4th Intercontinental Meeting of Hair Research Societies 2004: The World of Hair
June 2004
in “
Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft
”
stem cell research pigmentation endocrinology alopecia areata hair morphology hair cycling genetics gene therapy hair surgery epilation multipotent stem cells epithelial lineages hair follicle dermis hematopoietic activity ß-endorphin melanocyte stem cell niche hormone regulation pilosebaceous unit androgen-dependent disorders hair growth hair transplantation laser epilation anti-interferon-y hair stem cells hair pigmentation hormones hair loss hair structure hair growth cycle genes gene treatment hair transplant hair removal stem cells skin cells hair follicle cells blood cell activity endorphin melanocyte niche hormone control oil gland unit androgen disorders hair regrowth hair transplant laser hair removal anti-interferon treatment
TLDR The meeting presented new findings on hair stem cells, pigmentation, genetics, and modern hair treatment techniques.
The 4th Intercontinental Meeting of Hair Research Societies, held in Berlin from June 17-19, 2004, focused on the latest developments in hair research, including stem cell research, pigmentation, endocrinology, alopecia areata, hair morphology and cycling, genetics, gene therapy, hair surgery, and epilation. Key findings presented at the meeting included the discovery that adult hair follicles contain multipotent stem cells capable of regenerating various epithelial lineages of the skin and that hair follicle dermis can differentiate into multiple cell types, including those with hematopoietic activity. Advances in understanding hair pigmentation were discussed, including the role of ß-endorphin and the molecular definition of the melanocyte stem cell niche. Progress in hormone regulation of the pilosebaceous unit has led to new therapeutic approaches for androgen-dependent disorders. Genetic studies have identified critical genes in hair growth and cycling, and a linkage for alopecia areata on chromosomes 5 and 8 was reported, along with a new treatment strategy using anti-interferon-y. Updates on hair transplantation and laser epilation highlighted modern techniques that yield natural-looking results. The meeting aimed to stimulate exchange and generate new ideas in the field of hair research.
