Studies on Hair, With Special Reference to Hypertrichosis

Genetic basis of hair histomorphological variables

“…Care was taken to select families where at least one son and one daughter of 14 years of age or older were available. This was done to avoid growth changes of human scalp hair, especially during early and late childhood (Danforth, 1925;Wynkoop, 1929;Trotter and Duggins, 1948;Duggins and Trotter, 1951). In some instances, hair samples could not be collected from all individuals of the same family.…”

Androgens and human hair growth

“…The androgenic response depends on the body site, varying from stimulation in the beard to non-response in the eyelashes and regression in the scalp, despite presumably receiving the same circulating lcvcls of hormones. Even within responding areas, the follicles differ in sensitivity; on the face, terminal hair appears first on the upper lip, particularly the sides, the ccntre of the chin and just in front of the ears (Danforth, 1925) and only later on the rest of the beard area. The actual responses of follicles which produce terminal hairs under androgen stimulation also vary; beard growth normally requires adult circulating androgens, while axillary and female pattern pubic hair follicles respond to post-pubertal female androgens (Leshin & Wilson, 1981) ( see Table I).…”

Familial hypertrichosis cubiti: hairy elbows syndrome.

“…For instance, Miss Belle Carter, the 'Lady with a Mane' had an area of hypertrichosis associated with a naevus pilosus over the upper dorsal spine (Danforth, 1925). Circumscribed hypertrichosis may be sporadic, and rare familial varieties have also been 158 described (Butterworth and Strean, 1962).…”