Bubble Hair

October 1992 in “ Journal of cutaneous pathology ”

Dirk M. Elston, Wilma F. Bergfeld, David Whiting, James T. McMahon, Dawn M. Dawson, K. L. Quint, Jan E. Muhlbauer

bubble hair hair dystrophy light microscopy electron microscopy cortical cells medulla hair shaft trauma to the hair shaft

TLDR Bubble hair deformity may be caused by hair shaft trauma and can improve with gentle hair care.

The study examined an unusual hair dystrophy known as bubble hair using light and electron microscopy. Hair fibers showed a boomerang deformity with small and large bubbles, and electron microscopy revealed a loss of cortical cells and medulla at these sites. Cross-sections displayed either a large cavity or a "swiss cheese-like" cell loss. These were the second and third reported cases of bubble hair deformity, with new electron microscopic findings. The cause remained unclear, but gentle hair care resolved the condition, suggesting trauma to the hair shaft might be involved. The study indicated that more cases might be unrecognized and recommended investigating patients with localized wiry hair tufts for additional cases.

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Research cited in this study

2 / 2 results

research Structural Abnormalities of the Hair Shaft

126 citations, January 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

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research Trichorrhexis Nodosa: Study on Hair Involvement and Trauma

40 citations, November 1966 in “Archives of Dermatology”

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