Measuring Changes in Chemistry, Composition, and Molecular Structure Within Hair Fibers by Infrared and Raman Spectroscopic Imaging

In the 2011 study by Zhang, Senak, and Moore, infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopic imaging were utilized to investigate the chemical composition and molecular structure of human hair fibers. The research provided detailed images of untreated hair, revealing the spatial distribution of lipids and proteins, protein secondary structures, lipid chain order, and disulfide cross-links. The study found that the cuticle region of hair contains a higher level of beta-sheets, and proteins in the medulla are helical like those in the cortex. Both IR and Raman imaging were shown to be valuable non-destructive tools for understanding hair structure and integrity. The techniques, supported by multivariate and univariate data analysis, allowed for the characterization of hair's microanatomy and could aid in diagnosing hair and scalp conditions. The study also acknowledged the support of Professor Richard Mendelsohn and Dr. Carol Flach in the data acquisition process.