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

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.