Recent Advances in Hair Science

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

Manuscript Submission Information

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