Studies in Depilation IV. Structural Changes in the Wool Follicle During Depilation With Alkali and Alkaline Reducing Systems

Abstract

Structural changes in the wool follicle during depilation with sodium sulphide and with ammonia are described. Sodium sulphide exerts its principal action on the prekeratinous zone of the wool fibre, but also dissolves the lower part of the outer root sheath (ORS). The fibre breaks off in the prekeratinous zone and is easily removed with virtually no disturbance of the upper ORS or the epidermis, leaving a degraded bulb still in position. Ammonia solution (1M) causes a severe disruption of the cell structure of the ORS and some disorganization of the prekeratinous zone, but does not cause sufficient protein dissolution to permit depilation to go to completion.