research Determination of the pH Gradient in Hair Follicles of Human Volunteers Using pH-Sensitive Melamine Formaldehyde-Pyranine Nile Blue Microparticles
The study investigated the pH gradient within human hair follicles using melamine formaldehyde particles containing fluorescent pH indicators, applied to 40 scalp hairs from 8 individuals. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed a significant pH gradient from the hair sheath to the external hair shaft, with pH values decreasing from 6.63 ± 0.09 at the hair sheath to 6.17 ± 0.09 at the external hair shaft. This suggested a pH increase towards the hair root, providing insights into the in vivo pH environment of hair follicles, which could be useful for targeted drug delivery applications.
