Luminescence and other photoprocesses in hair follicles in the disorder Trichostasis spinulosa.

The results of laser-luminescence studies of the contents of follicular plugs formed in human facial skin with Trichostasis spinulosa are presented. We obtained information on the spectral and temporal characteristics of luminescence, as well as on the relationships between various spectral components with the molecules of substances responsible for luminescence in follicular tissue. It has been shown that the main fluorophores in the vellus hairs contained in the follicular plugs are protoporphyrin IX and Zn-protoporphyrin molecules, luminescing in the red part of the spectrum, and, most likely, keratin, responsible for green luminescence, when excited by violet radiation. The mechanisms of photophysical and photochemical transformation of luminescent centers were elucidated. Gradient luminescent coloration of vellus hair is recorded for the first time, and the mechanism of its formation is elucidated. An unusual phenomenon of increasing luminescence brightness of creatine in vellus hair with decreasing concentration of luminescent molecules caused by their photodestruction is observed for the first time, and its mechanism is established. The structure of vellus hair is also studied. The studies were conducted using confocal scanning luminescence microspectroscopy combined with time-correlated photon counting. In addition, original photoprocess research methods were employed, combining experimental data analysis with physical and mathematical modeling. The results obtained have scientific significance for the spectroscopy and photochemistry of biological objects. The simple, rapid luminescent diagnostic method for Trichostasis spinulosa, substantiated in this study, may have practical applications.