treatments (untreated, permed, and bleached). It found that permed hair had a higher void ratio in the cortex compared to untreated hair, and sunlight exposure reduced this void ratio. In contrast, bleached hair showed no significant change in void ratio with or without sunlight exposure. These results indicated that the internal microstructural changes in hair due to sunlight were influenced by prior chemical treatments, highlighting the need for tailored protection and repair technologies.