Human hair growth

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For regrowth of hair and hair loss prevention, see management of hair loss.

The growth of human hair occurs everywhere on the body except for the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, the inside of the mouth, the lips, the backs of the ears, some external

telogen
. Each phase has specific characteristics that determine the length of the hair.

The body has different types of hair, including

androgenic hair, each with its own type of cellular construction. This varied construction gives the hair unique characteristics, serving specific purposes, mainly warmth (redundant in modern humans) and physical protection.[2]
Most humans develop the longest thickest hair on their scalps and (mostly observed in males) faces. This hair will usually grow to several feet before terminating, but many humans develop much longer hair.

Growth cycle

Hair-follicle cycling
Hair grows at different speeds and different lengths. Its composition causes different colors and textures, which influence how long the hair strands grow.
Marianne Ernst, a German "Long hair model".

The three stages of hair growth are the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases. Each strand of hair on the human body is at its own stage of development. Once the cycle is complete, it restarts and a new strand of hair begins to form. The growth rate of hair varies from individual to individual depending on their age, genetic predisposition and a number of environmental factors. It is commonly stated that hair grows about 1 cm per month on average; however reality is more complex, since not all hair grows at once. Scalp hair was reported to grow between 0.6 cm and 3.36 cm per month. The growth rate of scalp hair somewhat depends on age (hair tends to grow more slowly with age), sex, and ethnicity.[3] Thicker hair (>60 µm) grows generally faster (11.4 mm per month) than thinner (20–30 µm) hair (7.6 mm per month).[4]

It was previously thought that Caucasian hair grew faster than Asian hair and that women's grew faster than men's;

redhead has 90,000.[9] Hair growth stops at death; the illusion of growth after death is due to shrinkage of the skin by drying.[10]

Anagen phase

The anagen phase, known as the growth phase, is when the hair grows about 1 cm per month.

dermal
layer of the skin to nourish the strand. About 85%–90% of the hairs on one's head are in the anagen phase at any given time.

Catagen phase

The catagen phase, or the transitional phase, allows the follicle to renew itself (in a sense). During this time, which lasts about two weeks, the hair follicle shrinks due to disintegration and the papilla detaches and "rests," cutting the hair strand off from its nourishing blood supply. Signals sent out by the body (that only selectively affect 1 percent of all hair of one's body at any given time) determine the end of melanin production in the hair bulb and apoptosis of follicular melanocytes.[14] Ultimately, the follicle is 1/6 its original length, causing the hair shaft to be pushed upward.

Growth inhibitors and disorders

In most people, scalp hair growth will halt due to follicle devitalization after reaching a length of generally two or three feet. Exceptions to this rule can be observed in individuals with hair development abnormalities, which may cause an unusual length of hair growth.

better source needed
]

Chemotherapy

Most chemotherapy drugs work by attacking rapidly dividing cells. Rapid cell replication is one of the hallmarks of cancer; however, hair follicle cells also grow and divide quickly. Consequently, the chemotherapy drugs usually inhibit hair growth.[16] The dose and type of medicine will determine the severity of hair loss. Once the course of chemotherapy has ended, new hair growth may begin after three to 10 weeks.

Hair loss

Main article: Hair loss

telogen
, phase. The hair growth in the affected follicles is lessened or stopped completely. Primary Cicatricial Alopecias (PCAs), commonly referred to as scarring alopecias, are a collective group of inflammatory disorders with distinctive pathological features that include the development of fibrosis, permanent destruction of the pilosebaceous unit of the hair follicle (HF), and irreversible hair loss.[19]

Traction alopecia is caused by adding too much strain on the hair on one's head. Tight ponytails and other styles that require added tension to the hair are often what cause this disease. It can also occur on the face in areas where the hair is often styled. Plucking or waxing one's eyebrows frequently, for example, can yield suppressed hair growth in the area.

On the scalp, the hair is usually known to be lost around the hair line, leaving the densest amount of hair at the crown. Small vellus hair will often replace the hair that is lost.

Radiation therapy to the head

Human hair follicles are very sensitive to the effects of

telogen
phase, and regrowth should commence 2.5 to 3 months after the hair begins to shed. Regrowth may be sparser after treatment.

UV-B

Ultraviolet light levels of either 20 or 50 mJ cm−2 in the

hair follicles.[20]

See also

References

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  5. ^ Joseph Castro (January 27, 2014). "How Fast Does Hair Grow?". Live Science. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
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  7. ^ "How many hairs are on a human head in total and per square inch?". curlcentric.com. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  8. ^ "Number of hairs on human head". harvard.edu. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  9. ^ "How much hair does a human have on their head?". mevolife.com. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  10. ^ "Do your hair and fingernails grow after death?". bbc.com. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
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  15. ^ "Natural Hair Growth". Sunday, 11 April 2021
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  18. ^ "Hair loss (alopecia) - NHS Choices". 2013-09-27. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
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