High-Throughput Phenotyping Methods for Quantifying Hair Fiber Morphology

November 2020 in “ bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) ”

Tina Lasisi, Arslan Zaidi, Timothy H. Webster, Nicholas B. Stephens, Kendall Routch, Nina G. Jablonski, Mark D. Shriver

hair fiber morphology longitudinal morphology cross-sectional morphology human scalp hair phenotyping methods

Studysummary This study introduced a new high-throughput method for analyzing scalp hair morphology and found that quantifying hair form provides more accurate information than traditional classification based on racial categories, challenging the belief that cross-sectional morphology predicts hair curvature.

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

The study introduced a high-throughput protocol for preparing and imaging human scalp hair to measure both longitudinal (curvature) and cross-sectional morphology. A new Python package was developed to process these images, segment them, and extract relevant measurements. The methods were applied to a sample of 140 individuals of mixed African-European ancestry, showing that quantifying hair morphology is more beneficial than using qualitative classifications or racial categories. The findings also challenged the belief that cross-sectional morphology can predict hair curvature.

View this study on biorxiv.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Sample Preparation Protocol for Cross-Sectional Microscopy of Hair Fibers

2 citations , January 2020

The document describes a method for preparing hair for microscopy by embedding it in plastic, cutting it, and storing it cold before imaging.

research Elemental Hair Analysis: A Review of Procedures and Applications

96 citations , September 2017 in “Analytica Chimica Acta”

This review discusses the growing use of scalp hair for elemental analysis in various fields and highlights advancements in analysis techniques, including the future potential of laser ablation ICP-MS, but reports no new clinical results.

research Geometric Classification of Scalp Hair for Valid Drug Testing, More Reliable Than Hair Curl Groups

16 citations , June 2017 in “PLoS ONE”

This small study reports that a 6-group geometric classification method is more reliable for classifying human hair curl, although a digital system could further reduce errors.

research Human Hair and the Impact of Cosmetic Procedures: A Review on Cleansing and Shape-Modulating Cosmetics

53 citations , July 2016 in “Cosmetics”

This study reviews the biology and cosmetic treatment of hair, emphasizing future advancements in safer, more effective procedures to meet consumer needs for hair care.

research Quantifying Variation in Human Scalp Hair Fiber Shape and Pigmentation

32 citations , March 2016 in “American Journal of Physical Anthropology”

This study suggests that chemical methods can reveal subtle differences in scalp hair color variability across populations and emphasizes the need for enhanced understanding of hair fiber curvature.

research A Genome-Wide Association Scan in Admixed Latin Americans Identifies Loci Influencing Facial and Scalp Hair Features

196 citations , March 2016 in “Nature Communications”

In this study, researchers identified 18 genetic associations with scalp and facial hair traits in Latin Americans, including novel loci for hair greying and balding, with implications for understanding hair evolution.

research Human Hair: A Unique Physicochemical Composite

203 citations , June 2003 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the structure and chemistry of hair across ethnicities and how these factors affect hair properties and treatment responses, but reports no new research findings.