Human hair growth
Human Hair Growth
Human hair growth is a complex process that involves various biological systems and structures. It is a dynamic process, with hair follicles cycling between periods of growth (anagen), regression (catagen), and rest (telogen).
Anatomy of the Hair Follicle[edit | edit source]
The hair follicle is a dynamic organ found in mammalian skin. It resides in the dermal layer of the skin and is made up of 20 different cell types, each with distinct functions. The hair follicle regulates hair growth via a complex interaction between hormones, neuropeptides, and immune cells.
Phases of Hair Growth[edit | edit source]
Hair growth occurs in cycles consisting of three phases:
- Anagen Phase: This is the growth phase. The length of this phase is genetically determined and lasts between two and seven years.
- Catagen Phase: This is a short transition stage that occurs at the end of the anagen phase. It signals the end of the active growth of a hair.
- Telogen Phase: This is the resting phase before the hair falls out. The follicle then remains inactive for about three months before the whole process is repeated.
Factors Affecting Hair Growth[edit | edit source]
Several factors can affect the growth of hair, including:
- Genetics: Certain genetic factors can influence the length and thickness of hair.
- Hormones: Hormones play a key role in regulating hair growth. For example, androgens have a direct effect on the growth of hair.
- Nutrition: A lack of proper nutrition can also affect hair growth.
Hair Disorders[edit | edit source]
There are several disorders that can affect hair growth, including:
- Alopecia Areata: This is a condition in which hair falls out in patches.
- Androgenetic Alopecia: This is also known as male or female pattern baldness.
- Telogen Effluvium: This is a condition in which hair falls out excessively due to stress or shock.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
