Scanning Electron Microscope Evaluation of Hair Dye Effects on the Cuticle Cells of Canine Hair

Skin and hair are exposed to environmental factors such as pollutants sun & water(Garcia et al 1978). Hair care products are designed to reduce the damage of environmental influences and for cosmetic reasons. Hair dye products are brought into contact with the hair shaft and the scalp, and on occasions, may penetrate as deeply as the hair roots (Stuttgen 1981). Some of the constituents of hair dyes have been related to skin allergies, nervousness and toxicity (Stuttgen 1981). Only in recent years, in part due to the rising demands for scientific documentation of advertising claims has interest been focused on the development of reliable measurements for the safety of hair dye products. The hair cuticle cells are critical to the preservation of the physical integrity of the hair fibers of the cortex (Wolfram 1972). The scant and controversial information on the effects of hair dye products on the hair shaft and on the epidermis led to this investigation. This study, was conducted by the use of scanning electron microscopy, of mixed-breed dogs subjected to intensive usage of hair dye products reports the changes of the cuticle of the hair shaft and the epidermis.