TLDR Collecting hair for cortisol analysis is possible in low-income mother-toddler pairs.
In a study aimed at advancing stress science research in young children, researchers investigated the feasibility of collecting hair samples for cortisol analysis from mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S. Out of 142 approached mother-toddler pairs, 94 (66%) agreed to participate, with hairstyle being the most common reason for refusal. The process involved cutting approximately 150 hairs from both the mother's and toddler's scalp, demonstrated using a hairstyling doll and rounded-end thinning shears during home visits. The study found that nearly all hair samples collected were of adequate weight for cortisol extraction, indicating that hair sampling in this demographic is feasible for stress research.
4 citations
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February 2019 in “American Journal of Human Biology” Collecting hair from all scalp sections works as well as the standard method for cortisol analysis.
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October 2013 in “PEDIATRICS” Maternal stress during pregnancy affects a child's stress levels.
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October 2008 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Hair cortisol levels can show increased stress during late pregnancy but only for up to six months.
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September 2014 in “Menopause” The NAMS 2014 recommendations guide healthcare providers on treating health issues in midlife women, emphasizing individualized care and informed decision-making.
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September 2010 in “Animal” Selecting Angus cattle for earlier puberty lowers prolactin levels but doesn't affect hair growth.
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January 2017 in “Conservation physiology” Measuring reproductive hormones in brown bear hair could help identify their sex and reproductive state, but better collection methods or lab techniques are needed.
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January 2015 in “Journal of Biological Rhythms” The skin's internal clock affects healing, cancer risk, aging, immunity, and hair growth, and disruptions can harm skin health.
September 2025 in “Cosmetics” NMN supplements may improve hair quality and appearance in middle-aged women.
