Electron microscopic observations of human hair medulla.

In the study of human hair, medulla is the less studied structure because it is believed that it has no influence on the fibre properties. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the better understanding of medulla morphology. Using reproducible methods for hair samples preparations allowed observing the inner fibre by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Hair protein removal by sodium dodecyl sulfate.

The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on protein loss was studied. Three kinds of human hair were tested by rubbing or immersion in water or immersion in SDS solution, at 25, 40 and 70 degrees C. Under friction, hair treated with SDS solution loses seven times more protein than in water, while by immersion, protein loss is roughly two times higher in SDS than in water.