Photoaging of Hair Fiber and Photoprotection
January 1994
in “
Skin pharmacology and physiology
”
photoageing hair fiber cuticle loss macro-fibrils melanin pigments cortex damage carbonyl groups cystine destruction protein modification mechanical strength loss discoloration UV radiation visible radiation photooxidation xenon lamps protective materials sun damage hair damage hair discoloration UV light visible light sun protection
TLDR Sunlight damages hair, causing cuticle loss, protein changes, and discoloration.
Exposure to sunlight caused significant damage to hair fibers, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. This damage included cuticle loss, separation of macro-fibrils, and destruction of melanin pigments, leading to cortex damage. Chemical and physical changes such as formation of carbonyl groups, cystine destruction, protein modification, loss of mechanical strength, and discoloration were observed. Both UV and visible radiations altered hair properties, and experiments with artificial light sources replicated these effects. Water played a significant role in discoloration, especially in brown hair. Xenon lamps were effective in simulating natural photooxidation, and the study also examined the properties of some protective materials.
