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African hair growth parameters
1Laboratoires Recherche Appliquée et Développement, L'Oréal, 66 rue Henri Barbusse, 92117 Clichy cedex, France. gloussouarn@recherche.loreal.com
The British Journal of Dermatology
|September 5, 2001
Summary
African hair growth differs significantly from Caucasian hair. This study reveals lower hair density and slower growth rates in Africans, despite potential trends toward increased hair loss.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Trichology
- Human Hair Biology
Background:
- Limited research exists on African hair growth parameters compared to Caucasian hair.
- Understanding ethnic hair characteristics is crucial for accurate dermatological assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively evaluate key hair growth characteristics in individuals of African descent.
- To compare these findings with established data from Caucasian populations.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 38 healthy young adults (19 males, 19 females) native to Africa.
- Phototrichograms were utilized to measure hair density, telogen percentage, and hair growth rate across three scalp regions (vertex, temporal, occipital).
Main Results:
- African hair density was found to be lower than in Caucasians (190 ± 40 vs. 227 ± 55 hairs/cm²).
- The rate of hair growth was significantly slower in Africans (256 ± 44 µm/day) compared to Caucasians (396 ± 55 µm/day).
- Higher telogen percentages were observed in African hair (18 ± 9%) versus Caucasian hair (14 ± 11%), with variations noted by gender and scalp region.
Conclusions:
- Significant ethnic differences in hair growth parameters exist between African and Caucasian populations.
- These findings suggest potential implications for hair loss trends and alopecia development in individuals of African descent.