Chronic Circadian Misalignment Is a Risk Factor for Hair Growth Impairment

September 2024 in “ iScience ”

Yoshiki Miyawaki, Atsuhiro Nishida, Keisuke Fukushima, Aoi Matsumoto, Teruki Hamano, Yukiya Mori, Mamoru Nagano, Isao T. Tokuda, Yasufumi Shigeyoshi, Koichi Node, Makoto Akashi

circadian misalignment hair growth impairment anagen phase hair follicles artificial light environments

TLDR Disrupted sleep patterns from artificial light can slow hair growth and may lead to hair loss.

The study examines the effects of chronic circadian misalignment on hair growth in mice, finding that repetitive light-dark cycle reversals impair hair growth by reducing the growth rate during the anagen phase. Male mice experienced more significant delays in hair regrowth than females. The research suggests that artificial light environments disrupting natural circadian rhythms could be a risk factor for hair loss. While the study indicates potential implications for humans, further research is needed due to physiological differences between mice and humans. Other factors, such as autonomic dysregulation, may also contribute to the observed effects on hair growth.

View this study on cell.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

13 / 13 results

research Diagnosis and Treatment of Nonscarring Hair Loss in Primary Care in 2021

4 citations , March 2021 in “JAMA”

Primary care in 2021 focused on identifying nonscarring hair loss and managing common types based on the pattern of hair loss.

research External Light Activates Hair Follicle Stem Cells Through Eyes Via an ipRGC–SCN–Sympathetic Neural Pathway

61 citations , June 2018 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

Light can turn on hair growth cells through a nerve path starting in the eyes.

research Timing of Expression of the Core Clock Gene Bmal1 Influences Its Effects on Aging and Survival

237 citations , February 2016 in “Science Translational Medicine”

The timing of when the gene Bmal1 is active affects aging and survival, with its absence during development, not adulthood, leading to premature aging.

research A Meeting of Two Chronobiological Systems: Circadian Proteins Period1 and BMAL1 Modulate the Human Hair Cycle Clock

92 citations , September 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

BMAL1 and Period1 genes can influence human hair growth.

research Local Circadian Clock Gates Cell Cycle Progression of Transient Amplifying Cells During Regenerative Hair Cycling

116 citations , May 2013 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

Hair grows faster in the morning and is more vulnerable to damage from radiation due to the internal clock in hair follicle cells.

research Brain And Muscle Arnt-Like Protein-1 (BMAL1) Controls Circadian Cell Proliferation And Susceptibility To UVB-Induced DNA Damage In The Epidermis

221 citations , July 2012 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

BMAL1 controls skin cell growth and UV damage risk, peaking at night.

research Effects of Topical Application of EGCG on Testosterone-Induced Hair Loss in a Mouse Model

14 citations , July 2011 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Applying EGCG on the skin can prevent hair loss caused by testosterone in mice.

research Cyclical Changes in Rat Vibrissa Follicles Maintained In Vitro

34 citations , December 2000 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Rat vibrissa follicles are useful for studying hair growth cycles, especially the transition from pro-anagen to anagen.

research Effects of 17-β-Estradiol and ICI 182 780 on Hair Growth in Various Strains of Mice

32 citations , December 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

17-β-Estradiol applied to the skin stops hair growth, while ICI 182 780 helps hair grow in mice.

research An Estrogen Receptor Pathway Regulates the Telogen-Anagen Hair Follicle Transition and Influences Epidermal Cell Proliferation

154 citations , October 1996 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

Estrogen affects hair growth and skin cell multiplication.

research Mouse Models for the Study of Human Hair Loss

36 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Mice are useful for researching human hair loss and testing treatments, despite some differences between species.

research Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia on Women: Comparisons with Balding Men and Female Control Subjects

222 citations , October 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss affects women's mental health more than men's, causing anxiety, low self-esteem, and social insecurity.

research Animal Models of Androgen-Dependent Disorders of the Pilosebaceous Apparatus

38 citations , July 1989 in “Archives of dermatological research”

Testosterone causes hair loss in AGA mice, which are good for testing baldness treatments, and both minoxidil and cyproterone acetate can prevent this hair loss.