Hair Cortisol Concentrations Associate With Hair Growth Rate

September 2016 in “ Brain Behavior and Immunity ”

L. Xiang, Imran Sunesara, Kristina E. Rehm, Gailen D. Marshall

hair cortisol concentrations HCC hair growth rate cosmetic treatments biomarker chronic stress

TLDR Hair cortisol levels can indicate stress and are affected by washing frequency, not cosmetic treatments.

The study investigated the relationship between hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) and hair growth rate, as well as the effects of hair washing frequency and cosmetic treatments on HCC. Conducted with 53 participants, the study found that frequent hair washing significantly reduced HCC, while cosmetic treatments did not affect HCC levels. Additionally, HCC in the first 3 cm of hair correlated with a growth rate of 1 cm per month, suggesting that this segment could reflect cumulative stress exposure over the past 3 months. These findings supported the potential of HCC as a biomarker for chronic stress assessment.

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