title: The ethnic differences of the damage of hair and integral hair lipid after ultra violet radiation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Genetic factors account for the majority of differences in skin color and hair morphology across human populations. Although many studies have been conducted to examine differences in skin color across populations, few studies have examined differences in hair morphology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate changing of integral hair lipids after ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in three human ethnic groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied the UV irradiation induced hair damage in hairs of three human populations. UV irradiation had been performed with self-manufactured phototherapy system. Damaged hair samples were prepared at 12 and 48 hours after UVA (20 J/sec) and UVB (8 J/sec) irradiation. We evaluated the changes of hair lipid using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), lipid TEM and HP-TLC. After UV irradiation, hair surface damage was shown.
  
  
  RESULTS
  African hair showed more severe damage on hair surface than others. The lipid compositions across human populations were similar, but Asian hair had more integral hair lipids than other groups as a whole. Especially, free fatty acid contents were higher than other lipids. After UV irradiation, lipid contents were decreased. These patterns were shown in all human populations. Asian hair has more integral hair lipid than European or African hair. After UV irradiation, European and African hair samples exhibited more damage because they have less integral hair lipids. However, Asian hair samples have less damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that integral hair lipid may protect the hair against the UV light.
authors: Department of Dermatology and Institute of Hair and Cosmetic Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
authors: Jae Hong
authors: JH
authors: Ji
authors: Tae-Sik
authors: TS
authors: Park
authors: Hae-Jin
authors: HJ
authors: Lee
authors: Yoon-Duk
authors: YD
authors: Kim
authors: Long-Quan
authors: LQ
authors: Pi
authors: Xin-Hai
authors: XH
authors: Jin
authors: Won-Soo
authors: WS
authors: Lee
keywords: Ethnic groups; Integral hair lipid; UV irradiation