[On the effect of colloid sulphur addition to shampoos on the pileous skin of the head (author's transl)].

A group of 16 male test persons was subjected to hair washes with a standard tenside solution over a period of 4 weeks at one-weekly intervals. 1.25% colloidal sulphur were added to the solution for the 3rd hair wash. From the 2nd week onwards quantitative lipid determinations were carried out on the 2nd and 5th day after washing. The samples from the 5th day were also analysed by thin-layer chromatography. We could not demonstrate any influence on the amount of lipid. There was, however, after the addition of sulphur a significant reduction in the free fatty acids to the advantage of the triglycerides. The addition of sulphur, therefore, brings about a decrease in the bacterial lipolysis of the triglycerides on the hair of the head. Apart from this, a significant increase in the free cholesterol and a significant decrease in the wax and cholesterol esters could be demonstrated after the application of sulphur. This could be possibly an expresion of the keratolytic effect of the sulphur.