Development of a Classification System for Extrinsic Hair Damage: Standard Grading of Electron Microscopic Findings of Damaged Hairs

Abstract

Human hairs experience damage and restoration processes consistently because of various external and internal factors. To analyze degrees of hair damage, morphological studies based on electron microscopy (EM), and biochemical studies based on protein and lipid analysis have been proposed and are widely used. Among them, morphological analysis through EM is a fundamental method in understanding the degree of damage and restoration. EM has been very useful in assessing extrinsic and intrinsic damage of hair and various pathological alopecias and also in estimating the efficacy of various kinds of products related to hair care. However, morphological studies have some limitations because they have been described using varying terms and subjective descriptions by different researchers. To establish an objective classification of damaged hair using uniform terms and standardizations. We analyzed over 2000 scanning electron microscopic and transmission electron microscopic findings of normal and of various kinds of damaged hairs to develop a standard grading system for the damaged hairs. After reviewing the results of the electron microscopic pictures, we proposed a standard grading system based on scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. We developed and proposed an easy, objective, and useful standard grading system of damaged hairs.

The Ethnic Differences of the Damage of Hair and Integral Hair Lipid after Ultra Violet Radiation

“…The hair samples (hair tresses) were washed with a 3% diluted commercial shampoo, and then rinsed thoroughly with water and dried in ambient conditions7. Since there are some limitations for sampling of the hairs in regard to each race, we used the commercial samples.…”

“…A cooling fan was used to prevent the heat damage due to UV irradiation. All experiments were conducted at room temperature7.…”

“…Slides were examined by SEM (LEO 1499AP, 30 kV, LEO, Germany). Results were scored according to a SEM standard grading system, as previously described by Kim et al7.…”

“…The specimens were viewed under TEM (JEM-1200EDXII, 80 kV, JEOL, Tokyo, Japan)8. The results were scored according to the TEM standard grading system7.…”

“…The hair samples were fixed in Karnovsky solution (2% glutaraldehyde+2% paraform) and rinsed in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate and post-fixed with Lee's fixative (0.5% RuO4:2% OsO4:0.2 M cacodylate buffer=1:1:1) to minimize hair injury1,7.…”