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STUDIES ON THE QUANTITY AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SURFACE LIPIDS OF HUMAN SCALP AND HAIR
Author(s) -
Okamoto Kikuhiko
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1346-8138.1980.tb01950.x
Subject(s) - chemistry , chromatography , scalp , thin layer chromatography , acetone , composition (language) , hydrolysis , chemical composition , volume (thermodynamics) , glyceride , blood lipids , biochemistry , cholesterol , fatty acid , organic chemistry , biology , anatomy , linguistics , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics
The quantity and chemical composition of the surface lipids of the normal female scalp and hair were studied. Testing materials were obtained from 64 normal females as experimental objects. Lipids were extracted with acetone‐ether for quantity measurement using the weight method and thin‐layer chromatographic analysis, and for chemical composition using both thin‐layer chromatographic analysis and a mass spectrometer linked directly with gas chromatography (gas‐mass method). Quantities and compositions of surface lipids of the scalp fluctuated in accordance with the methods adopted to cleanse the hair and the volume of cleansing agents used. Twenty four hours after cleansing the scalp and removal of surface lipids, it was observed that the volume of lipids had been restored to pre‐cleansing levels. These restored lipids had been significantly hydrolysed after 24 hours, to the point where lipase should seemingly affect them. The level of free fatty acids corresponded to the quantity of total lipids and exceeded the level of triglycerides after 24–48 hours, when the quantity of restored lipids had increased and hydrolysed. Some of those sampled complained of scalp itchiness. The volume of scalp surface lipids is obviously affected by seasonal factors related to conditions of cleansing constancy; i. e. , it was greatest in May and least in July. Most of the hair's surface lipids have been transferred there after first appearing on the surface of the scalp and being hydrolysed, while smaller quantities of these lipids are transferred directly from sebaceous glands to the hair.