Discrete Nanoscale Distribution of Hair Lipids Fails to Provide Humidity Resistance

The study concluded that the discrete nanoscale distribution of hair lipids did not provide effective humidity resistance. Despite the presence of lipids in various hair compartments, their removal did not affect water vapor permeability or liquid water uptake kinetics, indicating that hair lipids did not significantly enhance the hair's ability to resist humidity. Advanced techniques like FTIR and AFM-IR were used to analyze lipid distribution, revealing that lipids were more concentrated in the medulla and cuticle than in the cortex. The findings suggested that the arrangement and presence of lipids alone were insufficient to protect hair from humidity-induced damage, highlighting the need for additional protective measures in hair care formulations.