HAIR: IN A FEW WORDS

Hair has a unique and complex structure. It should be considered an organ in its own right, with aesthetic, protective, and thermoregulatory roles.

HAIR FOLLICLE AND HAIR CYCLE

The hair follicle is an appendage of the skin of the skull. It evolves into either down or hair depending on a number of parameters including age and hormonal status.

An average adult human head of hair comprises nearly 120,000 hairs, which are in constant renewal alternating phases of growth, involution, rest and then fall out. Every day, on average, 50 to 100 hairs fall out physiologically.

Hair grows irregularly and unsynchronised, in the form of cycles (15 to 20 in a lifetime) punctuated by phases of varying duration.


Three phases follow one another:

  • The ANAGEN phase: growth phaseHair grows at an average rate of 1cm per month. Normally, 85 to 90% of follicles are in this phase at any given time. This phase lasts between 2 and 6 years. This intense production phase requires growth factors, nutritional supplements (iron, proteins, zinc, vitamins) and hormones (oestrogens and thyroid hormones in particular).
  • The CATAGEN phase: involution, decay phaseThe hair stops growing, but remains in place. Statistically, 2% of follicles are in this phase at any one time. This phase lasts about 3 weeks.
  • The TELOGEN phase: resting phase

The hair has died and will be replaced by a new hair, which will in due course cause its predecessor to fall out. Around 10% of follicles are in this phase at any one time. This phase lasts approximately 2 to 6 months.

FOLLICULAR UNITS

On the scalp, random groupings of 1 to 4 hairs commonly called follicular units (FUs) grow around a common base.
On average, the most numerous UFs are those of 2 or 3 hairs.
They are very important in hair implantology because it is the unit of measurement used to define the density of hair in the areas of collection and in the bald areas, but also the number of grafts necessary to obtain an optimal and natural result during an intervention.

Number and density

Depending on each patient, their age and ethnic origin, we observe a variable number of hairs and therefore UFs.
Schematically and on average, patients:

  • Leucoderms (Caucasians) have approximately 120,000 hairs or nearly 55,000 UF, which can offer densities of 60 to 110 UF/cm2.
  • Xanthodermas (Asians) have about 85,000 hairs.
  • Melanoderms (African American) have about 60,000 hairs.


Density is a fundamental parameter in hair implantology . It allows us to evaluate the donor area of grafts (at the back and sides of the head) which could be a limiting factor in the case of an area too poor in UF, as well as the recipient area.


HAIR: THICKNESS, STYLE AND COLOR

These three criteria are important whenever hair loss occurs.


  • Thickness : Fine hair will have less coverage than thick hair.
  • Color : For equal hair density, the contrast between a hair and the underlying skin will be essential. For example, for black hair, the contrast will be stronger on white skin than on black skin, making baldness at the same stage more visible.
  • Style : Curly hair will have more coverage than straight hair.
Make an appointment

It's not always easy to take the first step.
We are here to support you.

Vous avez besoin d'aide ?