Impact of Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Damage to Hair Fiber Integrity: A Multi-Technique Physicochemical Characterization of Surface and Cortex Properties

May 2026 in “ International Journal of Cosmetic Science ”

Nathana Cindy Barros Silva Ramos, Alzira Xavier Pinto Dini, Viviane Cristina Albarici, Mayara Miranda Ferreira, Caroline Vieira Hercolino, Adriano da Silva Pinheiro, André Rolim Baby, Maria Valéria Robles Velasco

ultraviolet radiation UV radiation hair fiber integrity bleaching solar radiation damage cuticular damage cystic component oxidation hydrophobicity mechanical degradation structural protein degradation chemical oxidation UV damage sun damage hair damage bleach damage

Studysummary This study found that UV radiation exposure during a simulated Brazilian summer caused more significant mechanical damage to natural hair than bleaching, although both caused comparable structural alterations, with double bleaching leading to the most severe protein degradation.

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This study investigates the impact of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on hair fiber integrity, comparing it to the effects of bleaching. It simulates solar radiation damage over a Brazilian summer and finds that UV exposure causes cuticular damage similar to bleaching, with increased cystic component oxidation and decreased hydrophobicity. After 192 hours of UV exposure, hair shows significant mechanical degradation, with reduced force at 20% elongation and elongation at break, indicating more pronounced damage than chemical oxidation alone. However, the structural protein degradation from double bleaching is more severe than that from UV radiation, despite comparable enthalpy changes after 192 hours of UV exposure.

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