TLDR Human hair follicles can grow and stay healthy for up to 8 days in a lab setting.
The study evaluated the histological and ultrastructural aspects of normal human hair follicles maintained ex vivo for 12 days in a serum-free medium. Anagen hair follicles showed continued viability and growth for up to 8 days, maintaining normal in vivo morphologies, including functional hair bulb melanocytes. After 8 days, signs of follicular cell interaction loss and impending involution were observed, with most follicles involuting by 12 days, displaying apoptotic-like keratinocytes and highly keratinized hair structures. The study provided the first detailed histological and ultrastructural analysis of human hair follicles in culture, suggesting that while some features of catagen were present, the mechanisms might differ.
68 citations,
December 1991 in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences” Hair growth can be induced by certain cells found at the base of hair follicles, and these cells may also influence hair development and regeneration.
109 citations,
July 1993 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Hair color production is closely linked to the active growth phase of hair in mice and may also influence hair growth itself.
210 citations,
July 1993 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Hair color production in mice is closely linked to the hair growth phase and may also influence hair growth itself.
13 citations,
January 2010 in “Advances in Biochemical Engineering / Biotechnology” Understanding hair biology is key to developing better treatments for hair and scalp issues.
450 citations,
January 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Hair color is determined by melanin produced and transferred in hair follicles.
240 citations,
April 2011 in “Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research” Melanocyte stem cells in hair follicles are key for hair color and could help treat greying and pigment disorders.
165 citations,
June 2007 in “European Journal of Cell Biology” Hair follicle stem cells are key for hair and skin regeneration, can be reprogrammed, and have potential therapeutic uses, but also carry a risk of cancer.
