Multidimensional Profiling of Human Body Hairs Using Qualitative and Semi-Quantitative Approaches with SR-XRF, ATR-FTIR, DSC, and SEM-EDX

February 2023 in “ International journal of molecular sciences ”

Karen J. Cloete, Ž. Šmit, Alessandra Gianoncelli

scalp hair eyebrow hair underarm hair pubic hair leg hair hair follicle elemental properties biochemical properties thermal properties cuticle properties growth rate follicle activity sodium magnesium silicon aluminum hair growth hair analysis

Studysummary This study explored a multidimensional approach to examine body hairs' physico-chemical properties, potentially supporting their use over scalp hairs in forensic and intoxication studies.

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This study used advanced techniques (SR-XRF, ATR-FTIR, DSC, SEM-EDX) to profile various human body hairs (scalp, eyebrow, underarm, pubic, leg) from one individual, revealing significant differences in their elemental, biochemical, thermal, and cuticle properties. Factors like growth rate, follicle activity, and external influences affected these properties. Sodium, magnesium, silicon, and aluminum distributions varied across hair types, with hierarchical clustering showing distinct profiles, especially between leg and eyebrow hairs. The study's multidimensional approach offers valuable insights for forensic science, toxicology, and hair research, highlighting the need for further exploration across different demographics.

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