Hair Samples Research Articles

Preliminary Study on the Measurement of Cadmium Levels in Scavenger Hair at Sukawinatan Landfill Palembang

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal with the potential to contaminate the environment, particularly in landfill sites using open dumping systems, such as the Sukawinatan Landfill in Palembang. This study aims to measure Cd levels in scavengers’ hair as an indicator of heavy metal exposure. A cross-sectional study design was conducted in January 2024, with hair samples collected from five respondents using purposive sampling techniques. Cd levels were measured using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) method. The results showed that Cd levels in the scavengers' hair ranged from 0.31 to 0.99 ppm, exceeding the normal limit set which is <0.10 ppm. The duration of work as a scavenger was identified as the dominant factor influencing Cd levels, although anomalies were observed in younger scavengers with high exposure intensity. These findings suggest that the working environment at the landfill significantly contributes to the accumulation of Cd in the body. This study provides preliminary insights into the health risks faced by scavengers at the Sukawinatan Landfill, which can serve as a basis for developing policies and mitigation measures to improve scavengers' occupational health and safety.

The Green Heart Project: Objectives, Design, and Methods.

The Green Heart Project is a controlled, community-based clinical trial to evaluate the effects of increasing greenery on community health. The study was initiated in 2018 in a low-to-middle-income residential area of nearly 30,000 racially diverse residents in Louisville, KY. Community engagement was maintained throughout the project, with feedback integrated into its design and implementation. Based on land use, demographics, and greenness in the area, we designated 8 paired clusters of demographically- and environmentally matched "target" (T) and adjacent "control" (C) areas (total of 16 clusters). Levels of ultrafine particles, ozone, and nitrogen oxides were measured in each cluster. In-person exams were conducted for 735 participants in Wave 1 (2018-2019) and 545 participants in Wave 2 (2021). Blood, urine, nail, and hair samples were collected to evaluate cardiovascular risk, inflammation, stress, and pollutant exposure. Demographic and psychosocial data were collected as well. Cardiovascular function was assessed by measuring arterial stiffness and flow-mediated dilation. After Wave 2, more than 8,000 mature, mostly evergreen, trees and shrubs were planted in the T clusters. Post planting data were collected during Wave 3 (2022) from 561 participants. We plan to follow changes in area characteristics and participant health to evaluate the long-term impact of the greening intervention.

Case Report: A case study of positive doping control by animal-to-human drug transfer after an athlete administered medicine in spray format, containing clostebol acetate, to a pet dog

The presence of a doping substance in an athlete's biological sample may not be only related to intentional pharmacological support. The unintended use of a prohibited substance may be due various reasons. This paper describes the case of a Polish canoeist preparing for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris who presented a positive doping test result, as a consequence of administering medication to her injured dog. The athlete used a Trofodermin cutaneous spray (containing clostebol acetate) for pet treatment, which resulted in human transfer during close contact and subsequent detection by doping authorities. To bolster the athlete's defense, it was essential to substantiate the scenario of an unconscious violation of anti-doping rules with scientific evidence. Hence, the decision was made to analyze and compare samples of the athlete's hair and her dog's fur. This investigation confirmed that clostebol absorption occurred through the skin of the hands, transfer during sleeping with the dog on the same bedding and/or inhalation (during the application of the medication, which was dispensed to the animal's paws). This defense was accepted by the Court of Arbitration for the Sport Anti-Doping Division, which subsequently found that the athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation, but under circumstances that amounted to a “no fault” scenario.

Prevalence of new psychoactive substances and drugs of abuse in the hair of individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder: Polydrug and emerging pattern of consumption.

People diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) might represent a high-risk subpopulation for New Psychoactive Drugs (NPS) consumption, and hair analysis offers a unique perspective to assess drug prevalence in this population. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of NPS and their co-consumption with traditional drugs of abuse (DoA) in individuals diagnosed with SUD. Hair samples from patients under care at the addiction treatment service of Bologna, Italy, for a diagnosed SUD, were collected during 2023 and analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), using a previously validated method. Among the 88 patients included, 95.5% tested positive for at least one substance, of which 88.1% for traditional DoA only, and 11.9% for NPS in addition to DoA. Among the positive samples, patients were found positive for more than two drugs in 67.9% of cases. The combination of DoA and NPS was more frequent in the younger age group (<21-30 years old, compared to 31-70, p = 0.025). Ketamine was detected in 8.0% of all samples, with mean hair levels 49.68 pg/mg (ranging 8.55-81.90 pg/mg) and was frequently accompanied by cocaine (85.7% of cases). Fentanyl was detected in 3.4% of all samples, while, among NPS, buphedrone was the only one detected. Our retrospective study highlights that the consumption of NPS is relatively low compared to other vulnerable or high-risk populations. However, the prevalence of polydrug consumption and the high rate of ketamine-cocaine combination warrant careful monitoring even in this population.

Detection of Over 110 Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids, Corticosteroids and/or Their Esters in Horse Hair Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry After Solid-Supported Liquid Extraction.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are banned substances in both human and equine sports. They are often administered intramuscularly to horses in esterified forms for the purpose of extending their duration of action. As such, the detection of intact esters of endogenous steroids in hair is particularly advantageous, as it can provide unequivocal proof of their external origin. Compared with urine and blood matrices, hair in general allows a longer detection window as long as the administered drug can be incorporated into hair and has not degraded. This can be useful in doping control of equine sports, where the timing of sample collection may be critical due to the transient nature of AAS in other biological fluids. This paper describes the detection of AAS and/or their esters, as well as corticosteroids, in horse hair using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) after solid-supported liquid extraction (SLE) at basic pH. The developed UPLC-HRMS and GC-MS/MS methods in combination allowed the detection of 117 AAS, corticosteroids and/or their esters with estimated limits of detection down to sub-ppb levels and with good inter-day precision. Method applicability has been demonstrated through the detections of (i) boldenone undecylenate, nandrolone phenylpropionate and trenbolone acetate in three proficiency testing hair samples and (ii) nandrolone as a metabolite in a post-administration hair sample collected from a castrated horse having been administered nandrolone decanoate.

A 7-year study of workplace drug testing in two major cities in Türkiye

Background Workplace Drug Testing (WDT) is a worldwide practice that is crucial in anti-drug efforts. This study aimed to provide compherensive information about the WDT applications in Türkiye with data obtained from two major cities in two different regions of Türkiye. Methods The retrospective assessment of forensic toxicological analysis results in urine, hair or urine&hair samples collected from 220 WDT cases in İzmir (3rd largest city) and Adana (5th largest city) from 2016 to 2022 years was carried. The screening and confirmation analysis were performed with immunoassay and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), respectively. Results Cases with a positive result from one of urine or hair tests were accepted as positive. 20.5% (n = 45) of the cases were detected positive, and most applicants were identified as drivers (84.4%, n = 38). Urine samples of 23.5% (n = 52) were screened by immunoassay, and THC (n = 1) and opiate (n = 1) were detected. In the LC-MS/MS analysis, benzodiazepines were detected most in urine as a single substance, while cannabinoids and codeine were detected in the hair. Multidrug combinations used in treatment were detected in urine and hair. It was detected both alone and among the substances accompanying cannabinoids and amphetamines. Conclusions This study presents 7-year WDT results of two different major cities in Türkiye. The method of WDT application differs across the country so a standard procedure should be performed. In our country, where zero tolerance against substance use is adopted, the detection of illegal and controlled substances in cases clearly shows that WDT practice should be routinized.

Genetic Analysis of the Brown Bear Sub-Population in the Pindos Mountain, Central Greece: Insights into Population Status and Conservation

Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat to the existence and reproduction of large carnivores, such as brown bears, as it affects the genetic connectivity of populations and, consequently, their long-term viability. Understanding the genetic makeup and dispersal patterns in areas where brown bears live is crucial for developing effective conservation plans and promoting human-brown bear coexistence. In this study, 214 hair samples were collected non-invasively from brown bears and were genetically analyzed using fifteen specific microsatellite loci to shed light on the genetic status and demography of a sub-population residing in Central Greece (Trikala-Meteora area). The broader Central and South Pindos regions have not been studied for over a decade; however, high levels of genetic diversity, a lack of heterozygosity deficiency, and no signs of inbreeding, along with an estimated effective population size (Ne = 99), confirm the good conservation status of this sub-population. Moreover, the existence of a natural and apparently functional corridor in Central Pindos was demonstrated by bear movements between the western and eastern parts of the project area, enhancing the sustainability of the population. These findings will contribute to future efforts to conserve natural corridors that enable functional connectivity among large areas of brown bear territories in Greece.

Hair cortisol concentration, a stress biomarker, is gradually increasing before an acute myocardial infarction

Background Chronic stress is believed to play a role in the pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Cortisol is a biomarker associated with stress. We sought to assess stress contribution to AMI using hair cortisol concentration (HCCs) as a surrogate biomarker. Methods HCC was measured in hair segments, corresponding to distinctive periods before hair sampling, in 102 male AMI patients and 50 healthy male controls. Standard baseline variables were collected for both groups, whereas for AMI patients, laboratory and psychological tests were also carried out. Linear mixed models were applied to assess the effect of group and baseline variables on the trend of cortisol before hair sampling. Results HCC was significantly higher in AMI patients the last 30 days before hair sampling with an overall higher rate of increase (time-group interaction P &lt; 0.001). AMI patients with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 had a slower rate of increase compared with those with BMI &lt;25 kg/m2 (adjusted P = 0.008). Among AMI patients, there was no difference in the rate of cortisol increase between STEMI and NSTEMI patients (time-group interaction P = 0.841). Lower BMI conferred higher rates of cortisol increase irrespectively of AMI type. Conclusion HCC, a biomarker of stress, showed an increasing trend over a period of 2 months before the occurrence of AMI suggesting a potential role of stress, through cortisol secretion, in the pathophysiology of AMI.

Dyadic Comparison of Pain and Stress in Alzheimer's Disease and Caregivers

BackgroundMillions of people live with dementia worldwide, relying heavily on family caregivers. Pain is common in both people living with Alzheimer's disease (PLWAD) and their caregivers, contributing to stress and burden. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationship between pain, stress, hair cortisol, and mental health in PLWAD and their caregivers, and how these factors are linked to caregiver burden. MethodsThis exploratory pilot study included five PLWAD-caregiver dyads. Participants completed questionnaires on pain, mental health, and demographics. Hair samples were collected for cortisol analysis. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were used to assess relationships between various factors of the PLWAD and their caregiver. ResultsContrary to expectations, PLWAD's pain and mental health measures displayed a trend of negative correlation with their hair cortisol levels (HCC). Conversely, caregiver pain and mental health measures had a trend of positive correlation with their HCC. There was also a trend that higher pain in PLWAD was associated with higher caregiver burden. ConclusionThis exploratory pilot study found associational trends suggesting a complex relationship between pain, mental health, and stress in PLWAD-caregiver dyads. This preliminary work will inform future studies which can help advance targeted, tailored interventions.

Maternal hair lead and cytokine pro-inflammatory effects in preterm birth

This case-control study analyzed the lead (Pb), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels in pregnant women with preterm birth (PTB) in Central Java, Indonesia. Hair samples from 72 pregnant women were collected non-invasively. The prenatal exposure to Pb was determined with the total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) method. Serum IL-6 and TNF-α were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The Pb concentration in hair was slightly higher in women with PTB than those without PTB; however, this difference was not statistically significant. An elevated hair Pb level was not associated with increased PTB risk (OR 24.69, 95% CI 0.93–653.82, p&amp;gt;0.05). A serum TNF-α level ≥27 pg/ml, a serum IL-6 level ≥9 pg/ml, and the spouse’s smoking frequency were significantly associated with increased PTB risk (TNF-α OR 42.25, 95% CI 5.26–339.61; IL-6 OR 22.33, 95% CI 3.12–158.54; spouse’s smoking frequency OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.09–1.5), while the maternal hemoglobin concentration significantly decreased PTB risk (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.2–0.927). This study demonstrates that maternal hair Pb concentration has no significant relationship with PTB. Serum TNF-α, IL-6, and the spouse’s smoking frequency potentially increased PTB risk, while the maternal hemoglobin level is a protective factor.

Impacts of Peer Support on Coping and Cortisol Levels for Women Affected by Domestic Violence and Coercive Control.

Gendered domestic violence and coercive control are prevalent public heath concerns in Canada with dire consequences for survivors. Peer support groups may address and reduce negative impacts of domestic violence and coercive control on women's stress, coping, safety, and alliances with social support network members, the focus of this study. A one-group, pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of Growth Circle, a 14-week peer support program offered at an agency serving women affected by domestic violence in a major western Canadian city. Through convenience sampling, women 18 years and older who experienced domestic violence were recruited and provided data on stress, coping, safety-related empowerment, and social support/alliances. Thirty-five participants provided all pre-test and post-test data, with a subsample of 14 providing repeated hair samples. Hair was employed to determine stress hormone (cortisol) levels. A significant reduction in self-reported levels of perceived stress and stress hormone levels following completion of the Growth Circle program was revealed. Participants also reported a significant increase in safety-related empowerment, and supportive alliances with group members. The Growth Circle peer support program was demonstrated to be effective. Further implementation and research into the Growth Circle program across Canada is recommended.

Fatigue failure testing of human hair: Weibull-analysis for constant strain experiments

Fatigue failure testing of materials is an important aspect of assessing their strength and resilience under long-term, oscillatory stresses and/or strains. This also applies to human hair. For this investigation, we decided to complement existing experience on cyclic tests at various levels of constant stress with those at various constant strains (4–30%). For the description and analysis of the data sets, we opted for a non-linear fit of the cumulative two-parameter Weibull distribution (CWD) to the survival data. This gives direct access to the numerical values of the parameters as well as to their standard errors (SE), as measures of precision. As relevant parameters, we identified the lifetime index ln(α) and the shape factor β. All fits showed very high coefficients of determination and normally distributed residuals. Accordingly, precision of the parameter values is very high. It only starts to drop for high constant strains, when significant grouping of data starts to occur. ln(α) drops and β increases both exponentially with strain. β exceeds the value of unity (β ≥ 1) at a strain of 4.3%, indicating a fundamental change of failure mode. The cross-over of the theoretical curves for ln(α) and β occurs around 45% strain, which coincides with the break strain for conventional tensile testing. This agreement supports the validity of our approach and suggests a more than just empirical nature of the CWD-function for modelling the fatigue failure data of human hair.

Possible sleep bruxism and hair cortisol in children: A birth cohort study.

This study aimed to test for an association between hair cortisol, as an indicator of chronic stress, and possible sleep bruxism among children participating in the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study. Data from 3229 children were analysed. Possible sleep bruxism was identified based on caregivers' reports when the child was 4 years old. Trained fieldworkers collected hair samples from children, and a standardized protocol was used for hormone extraction and cortisol quantification from the hair. Information on socioeconomic, demographic, psychological and behavioural characteristics was gathered through questionnaires. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to evaluate the impact of hair cortisol concentration on the occurrence of possible sleep bruxism, guided by a directed acyclic graph. The prevalence of possible sleep bruxism was 21.46% (n = 693); median hair cortisol concentration was 7.8 pg mg-1. Hair cortisol concentration was not found to be associated with the occurrence of sleep bruxism. However, the presence of sleep bruxism was linked to higher maternal education (p = 0.027), maternal stress level (p = 0.032), excessive use of electronic devices (p = 0.007), and child emotional and behavioural problems (p = 0.003). Furthermore, female sex was associated with a lower frequency of possible sleep bruxism (p = 0.003). There was no association between chronic stress, as measured by hair cortisol concentration, and the occurrence of possible sleep bruxism. This study underscores the role of sociodemographic factors and children's mental health in the occurrence of sleep bruxism among children in this population.

Cardiovascular risk factors in relation to hair polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the NESCAV study

Previous studies have found associations between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cardiovascular risk factors. However, the internal dose of PAH exposure was often examined by quantifying monohydroxylated metabolites of PAHs (OH-PAHs) in urine, which can only reflect recent exposure. On the other hand, hair covers wider temporal windows than urine and has been demonstrated to be a suitable matrix for PAH exposure assessment. Using hair analysis, here we investigated the associations between PAH exposure and obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in a cross-sectional study of adults aged 18–69 years and enrolled in the Nutrition, Environment and Cardiovascular Health (NESCAV) survey conducted in 2007–2009 in Luxembourg. In addition, we also examined hair cotinine and nicotine because they are well-established biomarkers of tobacco smoke exposure. Associations were explored separately for men (n = 265) and women (n = 347) by logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders. We found positive associations of OH-PAHs with diabetes in both men and women, positive and inverse associations with obesity and positive associations with hypertension/elevated blood pressure and dyslipidemia/elevated triglycerides (TG) in men, and inverse associations with hypertension but positive associations with MetS, elevated waist circumference and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in women. These results may suggest that men and women differ in cardiometabolic responses to environmental PAH exposure. As regards hair cotinine and nicotine, they were associated with diabetes/elevated fasting plasma glucose, elevated blood pressure, and dyslipidemia/elevated TG/reduced HDL-C in men and women. Our results suggest that exposure to PAHs and tobacco smoke may be associated with cardiometabolic health risk. Future prospective studies are warranted to corroborate these findings.

Lateral flow immunoassay based on aggregation induced emission nanobeads for the sensitive and accurate detection of chloramphenicol in pig hair

Chloramphenicol (CAP) is a once widely used antibiotic, which is able to cause great harm to human health, is banned in some countries or organizations such as China, USA and the European Union for animal breeding. Because CAP in pig hair degraded slower and had amount of residues, pig hair could be used as the target to detect CAP residues. In this study, a competitive lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), whose label was aggregation induced emission fluorescent nanobeads (AIEFN), was firstly developed for the detection of CAP in pig hair samples. It exhibited a low limit of detection (0.001 μg/kg) and a broad linear range (0.0025–0.32 μg/kg). The recovery rate and coefficient variation with spiked pig hair samples were 88.50%–106.17 % and 1.01%–7.37 %, which indicated good accuracy of this assay. The result of AIEFN-LFIA for the detection of CAP in pig hair was consistent with that of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. This assay was rapid with the total detection duration of about 20 min. AIEFN-LFIA was able to be used for rapid, sensitive, accurate and convenient detection of CAP residues in pig hair samples.

Assessing Antiparasitic Compounds Persistence in Cattle Hair by DART-MS.

This study introduces an alternative strategy for evaluating antiparasitic persistence compounds in cattle hair by Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS). The developed DART-MS method aimed to determine fenthion, chlorpyrifos, and cypermethrin in cattle hair samples. DART-MS analyses were performed in positive ion mode, and parameters related to the DART source were evaluated. The analytical performance demonstrated the efficiency of the optimized DART-MS method for fenthion, chlorpyrifos, and cypermethrin quantification in the evaluated samples, meeting criteria for precision, accuracy and limits of detection. Overall, the DART-MS method provided a fast and efficient analysis for determination of antiparasitic agents in cattle hair, which contributes to the evaluation of drug administration protocols and dosage intervals, and aids the safety and advancement of the livestock sector.

The role of prenatal perceived stress and hair cortisol as they relate to toddler socioemotional outcomes over the first three years

Prenatal maternal psychological distress and physiological stress (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal [HPA] activity) can negative impact early child development. Research rarely examines the combined or interactive role of prenatal perceived stress and HPA activity on child outcomes. The current longitudinal study examined how prenatal distress and HPA activity impacted child socioemotional functioning from age 1–3. This sample (n=148) was followed from pregnancy, 15-, 24- and 35-months postpartum. During pregnancy, mothers reported their levels of perceived stress and hair samples were collected, reflecting cortisol secretion in the past 3 months. At each postpartum timepoint, mothers reported toddler socioemotional functioning using the Brief Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment. Multivariate regression results indicated that higher maternal perceived stress interacted with higher hair cortisol levels in association with greater socioemotional problems at 15 and 24 months. In addition, there was a main effect of higher prenatal perceived stress in relation to greater socioemotional problems at 36 months. Exploratory sex-specific moderation analyses indicated that sex interacted with hair cortisol, such that higher levels of prenatal cortisol were associated greater behaviour problems and lower socioemotional competence for females compared to males at 24-months. Findings indicated the importance of examining both physiological stress and psychological stress in pregnancy, as they interact to impact child socioemotional development. Findings also highlight sex-specific prenatal effects.

Rapid Determination of Toxic Trace Metals As, Hg, Tl, and Pb in Hair by Monochromatic Excitation X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry.

Monochromatic excitation X-ray fluorescence (ME-XRF) spectrometry emerges as a novel technique in trace element analysis, distinguished by its simplicity, rapidity, and efficiency. Its application in forensic toxicology has grown significantly for identifying toxic trace metals in biological samples. This study further expands its utility by developing a method for the rapid determination of arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), thallium (Tl), and lead (Pb) in hair samples. Calibration curves were established using analytical reference samples, and optimal detection conditions were determined and validated. The LODs for As, Hg, Tl, and Pb were 0.03, 0.03, 0.03, and 0.05μgg-1, respectively. Method precision was evaluated through seven parallel analyses of samples within the concentration range of 0.27 to 20.051μgg⁻1, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) consistently below 10%. The feasibility of the ME-XRF technique for forensic toxicology analysis was validated through the analysis of authentic poisoned hair samples collected from the animal experiment.

The Effects of Single Testosterone Administration and Stress Induction on Steroid Hormone Levels in Hair

Hair steroid analysis is increasingly recognized for its ability to capture cumulative hormone secretion, thought to reflect an individual’s response to long-term environmental conditions. Despite its growing use, the influence of single, isolated events on hair steroid concentrations remains underexplored. Our study therefore examined the effects of a single-dose transdermal testosterone administration (150mg) and acute laboratory stress induction on hair testosterone and cortisol levels in a randomized, between-subject, placebo-controlled, and double-blind design. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed a significant increase in hair testosterone levels seven weeks post-testosterone administration, underscoring the efficacy of hair analysis in detecting single-use hormone intake. Moreover, we observed a significant elevation in hair cortisol levels seven weeks post-exposure to the laboratory somatic stressor (Cold pressor test), highlighting the efficacy of hair analysis in capturing experimentally induced hormonal responses. The exploration of contextual factors revealed that individuals in committed relationships exhibited lower levels of both hair cortisol and testosterone compared to those who were single or in uncommitted relationships.Our study provides new insights into the sensitivity of hair analysis for detecting hormonal changes following single-dose hormone administration and experimentally induced short-term stress events. The exploratory findings emphasize the importance of individual contextual factors in influencing hair hormone concentrations and lay the groundwork for further investigation into the dynamics of cumulative hair hormone measurements.

Analysis of hair styling wax residues on human hair: A forensic investigation with ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and chemometric interpretation

A comparative analysis of hair evidence recovered from the crime scene and the hair of suspects or victims is common in the forensic scenario. However, its evidentiary value increases with cosmetic applications like gel, wax, spray, or other hair treatments. Therefore, after extracting these products from hair strands, they can link the victim and accused to the crime scene and with each other, serving as corroborative evidence. Hair styling wax is one of the daily-wear hair cosmetic products used to manage hairstyles to provide stiffness to the hair strands and offer a high-setting performance. In this work, 19 different brands of hair styling waxes were analyzed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics (principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis). The results showed 96.49% PCA-LDA training and 94.73% validation accuracies. A blind test was also performed to test the built model's reliability, which showed 100% accuracy. Furthermore, a wearing effect study was conducted using human hair samples with hair styling wax where the wax residues were extracted with acetone which showed 100% matching when visually comparing the spectra of pristine wax samples and wax residues from hair samples. PCA-LDA prediction of the spectra obtained from wax residues from hair samples was also done which showed 87.5% accuracy. This research presents a rapid and non-destructive method of analyzing hair styling wax products, which may act as corroborative evidence to help criminal investigating agencies.