Quantifying Whole Human Hair Scalp Fibres of Varying Curl: A Micro-Computed Tomographic Study

The study employed micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to examine the structural characteristics of human hair fibers with varying curl patterns from 3 participants of different ethnic backgrounds. It categorized hair into low, medium, and high curl types, revealing distinct structural differences. High curl (type VI) hair showed the most variability in cross-sectional dimensions and surface morphology, with more irregular cuticle scales and a consistent medulla structure. The study highlighted the complexity and variability in hair fiber geometry, emphasizing the potential of micro-CT for detailed hair morphology studies. However, due to the limited sample size, statistical comparisons across curl types were not possible, suggesting the need for larger studies to explore the relationship between hair descriptors and curl types.