What Is The Hair Follicle? – In the depths of our scalp are small structures where hair grows, which are called hair follicles. In this object, we will explain what a hair follicle is, and, in addition, you will learn about its relationship with hair loss.
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Hair Follicle: What Is It?
Hair follicles are small sac-like structures found deep in the scalp and give rise to hair. Therefore, the function of the hair follicle is to produce hair.
To precisely understand how the hair follicle can generate each of our hair, it is necessary to understand its anatomy.
Hair Follicle Anatomy
This small structure, anchored in the skin and, specifically, in the dermis, is one of the most active in the body. Specifically, the hair follicle anatomy includes the following structures:
Bulb: it is the deepest area of the hair follicle; it houses the cells and other components that nourish the hair. In it, the cell division that originates the hair generated.
The stem is composed of medullary cells and measures 50 to 120 micrometres.
The follicular or dermal papilla is composed of fibroblastic cells responsible for forming hair and fulfilling the hair cycles.
Follicular canal: this area is where the hair is born.
The Erector muscle is located within the dermal papillae and reaches the hair follicle.
Sebaceous glands: they are accountable for producing sebum to lubricate the hair and condition it, both it and the surrounding skin.
Hair Follicle Cycle
Throughout our lives, we have hair that is growing while, at the same time, others are falling or about to fall. All this happens because the hair usually goes through different phases that you will learn about below:
Anagen Stage
The anagen phase is the primary stage of the hair cycle. It has a variable duration, and, specifically, hair growth occurs in it. However, in this phase, the hair can affected by situations external to our body, such as stress or the intake of certain medications.
Cartagena Phase
During the catagen phase, the follicle cells stop their activity. Therefore, hair growth also ceases. The catagen stage is the “transition stage,” and its duration is relatively short (1 month or a little more).
Telogen Phase
When the telogen phase arrives, our hair begins to fall out naturally (when combing it or in other situations that accelerate its fall). After this phase, our body repeats the hair cycle in its first phase to start hair growth again.
It is significant to note that our hair is during the first phase of the cycle ( anagen phase ). However, when the telogen phase arrives, it weakens and immediately falls off.
Even though the hair falls out, our hair follicles remain in our dermis, and the matrix found in the bulb prepares to repeat the cycle of hair growth.
It would help if you also reserved in mind that the rhythm of each follicle is different, which is why our hair (in everyday situations) does not fall out in the exact amounts or at the same time. Thanks to this situation, although our hair falls out for natural reasons, we can enjoy thick hair.
Relationship Of The Hair Follicle With Hair Loss
Changes are closely related to hair loss when there is an imbalance in the hair Sac cycle. Fortunately, these alterations can controlled and treated.
The hair Sac can restore after undergoing degeneration. However, this procedure must performed through specific treatments indicated by experts and vary according to each case. Therefore, our recommendation is to go to a specialist.
Finally, it would help if you considered that only some medications could restore the hair follicle. About hair loss treatments, these will only be responsible for normalizing the hair cycle so that it does not run out before the number of hair cycles that each follicle has genetically programmed to generate new hair.