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Previous Volume 341:491-497 August 12, 1999 Number 7 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Hair has many useful biologic functions, including protection from the elements and dispersion of sweat-gland products (e.g., pheromones). It also has psychosocial importance in our society, and patients with hair loss (alopecia) (Table 1) or excessive hair growth often suffer tremendously. Not surprisingly, the demand for drugs that alter hair growth and appearance has led to a multibillion-dollar industry, yet few drugs that are effective for these purposes are available. However, recent progress in our understanding of the biology and pathology of hair follicles should lead to more effective therapies for disorders of hair growth.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 1. Glossary of Terms . . . [Full Text of this Article]

 
Structure and Function of Hair Follicles

Morphogenesis of Hair Follicles

Hair-Follicle Cycling

Anagen Stage

Catagen Stage

Telogen Stage

Hormonal and Neural Factors Controlling Hair Growth

Pathobiology of Disorders of Hair Growth

Therapeutic Challenges

Source Information

From the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (R.P.); and the Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia (G.C.).

Address reprint requests to Dr. Paus at the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinstr. 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany, or at paus@uke.uni-hamburg.de.

References

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