A. Kelch et al., Penetration pathways of fluorescent dyes in human hair fibres investigatedby scanning near-field optical microscopy, J MICROSC O, 200, 2000, pp. 179-186
Thin cross-sections of human hairs were investigated by scanning near-field
optical microscopy (SNOM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) af
ter penetration of a fluorescent dye. The same samples were measured with b
oth techniques to compare the observed structures. The images obtained from
the two methods show nearly identical structures representing pathways of
the dye molecules in hairs. The SNOM images provide a higher resolution tha
n the CLSM images. Therefore, SNOM is believed to be a suitable method for
investigations at a resolution of 100 nm on penetration pathways of fluores
cent dyes such as the cell membrane complex pathway in cross-sections of ha
irs.