From Follicle to Flow: The Science Behind Hair Growth
Imagine your scalp as a living garden, where each hair strand is like a plant, and the follicle is its seed. But unlike plants that grow from soil, hair grows from a complex mini- organ beneath the skin, powered by biology, biochemistry, and time. Let’s dive deep— microscopically deep— into how our hair actually grows. The Hair Follicle: Nature’s Bio- Factory At the heart of hair growth is the hair follicle , a dynamic structure embedded in the dermis. Each follicle functions like a tiny 3D printer, constantly producing hair fibers from cells, proteins, and lipids. On average, your scalp hosts about 100,000 hair follicles , each going through its own independent life cycle. Three Key Parts of a Hair Follicle: Dermal Papilla ( DP): Located at the base, this acts like the “ brain” of the follicle. It receives blood supply and nutrients and sends growth signals via chemical messengers. Matrix Cells: These rapidly dividing cells surround the dermal papilla and are respons...