Photoinduced Formation of Thiols in Human Hair

September 2016 in “ Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B Biology ”

M. V. Fedorkova, Н.Н. Брандт, A. Yu. Chikishev, Н. В. Смолина, Н. Г. Балабушевич, С. А. Гусев, V. A. Lipatova, Veronika M. Botchey, Г. Е. Добрецов, Elena V. Mikhalchik

UV irradiation thiols hair cuticle SH groups soluble proteins SS bonds CS bonds cystines hair keratins disulfide bond cleavage Raman spectroscopy gel filtration chromatography ultraviolet light sulfhydryl groups disulfide bonds

TLDR UV exposure damages hair, increasing thiols and altering protein structure.

The study investigated the effects of UV irradiation on human hair, specifically focusing on the formation of thiols. It was found that UV exposure led to damage in the hair cuticle and an increase in SH groups in hair proteins, along with a rise in soluble proteins. The study observed a decrease in SS and CS bonds in cystines, particularly in peripheral regions, indicating conformational changes in hair keratins due to disulfide bond cleavage. These findings were supported by Raman spectroscopy and gel filtration chromatography, which showed changes in protein structure and molecular weight.

View this study on sciencedirect.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

8 / 8 results

research Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on the Soluble Proteins of Human Hair

13 citations , September 2014 in “Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology”

UV radiation increases protein loss from hair and reduces hair protein quality.

Measuring Changes in Chemistry, Composition, and Molecular Structure Within Hair Fibers by Infrared and Raman Spectroscopic Imaging

research Measuring Changes in Chemistry, Composition, and Molecular Structure Within Hair Fibers by Infrared and Raman Spectroscopic Imaging

42 citations , January 2011 in “Journal of Biomedical Optics”

Infrared and Raman imaging can non-destructively analyze hair structure and help diagnose hair conditions.

research Analysis of Structural Change in Keratin Fibers Resulting from Chemical Treatments Using Raman Spectroscopy

52 citations , February 2005 in “Biopolymers”

Chemical hair straightening changes hair proteins and mostly fixes broken bonds.

research Extractable Substances from Human Hair: A Discussion About the Origin of the Holes

15 citations , October 2004 in “Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces”

Holes in mature hair are likely caused by the removal of substances during hair care.

Review of the Current Understanding of the Effect of Ultraviolet and Visible Radiation on Hair Structure and Options for Photoprotection

research Review of the Current Understanding of the Effect of Ultraviolet and Visible Radiation on Hair Structure and Options for Photoprotection

22 citations , July 2004 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

UV radiation and visible light can damage hair, but there are ways to protect it.

research Human Hair: A Unique Physicochemical Composite

203 citations , June 2003 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Human hair, despite its different types, shares common traits that affect its structure and response to treatments.

research Electrophoretic analysis of human hair keratins

4 citations , December 1995 in “Anthropologischer Anzeiger”

Family members have similar hair protein patterns, which could be useful for genetic studies.

research Photochemical Alterations in Human Hair: Artificial Irradiation and Investigations of Hair Proteins

27 citations , January 1995

Melanin in black hair protects it from sun damage better than light-brown hair.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Human Hair Keratin Responds to Oxidative Stress via Reactive Sulfur and Supersulfides

April 2024 in “Advances in Redox Research”

Human hair strength and health are linked to sulfur compounds that can be reduced by stress but improved with sulfur supplements.

research Cryogelation of Human Hair Keratins

January 2022

Human hair keratins can be turned into useful 3D biomedical scaffolds through a freeze-thaw process.

research Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on the Soluble Proteins of Human Hair

13 citations , September 2014 in “Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology”

UV radiation increases protein loss from hair and reduces hair protein quality.

research Mechanical and Biological Properties of Keratose Biomaterials

140 citations , August 2011 in “Biomaterials”

Keratose, derived from human hair, is a non-toxic biomaterial good for tissue regeneration and integrates well with body tissues.

research Gray Hair: From Prevention to Treatment

June 2025 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

Gray hair can potentially be managed or reversed with treatments that boost melanin production and address nutritional deficiencies.

Photoinduced Formation of Thiols in Human Hair

Research cited in this study

research Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on the Soluble Proteins of Human Hair

research Measuring Changes in Chemistry, Composition, and Molecular Structure Within Hair Fibers by Infrared and Raman Spectroscopic Imaging

research Analysis of Structural Change in Keratin Fibers Resulting from Chemical Treatments Using Raman Spectroscopy

research Extractable Substances from Human Hair: A Discussion About the Origin of the Holes

research Review of the Current Understanding of the Effect of Ultraviolet and Visible Radiation on Hair Structure and Options for Photoprotection

research Human Hair: A Unique Physicochemical Composite

research Electrophoretic analysis of human hair keratins

research Photochemical Alterations in Human Hair: Artificial Irradiation and Investigations of Hair Proteins

Related Community Posts Join

community Scalp Sunburns cause permanent hair loss. UPF hats protect you. Watch if you use Tretinoin on the scalp

community I’ve been on medications for 5 months now

community Comparison of options: topical vs medication

community Making the jump to hair systems

community Possible solution: 2.5mg DUT for everyone

community My almost 1 year apart photos of finasteride 1mg and minoxidil 5% twice a daily with nizoral 2% once a week 23m. Want to know the state of my regrowth.

Similar Research

research Human Hair Keratin Responds to Oxidative Stress via Reactive Sulfur and Supersulfides

research Cryogelation of Human Hair Keratins

research Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on the Soluble Proteins of Human Hair

research Mechanical and Biological Properties of Keratose Biomaterials

research Gray Hair: From Prevention to Treatment