Lipid Losses and Barrier Function Modifications of the Brown-to-White Hair Transition
February 2019
in “
Skin research and technology
”
lipid profiles barrier functions brown hair white hair Caucasian hair fibers synchrotron-based μ-FTIR mapping dynamic vapor sorption cuticle cortex medulla lateral packing order water absorption capacity water exchange velocity water dynamics lipid content hair fibers FTIR mapping DVS analyses hair cuticle hair cortex hair medulla water absorption water exchange
TLDR White hair has less lipid content and absorbs water differently than brown hair.
The study investigated the lipid profiles and barrier functions of brown and white Caucasian hair fibers. Using synchrotron-based μ-FTIR mapping and dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) analyses, it was found that white hair fibers had significantly lower lipid content in the cuticle, cortex, and medulla compared to brown hair fibers. Despite this, the lateral packing order of lipids in the cuticle remained unchanged, while the cortex and medulla of white hair showed a higher lateral packing order. Additionally, white hair fibers exhibited decreased water absorption capacity and increased water exchange velocity with the environment. The findings highlighted a strong correlation between lipid characteristics in the cuticle and the water dynamics of hair fibers.
