Abstract
The effectiveness of XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure) profile for mapping of a specific chemical bond or molecules containing the bond has been demonstrated for biological specimens. In the present study, we have applied the XANES measurement system to human hair. The fine chemical maps of cystine and cysteic acid were obtained in combination with a high resolution soft X-ray microscopy system. The results showed that oxidation treatments, such as permanent waving and bleaching, to hair reflected the increase of cysteic acid. The spectromicroscopy system, which consists of X-ray microscopy coupled with XANES measurement, seems to be useful for hair care research to identify the area of oxidative damage.
