Investigating the Origins of Nanostructural Variations in Differential Ethnic Hair Types Using X-Ray Scattering Techniques

    May 2013 in “ International Journal of Cosmetic Science ”
    Matthew Wade, I. Tucker, Patrick N. Cunningham, Richard Skinner, Fraser I. Bell, T. Lyons, Kate Patten, Lee Gonzalez, Tim J. Wess
    TLDR Different ethnic hair types have unique nanoscopic and molecular features despite having the same basic keratin structure.
    The study investigated nanostructural variations in different ethnic hair types using X-ray scattering techniques. It focused on five ethnic hair types: Afro (subdivided into elastic 'rubber' and softer non-elastic 'soft'), Chinese, European, and Mullato. The research utilized small angle X-Ray scattering (SAXS) and wide angle X-Ray scattering (WAXS) to analyze the structural features of hair at the nanoscopic level. The results showed that while the fibrous keratin scaffold was consistent across all hair types, there were distinct differences in the orientation and intensity of the lipid components. These variations in keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) and lipids contributed to the macroscopic differences in hair morphology among the ethnic groups studied.
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