New Insights Into Human Hair: SAXS, SEM, TEM, and EDX for Alopecia Areata Investigations

January 2020 in “ PeerJ ”

Adina Coroabă, Anca Chiriac, Liviu Săcărescu, Tudor Pinteala, Bogdan Minea, Sorin-Alexandru Ibanescu, Mihaela Perțea, Aurelian Corneliu Moraru, Irina Eşanu, Stelian Sergiu Maier, Anca Chiriac, Mariana Pinteală

Alopecia Areata SAXS SEM TEM EDX melanin aggregates elemental composition hair integrity AA small-angle X-ray scattering scanning electron microscopy transmission electron microscopy energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy

Studysummary This study found significant structural and compositional differences in hair affected by alopecia areata compared to healthy hair, using a range of physico-chemical investigation methods. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study utilized advanced imaging and analytical techniques (SAXS, SEM, TEM, and EDX) to investigate structural and compositional changes in hair affected by Alopecia Areata (AA). Analyzing hair samples from 20 AA patients and 20 healthy donors, it found significant alterations in AA hair, including surface defects, air-like vesicles, differences in melanin aggregates, and elemental composition changes. These findings provided deeper insights into AA's impact on hair integrity and suggested potential for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

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