Changing human hair fibre colour and shape from the follicle

Teresa Matamá, Cristiana Costa, Bruno Fernandes, Rita Araújo, Célia F. Cruz, Francisco Tortosa, Caroline J. Sheeba, Jörg D. Becker, Andreia Gomes, Artur Cavaco-Paulo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: Natural hair curvature and colour are genetically determined human traits, that we intentionally change by applying thermal and chemical treatments to the fibre. Presently, those cosmetic methodologies act externally and their recurrent use is quite detrimental to hair fibre quality and even to our health. Objectives: This work represents a disruptive concept to modify natural hair colour and curvature. We aim to model the fibre phenotype as it is actively produced in the follicle through the topical delivery of specific bioactive molecules to the scalp. Methods: Transcriptome differences between curly and straight hairs were identified by microarray. In scalp samples, the most variable transcripts were mapped by in situ hybridization. Then, by using appropriate cellular models, we screened a chemical library of 1200 generic drugs, searching for molecules that could lead to changes in either fibre colour or curvature. A pilot-scale, single-centre, investigator-initiated, prospective, blind, bilateral (split-scalp) placebo-controlled clinical study with the intervention of cosmetics was conducted to obtain a proof of concept (RNEC n.92938). Results: We found 85 genes transcribed significantly different between curly and straight hair, not previously associated with this human trait. Next, we mapped some of the most variable genes to the inner root sheath of follicles, reinforcing the role of this cell layer in fibre shape moulding. From the drug library screening, we selected 3 and 4 hits as modulators of melanin synthesis and gene transcription, respectively, to be further tested in 33 volunteers. The intentional specific hair change occurred: 8 of 14 volunteers exhibited colour changes, and 16 of 19 volunteers presented curvature modifications, by the end of the study. Conclusion: The promising results obtained are the first step towards future cosmetics, complementary or alternative to current methodologies, taking hair styling to a new level: changing hair from the inside out.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)45-65
Number of pages21
JournalJournal of Advanced Research
Volume64
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Corneocytes
  • Cosmeceuticals
  • Drug repurposing
  • Melanocytes
  • Melanogenesis
  • Terminal differentiation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Changing human hair fibre colour and shape from the follicle'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this