Hair Structure Explaination By Hair Transplant Clinic in India

Hair Structure

HairnSenses explains about the proper hair structure here. You can get all important points about hairs in man. Dr. Sangay who is the most experienced surgeon in best hair transplant clinic in Delhi which is known to be Hair & Senses. Here are some points:

 

1). A hair can be defined as a slender, thread-like outgrowth from a follicle in the skin.

2). The hair is present all over the body, except for the sole, palm, lips.

3). Hair is composed of structural protein called keratin. This is the same kind of protein that makes up the nails and the outer layer of skin.

Hair comprises of three morphological regions—the cuticle, medulla, and cortex

1. An innermost layer or medulla which is only present in large thick hairs.

     2. The middle layer known as the cortex. The cortex provides strength, color and texture of the hair.

3. The outermost layer is known as the cuticle. The cuticle is thin and colorless. It serves as a protector of the cortex.

 

Structure of the hair root

Hair root lies below the skin, which is enclosed within a follicle. At the base of hair follicle is the dermal papilla. The dermal papilla is fed by the blood vessels which carries nourishment to produce new hair. The dermal papilla is very important for the growth of the hair as it contains receptors for male hormones and androgen's. The presence of these receptors is responsible for the androgenic alopecia.

Hair growth cycle

Hair on the scalp grows at a rate of about 6 inches/ year.

At any given time, a random number of hairs will be in various stages of growth and shedding.

There are three stages of hair growth: catagen, telogen, and anagen.

Anagen Phase

The anagen phase is known as the growth phase. It begins in the papilla and can last from two to six years. The span at which the hair remains in this stage of growth is determined by genetics. The longer the hair stays in the anagen phase, the faster and longer it will grow. During this phase, the cells in the papilla divide to produce new hair fibers, and the follicle buries itself into the dermal layer of the skin to nourish the strand. About 85% of the hairs on one's head are in the anagen phase at any given time.

Catagen Phase

The catagen phase, also known as the transitional phase, allows the follicle to renew itself. It lasts for about two weeks. During this time, the hair follicle shrinks due to disintegration and the papilla detaches, cutting the hair strand off from its nourishing blood supply. Ultimately, the follicle is 1/6 its original length, causing the hair shaft to be pushed upward. While hair is not growing during this phase, the length of the terminal fibers increases when the follicle pushes them upward.

Telogen Phase

During the telogen, or resting phase the follicle remains dormant anywhere from 1–4 months. 10 to 15% of the hairs on one's head are in this phase of growth at any given time. In this phase the epidermal cells lining the follicle channel continue to grow as normal and may accumulate around the base of the hair, temporarily anchoring it in place and preserving the hair for its natural purpose without using the body's resources.

The anagen phase begins again once the telogen phase is complete. The dermal papilla and the base of the follicle join together again and a new hair begins to form. If the old hair has not already been shed the new hair pushes the old one out and the growth cycle starts all over again. The process results in normal hair loss known as shedding.