Dyeing regions of oxidative hair dyes in human hair investigated by nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry

To develop more effective oxidative hair coloring products, it is important to understand the localization of colored chromophores, which are formed from oxidative dyes, in the fine structure of hair. However, the dyeing regions of oxidative hair dyes in the fine structure of hair have not been extensively examined.In this study, we investigated the distribution and localization of colored chromophores formed by an oxidative hair coloring product in the fine structure of human hair by using a stable isotope-labeled oxidative dye with nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS). First, formation of the colored chromophore from a deuterium-labeled oxidative dye was examined by visible spectra similarly to a study of its formation using nonlabeled oxidative dye. Furthermore, the formation of binuclear indo dye containing deuterium in its chemical structure was confirmed using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) analysis. As a result of the NanoSIMS image on a cross-sectional dyed hair, although deuterium ions were detected in whole hair cross-section, quite a few of them were detected at particulate regions. These particulate regions of the dyed black hair in which deuterium ions were intensely detected were identified as melanin granules, by comparing the dyeing behaviors of black and white hair. NanoSIMS analysis revealed that melanin granules of black human hair are important dyeing regions in oxidative hair coloring.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Color formation similar to nonlabeled dye is occurred using deuterium-labeled dye. ► A chromophore containing deuterium was formed from deuterium-labeled oxidative dye. ► Deuterium ions were intensely detected in particulate regions of dyed black hair. ► Particulate regions were identified as melanin granules. ► Melanin is an important dyeing region for oxidative coloring.