The Biology of Hair Growth

Book excerpt: The Biology of Hair Growth is based on a conference on The Biology of Hair Growth, sponsored by the British Society for Research on Ageing, held at the Royal College of Surgeons, in London, 7-9 August 1957. The papers presented at this conference, and a few others, have been gathered in this book to serve as a source reference for all those interested in research on hair and hair growth. The application of modern methods in histology, cytology, histochemistry, physiology, electron microscopy, the use of radioactive isotopes, and modern biochemical techniques have given greater insight into the phenomena of growth and differentiation of hair follicles than ever before. The book opens with a chapter on the embryology of hair. Separate chapters follow on the anatomy and histochemistry of the hair follicle; the electron microscopy of keratinized tissues; the chemistry of keratinization; the mitotic activity of the follicle; and the the vascularity and patterns of growth of hair follicles. Subsequent chapters deal with behavior of pigment cells and epithelial cells in the hair follicle; the nature of hair pigment; the effects of nutrition on hair growth; and effects of chemical agents, ionizing radiation, and particular illnesses on hair roots.