TLDR Skin patterns are formed by simple reaction-diffusion mechanisms.
The document from 2004 examines the formation of hair patterns on the skin, emphasizing the role of both genetic and epigenetic factors. It references a study by Ziering and Krenitsky that identified five distinct hair whorl patterns in a sample of nearly 500 males, noting variations across different ethnic groups. The paper also discusses the dynamic nature of hair growth patterns in mice and suggests that hair waves may be related to patterning events over time. The Belousov–Zhabotinskii reaction is proposed as a model for understanding these patterns, with the skin oscillating between pigmented and non-pigmented states. The document concludes that skin patterns are the result of simple reaction-diffusion mechanisms and that understanding the physical–chemical laws governing these patterns is essential for a comprehensive understanding of biological morphogenesis.
112 citations,
January 2004 in “The International journal of developmental biology” Feather patterns form through genetic and epigenetic controls, with cells self-organizing into periodic patterns.
16 citations,
October 2003 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” A boy had unusual synchronized hair growth with short active growth phases, not fitting known hair disorders.
18 citations,
July 2003 in “Dermatologic Surgery” The conclusion is that creating natural-looking hair restoration requires replicating natural scalp whorl patterns and inserting grafts at specific angles.
23 citations,
March 2010 in “Medical hypotheses” Merkel cells may have roles in sensing magnetic fields, creating fingerprints, Reiki energy healing, passing on environmental information to offspring, and influencing hair shape.
12 citations,
July 2016 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Different hair fiber development might explain why hair loss severity varies in patients with a specific genetic mutation, and treatments that thicken hair could help.
25 citations,
September 2006 in “Birth Defects Research” Different processes create patterns in skin and things like hair and feathers.
2 citations,
June 2006 in “Experimental dermatology” Skin patterns form through molecular signals and genetic factors, affecting healing and dermatology.
112 citations,
January 2004 in “The International journal of developmental biology” Feather patterns form through genetic and epigenetic controls, with cells self-organizing into periodic patterns.
