The Substantial Role of Asymmetric Hair Follicle Differentiation in Determining Hair Shape with Ethnic/Racial Related Diversity

April 2017 in “ Journal of Dermatological Science ”

Oya N, Akira Hachiya, Azumi Nagasawa, Daiki Murase, A.K. Stepp, Tsutomu Fujimura, Shigeru Moriwaki, Yoshinori Takema, Cheng‐Ming Chuong

asymmetric hair follicle differentiation kinky hair pancytokeratin trichohyalin melanogenesis hair bulbs

TLDR Asymmetric hair follicle differentiation causes the unique shape of kinky hair.

The study explored the role of asymmetric hair follicle differentiation in determining hair shape, particularly focusing on kinky hair typically found in African-descent populations. Researchers examined the expression patterns of proteins related to hair differentiation, pancytokeratin and trichohyalin, in African-American kinky hair follicles compared to Caucasian straight and wavy hair follicles. They found that asymmetric expression of these proteins was more pronounced in kinky hair, correlating with the curvature of the hair bulbs. Additionally, asymmetric melanogenesis was observed in kinky hair bulbs. The findings suggested that the asymmetric differentiation in kinky hair bulbs contributed to the unique curved shape of the hair follicles and, consequently, the hair itself.

View this study on jdsjournal.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 31 results

community Physio-metabolic method of treating androgenic alopecia. Cold receptors. The relationship between DHT, cold receptors, minoxidil and antiandrogens.

in Research/Science 2 upvotes 11 months ago

A method for treating androgenic alopecia using minoxidil, antiandrogens, exercise, and cold exposure to promote hair growth. Environmental factors and lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, can improve treatment effectiveness.

Physio-metabolic method of treating androgenic alopecia. Cold receptors. The relationship between DHT, cold receptors, minoxidil and antiandrogens

community Physio-metabolic method of treating androgenic alopecia. Cold receptors. The relationship between DHT, cold receptors, minoxidil and antiandrogens

in Research 413 upvotes 11 months ago

Treating androgenic alopecia with minoxidil, finasteride, and antiandrogens, alongside exercise, cryotherapy, and natural substances to stimulate cold receptors for better hair growth. The method focuses on enhancing treatment effectiveness by considering environmental and behavioral factors and the role of cold receptors and muscle stress.

community Is there any point to microneedling if you're on oral minoxidil?

in Microneedling 45 upvotes 2 years ago

Microneedling's effectiveness for hair regrowth is debated, with mixed results from studies. Some believe it helps with blood flow and scalp health, while others see it as largely ineffective.

community Dental technician is convinced that he has found the cause of pattern hair loss

in Research/Science 314 upvotes 1 year ago

A dental technician claims malocclusion causes pattern hair loss due to poor scalp circulation. Users debate this, noting treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and microneedling focus on DHT and blood flow.

community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

in Research 830 upvotes 1 year ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community Goodbye y'all, it's been a journey but have accepted where I'm at

in Update 219 upvotes 2 years ago

The conclusion of this conversation about hair loss is that the user, y00sh420, tried various treatments including a $700 lllt helmet, topical minoxidil and finasteride, spectraDNC, and micro needling, but did not achieve the desired results. They have decided to stop trying until a cure for male pattern baldness is found. Other users expressed different opinions on hair loss treatments.

Related Research

6 / 6 results

research Black Women's Hair: The Main Scalp Dermatoses and Aesthetic Practices in Women of African Ethnicity

32 citations , August 2015 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

Black women's unique hair characteristics and styling practices can lead to specific scalp conditions, which require early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

research Abnormal Inner Root Sheath of the Hair Follicle in the Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome: An Ultrastructural Study

31 citations , December 2010 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Loose anagen hair syndrome is caused by structural abnormalities in the hair follicle's inner root sheath.

research Hair Coloring, Permanent Styling, and Hair Structure

72 citations , July 2003 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology”

Frequent hair coloring and styling can damage hair and cause breakage or loss.

research Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor on the Morphology and Patterns of DNA Synthesis in Isolated Human Hair Follicles

94 citations , February 1994 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

EGF makes hair follicles grow longer but stops hair production.

research Three-Dimensional Culture of Plucked Human Hair Follicles Inside the Collagen Gel Matrix

3 citations , July 1990 in “PubMed”

Human hair follicles can grow and form structures in a collagen gel, useful for studying hair cell growth.

research Outer Root Sheath Keratinization in Anagen and Catagen of the Mammalian Hair Follicle: A Seventh Distinct Type of Keratinization in the Hair Follicle - Trichilemmal Keratinization

59 citations , August 1981 in “PubMed”

Trichilemmal keratinization is a unique process in hair follicles where the outer root sheath turns into keratin without a specific layer.