Histomorphological and Quantitative Characteristics of Black and Gray Human Scalp Hair

The study analyzed 440 hair samples from 22 adult Bengalee males to compare the histomorphological and quantitative characteristics of black and gray scalp hair. It found that continuous medullation was more common in gray hair (44.09%) than black hair (12.72%), while medullation was absent in 48.18% of black hair. Discontinuous medullation was nearly equal in both types. The crenate cuticle type was more prevalent in gray hair (71.80%) compared to black hair (67.70%). Gray hair had a significantly higher mean medullary diameter and medullary index, although there was no significant difference in mean shaft diameter between the two, with a trend towards a higher shaft diameter in gray hair.