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- Title
African hair length in a school population: a clue to disease pathogenesis?
- Authors
Khumalo, N. P.; Gumedze, F.
- Abstract
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.
- Subjects
HAIR; HAIRCUTTING; HAIRDRESSING; SCHOOL children; HAIR manifestations of general diseases
- Publication
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2007, Vol 6, Issue 3, p144
- ISSN
1473-2130
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1473-2165.2007.00326.x