News Release
March 13, 2015

Microlevel Visualization of Differences in Metal Distribution
in Grey Hair and Black Hair using SPring-8~ New Research into Grey Hair ~The Milbon Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Ryuji Sato) Central Research Institute has worked alongside
Assistant Professor Hidekazu Takano from the Graduate School of Material Science, University of Hyogo
to conduct an analysis of the metals contained in the grey hair and black hair obtained from the same
subjects (Japanese women). The results confirmed that there is a difference in the volume of metals
between grey hair and black hair. Furthermore, use of the Hyogo Beamline (BL24XU) located at theSPring-8 Synchrotron Radiation Facility＊1 allowed the differences in metal distribution in cross sections ofgrey hair and black hair to be visualized on the mircolevel for the first time ever.
The differences in the volumes and distribution of metal in grey hair and black hair is believed to have alarge effect on the properties of the hair, including the color reaction of hair color products. It is ourintention to reflect these findings in our hair color products being developed for future release. We haveannounced these research results externally as follows.
[External Release]
Released At: 6th Research Symposium of the Hair Scientists Association
Release Title: New Information Concerning Grey Hair and Black Hair
Released By: Yoichi Nagano
Release On: February 4, 2015
[Research Background]A variety of the metals that are found in hair are used as catalytic agents by hair color products in orderto create a bleaching or color reaction. While research into the metal found in hair has been reported
numerous times in the past, there has never been a detailed report into the grey hair and black hair ofJapanese women. This is what led Milbon to research the metals contained in the grey hair and black hairof Japanese women.
[Research Results]
Hair collected from a sample of around 20 Japanese women was divided into grey and black hairs, andthen tested. ICP-OES＊２ was used to perform a metal quantitative analysis, making it clear that Japanesewomen have less metal in their grey hair than in their black hair. Furthermore, use of the SPring-8
BL24XU microbeam XRF＊3 allowed the differences in metal distribution in grey hair and black hair to bevisualized on the mircolevel for the first time ever. We intend to conduct further research onto therelationship between these new findings and the chemical reactions of products such as hair color,seeking to link them into the development of better performing hair cosmetics in the future.
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<<Reference Materials>>AB

Higher Volume of Metal

金属量が多いCalcium (ug/per 1g of hair)

Grey Hair

Black Hair

Grey Hair

Black Hair

Fig.1 Quantitative results for calcium in grey hair and black hair (A) and calcium mapping of a cross section ofhair (B).
Grey hair has less calcium than black hair (A).
The white points of light are calcium. The more dense the white, the more calcium is present (B).

CD

Higher Volume of Metal

金属量が多いZinc (ug/per 1g of hair)

Grey Hair

Black Hair

Grey Hair

Black HairFig.2 Quantitative results for zinc in grey hair and black hair (C) and zinc mapping of a cross section of hair (D).
Grey hair has less zinc than black hair (C).
The white points of light are zinc. The more dense the white, the more zinc is present (D).

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Copper (ug/per 1g of hair)

金属量が多いHigher Volume of Metal

Grey Hair

Black Hair

Grey HairBlack Hair

Fig.3 Quantitative results for copper in grey hair and black hair (E) and copper mapping of a cross section ofhair (F).
Grey hair has less copper than black hair (E).
The white points of light are copper. The more dense the white, the more copper is present (F).

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<<Terminology>>*1 SPring-8 Synchrotron Radiation Facility
A Riken managed facility capable of producing the highest levels of synchrotron radiation in the world,
located in the Harima Science Park City, Hyogo Prefecture. There are only two other facilities in the sameclass anywhere in the world, one in America and one in Europe. The name SPring-8 is taken from the fullname of the facility, the Super Photon ring-8 GeV. Synchrotron radiation is the name given to the powerfulelectromagnetic waves generated when electrons are accelerated to almost the speed of light and then
their direction of travel is altered using magnets. At SPring-8, this synchrotron radiation is used in a wide
range of research, including nanotechnology, bio-technology and industrial use.
*2 ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry)A device that performs a quantitative analysis of metal elements. It is capable of performing asimultaneous analysis of multiple metal elements found in a sample solution. Used across a wide range offields, from cosmetics to food, medicine and semi-conductors.
*3 Microbeam XRF
A device that uses X-ray fluorescence from an X-ray emitter to allow for the visualization of trace metals
and an analysis of their state. This type of device is used for a variety of purposes, including the analysis
of natural materials and foreign bodies and the evaluation of materials.
■Inquiries relating to the press releasePublic Relations Unit, 2-3-35 Zengenji-cho, Miyakojima-ku, Osaka
Phone: +81-6-6928-2331, Fax: +81-6-6925-2301
Milbon Co., Ltd / Ryuji Sato, President & CEO; Head Office Miyakojima-ku, Osaka; Securities Code 4919, First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange-4-