The manageability and feel of human hair is significantly affected by its surface charge. Understanding and developing ways to control charge build up is hence highly beneficial. Previous studies have looked at static charging characteristics of hair an a macroscale. In this study, static charging characteristics of hair are studied on the nanoscale with an AFM. Hair is charged by rubbing a control area on its Surface with an AFM. tip, to which a small voltage bias is applied. The resulting charge distribution is characterized by measuring the surface potential of the control area in situ with AFM based Kelvin probe microscopy. The rubbing load is progressively increased, and the effect of this increase on the charge build up is assessed. Virgin, damaged and conditioner treated hair samples are studied for a better understanding of charge build LIP and dissipation. Relevant mechanisms are discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.