Biology of Hair Growth Factors influencing Hair Growth
What regulates the hair growth (clock) cycle ? Although human hair follicles apparently cycle through growth and rest independently of each other there must be a mechanism to promote anagen hair growth and the involution of the hair follicle to a resting stage. Clues to the basics of this mechanism have been known about for many years. Any form of skin damage will force telogen hair follicles in rodents into anagen growth in and around the site of injury. Any damage would induce temporary hair growth. As the injury heals so the hair follicles go back to normal. There is similar evidence that injury in humans will also promote growth and induce anagen if the hair follicles are in telogen. Stimulation can come from cuts, scrapes, heat/chemical burns including sun burn, limited local necrosis, and some forms of skin irritation. As you get older, you may lose hair due to aging. Generally speaking, hair loss is a natural sign of aging, just like development of winkles and deterioratiin in eyesight. Besides aging, hair loss may also occur through genetic or environmental causes. Although baldness is accepted as an alternative hair style by some people who even shave head regularly to achieve baldness, loss of hair is usually not welcome by the majority of people, especially when it happens to young people and women. Loss of hair is a visible problem indeed. Although hair is no longer a biologically crucial body part for us human, it does serve a role as a visible marker and identifier of individuals. Therefore, hair style concerns the majority of people. |