Biology of Human Hair: Know Your Hair to Control It

January 2010 in “ Advances in Biochemical Engineering / Biotechnology ”

Rita Araújo, Margarida M. Fernandes, Artur Cavaco-Paulo, Andreia C. Gomes

minoxidil finasteride hair follicle hair growth disorders RNA interference gene modulation protein disulfide isomerase stem cell modulation hair fiber treatment hair coloring signaling pathways hormones hair follicle development hair follicle cycling Rogaine Propecia

From the encyclopedia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Studysummary This review covers various aspects of hair biology, pigmentation, and development, focusing on genetic and biochemical modulation of hair follicle components but reports no new findings.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document from 2010 provides an extensive examination of human hair biology, detailing the structure, pigmentation, and life cycle of hair, including the newly introduced "kenogen" phase. It emphasizes the role of various signaling pathways and hormones in hair follicle development and cycling, and the impact of these factors on hair growth disorders. The paper discusses current FDA-approved treatments for hair loss, such as minoxidil and finasteride, and the potential for future therapies involving gene modulation through RNA interference. Additionally, it explores the hair follicle as a target for drug delivery and the development of new treatments for hair and skin conditions, including the use of protein disulfide isomerase for hair fiber treatment and the challenges in hair coloring. The document underscores the importance of understanding hair biology for the creation of more effective and less damaging therapeutic approaches, and highlights the promising research in stem cell modulation for treating hair and scalp disorders.

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Research cited in this study

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