• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 2008

In this study, we have investigated the effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the external and internal structure of human hair. For changes in morphological and chemical structure of UV-exposed hair, we utilized several microscopic techniques such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), and etc. The SEM showed the scales of UV-exposed hair appeared to be rough and bulkier because of chemical oxidation during UV irradiation. Small bulgy area of UV_exposed hair surface was appeared as a result of the decomposition in cysteic acid. In the TEM picture the UV-exposed hair showed the cleaved aperture of hair and destruction of melanin granules. Three dimensional topographical images were obtained by using CLSM. In the optical single section, high fluorescent intensity appeared in virgin hair. In the case of UV-exposed hair, low fluorescence intensity appeared. This means the aromatic amino acids in virgin hair were more abundant than UV-exposed hair.