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Showing posts from May, 2025

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...

Understanding Hair: The Science of Growth, Loss, and Prevention

Hair is more than just a feature of beauty or a means of self- expression— it's a complex biological structure with distinct physiological functions. From offering thermoregulation to acting as a sensory organ, human hair serves both practical and evolutionary purposes. Despite this, hair loss is one of the most common aesthetic and psychological concerns faced by men and women alike. In this article, we will explore: Why humans have hair The anatomy and physiology of hair roots The science behind hair growth Age- related hair loss and its causes Evidence- based strategies to prevent hair loss Let’s delve into the fascinating biology of hair. I. Why Do Humans Have Hair? From an evolutionary perspective, humans have significantly less body hair than our primate ancestors. But why do we retain hair on specific parts of our body? 1. Thermoregulation Hair helps regulate body temperature. For example: Scalp hair protects the head from solar radiation and pre...