The Role of Lipids in the Process of Hair Ageing

Abstract

An obvious sign of ageing is the loss of hair colour due to a decrease or lack of melanin in hair fibres. An examination of the lipid levels and structure of grey hair determined using µ–FTIR revealed a high correlation between the characteristics of lipids located in the cuticle and the water dynamics of the fibres. Therefore, a deep study based on external and internal lipid extraction, an analysis using thin layer chromatography coupled to an automated flame ionisation detector, calorimetric analyses and the physico-chemical evaluation of the delipidated fibres were performed. Hairs were evaluated to identify changes in the organisation of these lipids using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and their effect on the water dynamics of the fibres. The primary differences observed for the lipid extracts from white hair compared to brown hair were the lower amount of the internal lipids extracted, which were primarily composed of free fatty acids (FFAs) and ceramides, with a higher content of lower phase transition peaks, indicating increased unsaturated compounds that promote higher fluidity of the lipid bilayers. The virgin white fibres exhibited lower levels of embedded water, with lower binding energies and higher water diffusion, indicating higher permeability. The IR study confirmed the low lipid levels and the greater disorder of white hair. These results may be of interest for cosmetic treatments to which patients with grey hair may be subjected.

Advancing Lip Augmentation: State-of-the-Art 2D and 3D Analysis for Assessing Volume Enhancement and Lip Line Redefinition

“…More and more young people undergo aesthetic surgical procedures for lip augmentation to obtain the commonly sought-after appearance [31][32][33][34]. In addition, aging creates a spectrum of undesirable changes in the lips, as for the rest of the face [11,12,35]. The upper lip undergoes dermal atrophy and stretches vertically, leading to a thinner and less visible vermilion border [18].…”

Internal lipids and their fatty acids composition in a sheep wool fiber under biodestruction with fleece microorganisms

“…Internal lipids of fibers differ significantly from surface lipids (wax) and skin lipids, as they do not originate from sebaceous glands. They consist of cholesterol, fatty acids, cholesterol sulfate, and ceramides similar to those found in the stratum corneum of the epidermis [17].…”

Hair Lipid Structure: Effect of Surfactants

“…The reduced exogenous and endogenous lipid profile of grey hair includes lower levels of 18-MEA and reduced de novo synthesis of dihydroceramide after the age of 30 years [8,63,64]. Compared to brown hair, white hair has lower internal lipids, composed mainly of free fatty acids and ceramides, lower levels of embedded water and higher water diffusion, indicating higher permeability [65]. Grey hair is less resistant to brushing stress, and ageing accelerates the loss of the cuticle barrier of the hair, leading to thinner and potentially stiffer hair [66,67].…”