Hair Length (hair + length)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The long and the short of it: evidence that FGF5 is a major determinant of canine ,hair'-itability

ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2006
D. J. E. Housley
Summary Hair length in dogs has been known for many years to be primarily controlled by a limited number of genes, but none of the genes have been identified. One of these genes produces a recessively inherited long-haired phenotype that has been thought to explain the bulk of hair-length variation among many breeds. Sequence analysis of the FGF5 gene in short and long-haired corgis resulted in the identification of two coding region differences: a duplication in a relatively non-conserved region of the gene and a missense mutation, resulting in the substitution of Phe for Cys, in a highly conserved region. Genotyping of 218 dogs from three breeds fixed for long hair, eight breeds fixed for short hair and five breeds in which long hair is segregating provided evidence that the missense mutation is associated with the hair-length differences among these breeds. [source]


Effect of Wax Epilation Before Hair Removal With a Long-Pulsed Alexandrite Laser: A Pilot Study

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2003
Michael S. Lehrer MD
Background. Recent reports indicate that laser hair removal is most effective on anagen hairs. However, no published trials have examined laser epilation after hair cycle synchronization. Objective. To evaluate the potential for enhanced laser hair removal after the induction of telogen hairs into anagen by wax epilation. Methods. We identified four 2.5-cm square areas with equivalent hair length and density on the backs of 13 dark-haired white men. To induce typically telogen hairs into anagen, two areas on each patient were wax epilated. Two weeks later, one waxed area and one unwaxed area were treated with a long-pulsed alexandrite laser. One month after laser treatment, a subjective comparison was made based on hair density, length, and thickness. Results. In 12 of 13 patients, lasered areas that had been pretreated with wax epilation were clearer of hair as compared with areas that had been pretreated by shaving (P=0.0034). No significant difference was noted between waxed and unwaxed control areas that had not been laser treated (P=1.0). Conclusion. Wax epilation 2 weeks before laser hair removal improves cosmetic outcomes at 1 month. This effect may be secondary to the recruitment and heightened sensitivity of early anagen hairs. [source]


Reliability and repeatability of thermographic examination and the normal thermographic image of the thoracolumbar region in the horse

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2004
B. V. TUNLEY
Summary Reasons for performing study: Thermographic imaging is an increasingly used diagnostic tool. When performing thermography, guidelines suggest that horses should be left for 10,20 mins to ,acclimatise' to the thermographic imaging environment, with no experimental data to substantiate this recommendation. In addition, little objective work has been published on the repeatability and reliability of the data obtained. Thermography has been widely used to identify areas of abnormal body surface temperature in horses with back pathology; however, no normal data is available on the thermographic ,map' of the thoracolumbar region with which to compare horses with suspected pathology. Objectives: To i) investigate whether equilibration of the thermographic subject was required and, if so, how long it should take, ii) investigate what factors affect time to equilibration, iii) investigate the repeatability and reliability of the technique and iv) generate a topographic thermographic ,map' of the thoracolumbar region. Methods: A total of 52 horses were used. The following investigations were undertaken: thermal imaging validation, i.e. detection of movement around the baseline of an object of constant temperature; factors affecting equilibration; pattern reproducibility during equilibration and over time (n = 25); and imaging of the thoracolumbar region (n = 27). Results: A 1°C change was detected in an object of stable temperature using this detection system, i.e the ,noise' in the system. The average time taken to equilibrate, i.e. reach a plateau temperature, was 39 mins (40.2 in the gluteal region, 36.2 in lateral thoracic region and 40.4 in metacarpophalangeal region). Only 19% of horses reached plateau within 10,20 mins. Of the factors analysed hair length and difference between the external environment and the internal environment where the measurements were being taken both significantly affected time to plateau (P<0.05). However, during equilibration, the thermographic patterns obtained did not change, nor when assessed over a 7 day period. A ,normal' map of the surface temperature of the thoracolumbar region has been produced, demonstrating that the midline is the hottest, with a fall off of 3°C either side of the midline. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that horses may not need time to equilibrate prior to taking thermographic images and that thermographic patterns are reproducible over periods up to 7 days. A topographical thermographic ,map' of the thoracolumbar region has been obtained. Potential relevance: Clinicians can obtain relevant thermographic images without the need for prior equilibration and can compare cases with thoracolumbar pathology to a normal topographic thermographic map. [source]


Influence of prostaglandin F2, and its analogues on hair regrowth and follicular melanogenesis in a murine model

EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2005
S. Sasaki
Abstract:, Latanoprost and isopropyl unoprostone, which are analogues of prostaglandin F2, (PGF2,), are promising drugs for the reduction of intra-ocular pressure. However, they have been reported to have side effects, including hypertrichosis and hyperpigmentation of the eyelashes and periocular skin, and occasionally poliosis. In order to investigate these effects further, PGF2,, latanoprost and isopropyl unoprostone were applied to the dorsal skin of 7-week-old C57BL/6 mice, and hair length was measured during the treatment. The three molecules all showed stimulatory effects on the murine hair follicles and the follicular melanocytes in both the telogen and anagen stages, and stimulated conversion from the telogen to the anagen phase. PGE2 is known to act synergistically with PGF2,, and hence the influence of PGE2 was also examined. PGE2 did not induce distinct telogen-to-anagen conversion, but showed moderate growth stimulatory effects on early anagen hair follicles. In addition, we observed a case of hypertrichosis and trichomegaly with an excess of melanogenesis, leading to the emergence of white hair, suggesting that poliosis can occur as a side effect of eye treatment with solutions of PGF2, analogues. The stimulatory effects of PGF2,and PGE2 on hair growth have been discussed with regard to the role of protein kinase C and mast cells. [source]


Use of image analysis techniques for objective quantification of the efficacy of different hair removal methods

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 2 2007
S. Bielfeldt
In the field of consumer-used cosmetics for hair removal and hair growth reduction, there is a need for improved quantitative methods to enable the evaluation of efficacy and claim support. Optimized study designs and investigated endpoints are lacking to compare the efficacy of standard methods, like shaving or plucking, with new methods and products, such as depilating instruments or hair-growth-reducing cosmetics. Non-invasive image analysis, using a high-performance microscope combined with an optimized image analysis tool, was investigated to assess hair growth. In one step, high-resolution macrophotographs of the legs of female volunteers after shaving and plucking with cold wax were compared to observe short-term hair regrowth. In a second step, images obtained after plucking with cold wax were taken over a long-term period to assess the time, after which depilated hairs reappeared on the skin surface. Using image analysis, parameters like hair length, hair width, and hair projection area were investigated. The projection area was found to be the parameter most independent of possible image artifacts such as irregularities in skin or low contrast due to hair color. Therefore, the hair projection area was the most appropriate parameter to determine the time of hair regrowth. This point of time is suitable to assess the efficacy of different hair removal methods or hair growth reduction treatments by comparing the endpoint after use of the hair removal method to be investigated to the endpoint after simple shaving. The closeness of hair removal and visible signs of skin irritation can be assessed as additional quantitative parameters from the same images. Discomfort and pain rating by the volunteers complete the set of parameters, which are required to benchmark a new hair removal method or hair-growth-reduction treatment. Image analysis combined with high-resolution imaging techniques is a powerful tool to objectively assess parameters like hair length, hair width, and projection area. To achieve reliable data and to reduce well known image-analysis artifacts, it was important to optimize the technical equipment for use on human skin and to improve image analysis by adaptation of the image-processing procedure to the different skin characteristics of individuals, like skin color, hair color, and skin structure. [source]


African hair length in a school population: a clue to disease pathogenesis?

JOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
FCDerm, N P Khumalo MBChB
Summary Background, Anecdotal data suggest that combed natural African hair reaches a length steady state. Easier grooming and anticipated long hair have made relaxers popular. Objectives, These hypotheses were tested in a cross-sectional survey of 1042 school children using a piloted questionnaire and hair length measurements done on four scalp regions. Results, Participants included 45% boys and 55% girls. Girls consider length important for hairstyle choice (P < 0.0001). There was no difference in mean length at 2 to 5 vs. > 5 years (P = 0.3) and at 1 to < 2 vs. 2 to 5 years (P = 0.99), suggesting that a steady state is reached within 1 year after a hair cut for combed natural hair [mean, 5.1 cm (4.3)]. Relaxed hair reached length steady state > 2 years after a haircut [mean, 10.9 cm (3.6)], was longer than natural hair (P < 0.0001), shorter than expected, and significantly shorter on the occiput than the rest of the scalp (P < 0.0001). Conclusions, Persistently short combed natural hair years after a hair cut suggests that breakage eventually equals new growth (i.e., steady state), which is likely to be variable. Relaxed hair, irrespective of last haircut, is also short; chemical damage as a limit to potential lengths needs confirmation. Relatively short occipital relaxed hair could be a clue to disease pathogenesis. [source]