Hair Growth

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Hair Growth

Hair growth is a cyclical phenomenon. Our hair grows, eventually falls from our heads, and then begins to grow again. However, this biological process is not as simple as it may seem.

Actually, the hair follicle growth cycle has been widely studied and scientists have identified 4 different stages:

  1. The anagen phase
  2. The catagen phase
  3. The telogen phase
  4. The exogen phase

During the anagen phase, the hair shaft grows. This stage involves about 90% of the hair follicles* and lasts for about 2 to 6 years. 

Then, during the catagen phase, the hair shaft continues to grow but prepares to shed. This phase typically lasts between 2 weeks and 1 month, and affects about 2% of the hair follicles*.

In the telogen phase, which lasts around 5 to 6 weeks, the hair shaft is resting, i.e., waiting to shed from the scalp. Only 2% of the hair follicles* are at this stage.

And finally, during the 2 to 5 months of the exogen phase, the hair shaft falls away as a new hair shaft begins to grow.

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*These percentages correspond to hair follicles in the scalp.

Our Models & Assays To Address Hair Growth

MODELS

QIMA Life Sciences has developed several in vitro and ex vivo models to help you evaluate your compound or finished product.

2D In vitro models:

  • Human follicle dermal papilla fibroblasts (HFDPC)
  • Outer root sheath keratinocytes (ORSK)

3D In vitro models:

  • Dermal papilla (DP) spheroids
  • Hair follicle organoids (DPF-NHEK/ORSK organoids)

Ex vivo models:

  • Hair follicle organ culture
  • Scalp skin organ culture

All our models can be treated with various extrinsic stresses:

  • Dust (pollution)
  • UVA and UVB (UV radiation)
  • H2O2 (oxidative stress)

READOUT PARAMETERS

We evaluate the following standard readout parameters by morphology, immunohistology, and quantitative (immuno-)histomorphometry:

  • Macroscopic hair cycle staging (number of hair follicle in anagen VI and catagen)
  • Hair follicle elongation (correlates with hair shaft production)
  • Hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation and apoptosis
  • Microscopic hair cycle staging and score (number of hair follicles in anagen VI, early, mid, and late catagen)
  • Hair cycle independent hair follicle pigmentation
  • Expression of growth factors regulating hair cycle

In addition, using RNAseq, qRT-PCR, and/or in situ hybridization, we can analyze:

  • Expression of molecules involved in anagen/catagen convertion

Also, we can assess these within specific compartments from skin or hair tissue sections following laser capture microdissection.

* Additional readout parameters are available, and customized experiments can be designed to meet the needs of our customers.

Scientific Publications on Hair Growth

Platt et al., 2022, Bertolini et al., 2020, Jimenez et al., 2020, Szabó et al.,2020, Fischer et al., 2020, Hundt et al., 2020, Alam et al., 2020, Laufer etal., 2020, Lisztes et al., 2020, Chéret et al., 2018, Haslam et al., 2018, Alam et al., 2018, Parodi et al, 2018, Hawkshaw et al., 2018, Olah et al., 2016, Langan et al., 2015, Kloepper et al.,2010

Discover our Documentary Resources

Take a look at our
Hair Growth Flyer

Take a look at our
Hair Skinification Flyer

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