About Photo-Damage of Human Hair

September 2005 in “ Photochemical & photobiological sciences ”

Ana Cláudia Cavalcante Nogueira, Lelia E. Dicelio, Inés Joekes

photodamage photodegradation radiation wavelengths sun exposure melanin hair structural changes

Studysummary This review discusses the current understanding of hair photodamage and photodegradation and reports no new findings; it highlights unresolved questions about radiation effects and melanin's role in different hair types. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This paper reviewed the knowledge about human hair photodamage and the proposed photodegradation mechanisms, highlighting several unanswered questions. It noted a lack of understanding of hair structural changes caused by different radiation wavelengths and controversies regarding sun exposure effects on various hair types. While explanations often focused on melanin type and amount, the absence of detailed knowledge about melanin structure and standardized methodologies for human hair studies hindered reaching a consensus.

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