HomeHealth articlesfinasterideWhat Is the Composition of Human Hair?

New Insights on Hair Research

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With the change in times, new research is conducted on the study of hair structure and advanced devices to locate hair problems.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Sandhya Narayanan Kutty

Published At October 31, 2022
Reviewed AtMay 30, 2023

Introduction

Hair is present on every part of the skin, protecting it from direct exposure to external factors. Hair morphology is different in each part of the human body, but the hairs on the scalp are considered to be the essential part of esthetics. The hairs are grown from the hair follicle at birth; they are small with age. These follicles grow and form a sebaceous gland that secretes sebum, natural oil that nourishes hair, and the hair on the scalp is called terminal hair, And when the follicle size decreases, the hairs start to shed, causing hair thinning.

What Is the Composition of Human Hair?

The single hair strand is composed of a sulfur-rich protein structure, lipids, minerals, water, melanin, and vitamins; it is a dead structure without living cells. In a cross-sectional view, hair is divided into three parts: cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The cuticle is made of keratin and multiple layers of flat cells directed towards the shaft; the cuticle is made of a-layer, a b-layer made of protein, and f-layer made of fiber; this layer is water-resistant and provides texture and luster to hair.

The cuticle can be damaged due to external factors like climate change and chemical and heat appliances which can make hair porous and lose its functional properties. The cortex comprises keratin consisting of amino acid residue and melanin granules; this layer provides strength and elasticity to the hair and can be damaged due to oxidative chemical changes leading to easy breakage.

The medulla is a soft protein layer seen in thicker and white hair. The hair thickness is classified into three, fine with less than 60 microns, medium with 60-80microns, and thick with 80-150 microns. The shape of hair and the cortex determines the susceptibility to damage. The greater the diameter of the cortex, the greater the strength of the hair, and this factor increases the longevity of the hair.

What Are the Causes of Hair Damage?

The damage to hair due to internal or external factors is called weathering. Modern research techniques help find the cause of the breakdown of hair at the nano-level. If it is due to the breakdown of chemical bonds or loss of elasticity or strength, the difference in single fiber leads to loss of shine and the changes that occur in the diameter of the hair.

As per the studies, the weathering can be natural or accelerated; natural weathering occurs due to physical damage to hair that happens while hair grooming, and accelerated weathering occurs due to excessive physical and chemical use on hair that leads to damage to cuticle and breakdown of hair protein, this can also lead to the breakdown of hair or split ends of hair.

The hair can be damaged due to excessive exposure to sunlight, the use of hair drying and grooming appliance, and harsh chemicals and metals used to straighten and curl hair; this can also lead to the breakdown of hair or split ends of hair.

The hair can be damaged due to excessive exposure to sunlight, use of hair drying and grooming appliances, and harsh chemicals and metals used to straighten and curl hair. In shampoo and other hair cosmetic products, this can break the cuticle layers and make hair look dull, frizzy, and thin.

What Is the New Research Found on Hair Regrowth?

The hair follicle is formed in the embryo with molecular signals called the hedgehog signal pathway, which is present in the body since birth and gradually shed off after birth. These signals are automatically shut down to prevent the crosslinking of messages.

Recent studies have shown that activation of the hedgehog signal pathway help in the growth of new hair follicles when keratinocytes and fibroblasts are activated; the study was carried out on mice and showed positive results, but the inappropriate activation of hedgehog can lead to the growth of tumors on the skin, but with the treatment of hedgehog inhibitor Vismodegib the growth of tumor was inhibited and new hair follicle was intact. However, the research still needs to go through several trials for effective results to show in humans.

Recent studies have found QR 678 scalp injection helpful in the regrowth of hair follicles; this treatment is considered an advanced non-surgical treatment better than stem cell treatment and plasma-rich protein treatment used for hair regrowth; 80% of hair regrowth was found in 90% of people who were injected in the duration of 6 months, this treatment is approved by Food Drug and Administration.

A scientist has found that in acute cases of hair loss, the immune cells attack the skin, which causes hair fall to stop; they use glucocorticoid to inhibit the immune reaction affecting the skin and leading to hair loss. In addition, the use of glucocorticoid helped activate regulatory T-cells, which produce TGF- beta 3, which is helpful in the growth of new hair follicle stem cells.

For effective hair growth, the hair cycling stages are essential to increase the hair growing phase and delay the hair losing or shedding phase; research is done to find a medicine that can help restore the hair and maintain the texture and volume, and hair density.

Therapy like topical Finasteride and Minoxidil have shown to be effective in a few people for hair growth; Finasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone which is the leading cause of hair loss by inhibiting 5 alpha reductase type 2 enzyme, while Minoxidil helps in increasing the hair growth phase and shortening the hair loss phase by producing enzyme 2-4-di-amino-6-piperidine pyrimidine-3-oxide, it also helps in enlarging the hair follicle size. However, this medicine is to be used regularly to maintain the results; the prolonged use of these drugs has many side effects; Finasteride has been shown to have sexual dysfunction in both men and women, and minoxidil is shown to have problems related to hypertension, headache, water retention.

Conclusion

Hair plays an essential role in esthetics as they affect the beauty of a person, they help in boosting the self-confidence of a person, and losing hair at an early age can be painful and affect self-esteem; the recent advancement in hair regrowth is promising but are still under trial, if this trial is successful then the problem of hair loss will be solved. Before opting for any treatment related to hair, it is advised to take the opinion of a healthcare provider with good experience and have shown effective results with no complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

What Is the Latest Research Found on Hair Loss?

In June 2022, the FDA approved the first treatment for hair loss in which the immune system may attack the hair follicles, known as alopecia areata. The drug, baricitinib, was already approved for treating another autoimmune disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

2.

Is Any New Technology Available for Hair Growth?

A new signaling molecule called SCUBE3 that the researchers found has the potential to cure androgenetic alopecia, a prevalent type of hair loss seen in both men and women.

3.

How Can Hair Provide Insight Into Health?

One's hair can provide a doctor to know whether one is stressed or has any nutritional deficiency, other health issues, and a thyroid problem.

4.

Are There Any Scientifically Possible Ways to Regrow Hair?

As technology advances, one can actually regrow their hair back with minimally invasive, more heavy-duty treatment. For example, with follicular unit extraction FUE, surgeons can transplant hair follicles and implant them into the bald spots.

5.

What Would Be the Information That Can Be Learned From Hair?

The area from where the hair originated can be determined by general,
- Shape.
- Size. 
- Curliness.
- Length.
- Stiffness.
The microscopic appearance contributes to determining the area of the body. Medullary and pigmentation appear to influence body area identification.

6.

Can We Convert Thin Hair to Thick Hair?

One cannot change the size of their hair follicles. If one was born with thin hair, it is genetics. One cannot change the texture of the hair.

7.

What Can Induce Hair Naturally?

The following may help in inducing hair growth; they are:
- Massaging the scalp with hair masks and oils stimulates the scalp that may improve hair thickness.
- Coconut oil.
- Fish oil.
- Onion juice.
- Viviscal.
- Aloe Vera gel.
- Rosemary oil.

8.

Will the Balding Be Reversed?

Effective treatments for a few types of hair loss are available. One could reverse the hair loss or at least slow it down. However, in some conditions, such as patchy hair loss, hair may regrow without treatment within a year. Treatment for hair loss includes hair replantation surgery and medication.

9.

What Can Trigger New Hair Growth?

One cannot change the number of hair follicles to naturally increase hair density by consuming a well-balanced diet that includes the hair growth nutrients such as vitamin c, biotin, and protein. However, one can reduce hair damage by avoiding permanent hair dye and by avoiding drying the hair with heat.

10.

What Helps in Promoting Rapid Hair Growth?

For promoting rapid hair growth, one can have the hair grow faster and stronger by following the steps below:
- Taking care of the braids and extensions.
- By handling the hair with care.
- By getting the hair trimmed regularly.
- By cooling it down, avoid heat styling machines that may damage and break the hair.

11.

How Can One Treat Thinning of Hair?

Minoxidil (rogaine) is a liquid or foam for application on the scalp. One can purchase it from the pharmacy without any prescription. However, one has to use it for several months before one's hair thickens. If one needs to regrow hair for that, one should continue to use minoxidil; if one stops taking minoxidil, hair loss will reoccur.

12.

What Are the Foods That Help in Regrowing New Hair?

Below are the best foods for hair growth. They are:
- Fatty fish.
- Spinach.
- Nuts. 
- Seeds. 
- Sweet potatoes.
- Berries are loaded with vitamins, and beneficial compounds can support hair growth.
- Eggs are a great source of protein and biotin, the two nutrients necessary for hair growth.
- Avocados.

13.

What Has Been Proven Scientifically for Thickening Hair?

A few things help hair in different ways are,
- Vitamin C.
- The acid in oranges.
- Pectin.
These vitamins and nutrients improve the hair's natural sheen, making it appear thicker.
Source Article IclonSourcesSource Article Arrow
Dr. Sandhya Narayanan Kutty
Dr. Sandhya Narayanan Kutty

Venereology

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