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Recent Advances in Hair Science

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 July 2021) | Viewed by 42384

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4700-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: development of protein-based cosmetics; protein engineering; protein expression; hair as an analytical tool; in vitro culture of cells and screening of molecules bioactivity
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is devoted to recent advances in hair science, from the application of new methodologies for assessing hair status and composition to the development of new hair cosmetic formulations. Hair is an intricate structure composed of several morphological components organized into cuticle, cortex, and medulla. Although no vital function is attributed to the hair, its role in the protection against environmental factors like cold, heat, sunlight, and wetness is commonly recognized.

As a response to social stimulus, cultural influence, fashion, and personal taste, hair is one of the personal features that we can easily change, in terms of its length, shape, and color. The hair cosmetic industry has developed a plethora of hair cosmetic products and procedures to modify the properties of hair. However, daily hair care routine, environmental insults, styling processes, and chemicals present in hair cosmetic products can induce irreversible changes in hair, altering its physicochemical properties. Hair cosmetic research is focused on the development of advanced hair cosmetic formulations that can modify the properties of hair while protecting it from damage.

Due to its ability to accumulate different types of metabolites, drugs, metals, and other types of molecules at high concentrations in its matrix, hair has become a powerful tool in forensic science. Analysis of hair allows the establishment of associations between individuals and between persons and environments. Lately, hair has been used to study the origins and migration of modern humans and for the estimation of wild animal population sizes. For this Special Issue, we welcome submissions exploring cutting-edge research and recent advances in hair science. Studies comprising new strategies for hair analysis, new hair cosmetic formulations, and the development of new approaches to assess hair properties are welcome, as are comprehensive review papers.

Dr. Artur Jorge Ribeiro
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Hair
  • Hairstyling
  • Hair damage
  • Cosmetic formulations
  • Hair protection
  • Hair color
  • Eco-friendly

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2373 KiB  
Article
Regenerative Biotechnologies in Plastic Surgery: A Multicentric, Retrospective, Case-Series Study on the Use of Micro-Needling with Low-Level Light/Laser Therapy as a Hair Growth Boost in Patients Affected by Androgenetic Alopecia
by Pietro Gentile, Simone Garcovich, Soo-Ik Lee and Sangbum Han
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(1), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12010217 - 27 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6925
Abstract
A new biotechnology based on micro-needling (MND) with low-level light/laser therapy (LLLT) that is used for hair re-growth (HR-G) needs to be standardized. The study aims to report the clinical outcomes resulting from a multicentric, retrospective, observational, case-series study in which MND with [...] Read more.
A new biotechnology based on micro-needling (MND) with low-level light/laser therapy (LLLT) that is used for hair re-growth (HR-G) needs to be standardized. The study aims to report the clinical outcomes resulting from a multicentric, retrospective, observational, case-series study in which MND with LLLT was used on patients affected by androgenic alopecia (AGA). Twenty-six patients were initially enrolled of which 15 males were classified as stages I–III of vertex by the Norwood–Hamilton scale, and 11 females was classified in stages I–II by the Ludwig scale. Twenty patients (10 females and 10 males) were analyzed after their screening (the exclusion and inclusion criteria evaluation). The HR-G assessment was evaluated with photography, as well as the physician’s and patient’s global assessment scales, in addition to standardized phototrichograms, during a short follow-up at T0-baseline, T1-16 weeks. Encouraging results represented by a hair density increase of 12 ± 2 hairs/cm2 at T1 after 16 weeks (16 weeks vs. 0 weeks) in the targeted area, compared with the baseline results (59 ± 2 hairs/cm2 at T1 versus 47 ± 2 hairs/cm2 at baseline), were observed using computerized trichograms with a statistically significant difference in hair re-growth (p = 0.0238). The effectiveness of MND with LLLT use has been demonstrated in mild to moderate AGA patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hair Science)
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15 pages, 3583 KiB  
Article
Proteins as Hair Styling Agents
by Ana Tinoco, André F. Costa, Salomé Luís, Madalena Martins, Artur Cavaco-Paulo and Artur Ribeiro
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 4245; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11094245 - 7 May 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4899
Abstract
The perming of hair is a common styling procedure with negative impact on the overall properties of the hair fibers. Usually, this process uses harsh chemicals to promote the disruption of disulfide bonds and the formation of new bonds to change the shape [...] Read more.
The perming of hair is a common styling procedure with negative impact on the overall properties of the hair fibers. Usually, this process uses harsh chemicals to promote the disruption of disulfide bonds and the formation of new bonds to change the shape of hair. Here, we explored bovine serum albumin (BSA), silk fibroin (SF), keratin and two fusion recombinant proteins (KP-UM and KP-Cryst) as new perming agents. A phosphate buffer prepared at different pH values (5, 7 and 9) was used to apply the proteins to virgin Asian hair, and a hot BaByliss was used to curl the hair fibers. To assess the potential of the protein formulations for hair styling, the perming efficiency and the perming resistance to wash were measured. Furthermore, the fiber water content was evaluated to assess if the proteins protected the hair during the styling process. Despite all of the proteins being able to assist in the curling of Asian hair, the best perming efficiency and perming resistance to wash results were observed for BSA and keratin. These proteins showed perming efficiency values close to that measured for a commercial perming product (chemical method), particularly at pH 5 and 9. The increase in the hair’s internal and external water contents revealed a protective effect provided by the proteins during the application of heat in the styling procedure. This study shows the potential of proteins to be used in the development of new eco-friendly hair styling products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hair Science)
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17 pages, 24428 KiB  
Article
Global Repigmentation Strategy of Grey Hair Follicles by Targeting Oxidative Stress and Stem Cells Protection
by Morgane De Tollenaere, Emilie Chapuis, Pascale Auriol, Daniel Auriol, Amandine Scandolera and Romain Reynaud
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1533; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041533 - 8 Feb 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 15620
Abstract
One of the most visible signs of hair ageing is greying of the hair, also known as canities. This hair disorder is mainly caused by oxidative stress. In preliminary work, we designed various models mimicking the impact of oxidative stress on hair pigmentation, [...] Read more.
One of the most visible signs of hair ageing is greying of the hair, also known as canities. This hair disorder is mainly caused by oxidative stress. In preliminary work, we designed various models mimicking the impact of oxidative stress on hair pigmentation, showing an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and a decrease in the presence of melanocytes and melanoblasts, resulting in a decrease in hair pigmentation. A proteomic study on skin scalp explants was performed to identify the dysregulated biological pathways related to canities. We developed a smart active ingredient which has been tested on these biological pathways. We demonstrated that these negative effects were rectified in the presence of the ingredient, showing a reduction of ROS, protection of melanocyte reservoirs and reactivation of hair pigmentation. Finally, a clinical study was carried out on a panel of 44 male volunteers with grey hair. After 4 months, we evidenced a reduction in the proportion of grey hair and in the number of grey hairs/cm2 relative to Day 0. In conclusion, we clearly evidenced that oxidative stress is a key factor in triggering a cascade of events leading to a loss of hair pigmentation. We developed this active ingredient which is capable of restoring all the disrupted mechanisms and of providing hair repigmentation within only 4 months. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hair Science)
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Review

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12 pages, 549 KiB  
Review
What Can Complex Dietary Supplements Do for Hair Loss and How Can It Be Validly Measured—A Review
by Nicole Braun and Ulrike Heinrich
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(14), 4996; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10144996 - 21 Jul 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 13904
Abstract
Hair plays a major role in perception within a society. It provides information about gender, age, health, and social status. It is therefore not surprising that those affected are exposed to great suffering due to the widespread occurrence of hair loss. As a [...] Read more.
Hair plays a major role in perception within a society. It provides information about gender, age, health, and social status. It is therefore not surprising that those affected are exposed to great suffering due to the widespread occurrence of hair loss. As a result, the demand for new products to remedy this problem is not diminishing. Hair grows in cycles, and a hair follicle goes through several phases called the hair cycle. The active growth phase (anagen phase) lasts 2–6 years. In this state a hair follicle shows a growth of about 1 cm per month. In order to improve the existing hair status, hair should be kept in the active anagen phase as long as possible, or the transition to anagen should be stimulated. A number of reviews already describe the influence of individual active ingredients on hair growth. However, the following review describes existing studies of complex dietary supplements with their experimental weaknesses and strengths and their influence on hair loss. Also, for the determination of hair loss, it is important to use a valid method with high acceptance by the test persons. In this context, the TrichoScale® is a validated and non-invasive tool for quantifying hair loss/hair growth. Thus, it is an ideal measuring instrument to objectively quantify the effectiveness of a hair loss treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hair Science)
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