The Influence of Surgical Stress on Human Scalp Hair Fiber Dimensions

November 2015 in “ Summit (Simon Fraser University) ”

Audrey Scott

surgical stress hair fiber dimensions scalp hair cuticle thickness cortex diameter

Studysummary In this study, significant changes in hair fiber dimensions were observed between pre- and post-operative states in males undergoing abdominal surgery, with values normalizing by the fourth post-operative week.

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

The study investigated the impact of surgical stress on human scalp hair fiber dimensions by analyzing hair samples from males undergoing abdominal surgery. Hair samples, covering one month before and after surgery, were examined for changes in total fiber diameter, cuticle thickness, and cortex diameter. The study found that while increased magnification and digital measurement did not significantly alter data, combined measurement variables were more effective in detecting stress-related changes. Statistically significant differences in hair fiber dimensions were observed pre- and post-surgery, with values returning to normal by the fourth post-operative week.

View this study on summit.sfu.ca →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

22 / 22 results

research The Human Hair: From Anatomy to Physiology

107 citations , December 2013 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This review summarizes the anatomical and physiological aspects of human hair and its clinical significance, but does not report new research findings.

research The Biology of Hair Diversity

47 citations , January 2013 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

This review explores genetic and lifestyle factors influencing hair diversity and reports no new findings, calling attention to the potential for future discoveries in genetic and epigenetic research.

research Improving Stable Isotopic Interpretations Made From Human Hair Through Reduction of Growth Cycle Error

72 citations , February 2011 in “American Journal of Biological Anthropology”

This study observed that eliminating positional error in hair segment analysis can improve understanding of changes in isotopic composition, aiding the identification of pathological conditions and dietary patterns.

research Diffuse Hair Loss: Its Triggers and Management

88 citations , June 2009 in “Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine”

This article reviews various causes of diffuse hair loss, highlighting the importance of identifying triggers through thorough examination for effective treatment and emphasizing patient education in management; it reports no new clinical findings.

research Diffuse Hair Loss in an Adult Female: Approach to Diagnosis and Management

70 citations , January 2009 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

This article reviews the characteristics, diagnosis, and management of different types of diffuse alopecia in women and provides no original research findings.

Hair as a Retrospective Calendar of Cortisol Production—Increased Cortisol Incorporation into Hair in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

research Hair as a Retrospective Calendar of Cortisol Production—Increased Cortisol Incorporation into Hair in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

501 citations , October 2008 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

This study suggests that cortisol measured in human hair can effectively reflect increased production for up to six months, but its retrospective accuracy may be limited due to rapid decline in levels.

research Measurement of Cortisol in Human Hair as a Biomarker of Systemic Exposure

567 citations , October 2007 in “Clinical and investigative medicine”

This study described a new assay for measuring cortisol in hair and found it may serve as a useful biomarker for long-term cortisol exposure, correlating with 24-hour urine cortisol levels in non-obese subjects.

research Hair: The Most Sophisticated Biological Composite Material

254 citations , January 2007 in “Chemical Society Reviews”

This review discusses the hierarchical structure and chemical properties of hair fibers and offers insights for chemists and biochemists, but reports no new experimental findings.

research Ultramicroscopic Study on the Hair of Newly Found 15th Century Mummy in Daejeon, Korea

20 citations , July 2006 in “Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger”

The 15th-century Korean mummy's hair was well-preserved due to a protective lime-soil coating.

research Neuroimmunology of Stress: Skin Takes Center Stage

375 citations , July 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This review discusses the brain-skin connection, the skin's role in stress response, and highlights unmet challenges in understanding stress-induced skin inflammation but reports no new experimental findings.

research Diversity of Hair Growth Profiles

115 citations , September 2005 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Different ethnic groups have unique hair growth patterns, with African hair growing slower and less dense, Asian hair growing fast but sparse, and Caucasian hair being densest; men are more likely to experience hair loss than women.

research Human Hair Follicles Display a Functional Equivalent of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis and Synthesize Cortisol

489 citations , June 2005 in “The FASEB Journal”

This study found that human scalp hair follicles can respond to corticotropin releasing hormone stimulation similarly to the classical HPA axis, including up-regulating cortisol production and activating neuroendocrine feedback loops.

research The Human Hair Follicle Has Established a Fully Functional Peripheral Equivalent of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA)

9 citations , January 2005 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that human hair follicles can function like a peripheral hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, synthesizing cortisol in response to corticotropin-releasing hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation.

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.

Stress Inhibits Hair Growth in Mice by Inducing Premature Catagen Development and Harmful Perifollicular Inflammatory Events via Neuropeptide Substance P-Dependent Pathways

research Stress Inhibits Hair Growth in Mice by Inducing Premature Catagen Development and Harmful Perifollicular Inflammatory Events via Neuropeptide Substance P-Dependent Pathways

194 citations , March 2003 in “American Journal of Pathology”

This study found that psychoemotional stress disrupts hair growth in mice by terminating anagen and suggests a potential pathway for pharmacological management of stress-related hair loss in humans.

research Nutritional Factors and Hair Loss

239 citations , July 2002 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This review explores the role of nutritional factors in hair loss, noting that iron and l-lysine supplementation may benefit some individuals, while excessive supplements can lead to hair shedding.

research Cutaneous Manifestations of Eating Disorders

33 citations , April 2002 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

This review discusses the skin conditions linked to eating disorders and emphasizes that treating the underlying disorder often improves these dermatological symptoms.

research The Biology of Hair Follicles

1113 citations , August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

This article discusses the biologic and psychosocial significance of hair, the current limitations in hair growth drugs, and anticipates future therapies based on advancing hair follicle research.

research The Role of Keratin Proteins and Their Genes in the Growth, Structure, and Properties of Hair

228 citations , January 1997 in “Birkhäuser Basel eBooks”

This article integrates existing literature on hair follicle structure and formation at the cellular and molecular level, reporting no new findings.

research The Control of Hair Growth: An Overview

62 citations , July 1993 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Hair growth is influenced by interactions between skin layers, growth factors, and hormones, but the exact mechanisms are not fully understood.

research Measurement of Hair Growth

26 citations , March 1986 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Scalp hair grows at 0.37 mm/day, forearm hair at 0.18 mm/day, and thigh hair at 0.30 mm/day, with no significant differences found in people with certain hair conditions.

research Morphological Changes in Human Scalp Hair Roots During Protein Deprivation

47 citations , July 1967 in “Science”

This study observed morphological changes in scalp hair follicles of humans deprived of protein for 15 days, which suggests potential use in diagnosing protein-calorie malnutrition.