Substance P prolongs human hair growth in vitro

Eyelash growth after enucleation and evisceration surgery

Acquired eyelash hypertrichosis is associated with medications, systemic diseases, and ocular inflammation. The authors present a study showing that eyelash length is significantly longer following enucleation and evisceration surgery compared with the contralateral side. This may be related to factors involved in postoperative conjunctival and orbital inflammation and healing.

Long eyelashes in a case series of 93 children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis

OBJECTIVE

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic conjunctivitis that affects children mainly in temperate areas, with exacerbations in spring and summer. Eyelashes provide natural protection for the eyes from sunshine, wind, and foreign bodies. These factors induce a worsening of signs and symptoms in VKC, whereas mechanical protection of the eyes produces relief. The aim of this study was to evaluate eyelash length in a large series of VKC patients and in age- and gender-matched healthy subjects.

METHODS

Upper eyelash length was measured in 93 VKC patients (mean age: 8.7 years; range: 4-18 years) with a digital caliper. History, clinical form, type of presentation, degree of severity, and drug therapy were evaluated. Skin tests and serum-specific immunoglobulin E for common allergens, serum-total immunoglobulin E, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, and serum eosinophil cationic protein were determined. Two age- and gender-matched control subjects for each VKC patient underwent the same eyelash measurement.

RESULTS

The upper eyelashes were significantly longer in VKC patients than in control subjects (mean +/- SD: 8.9 +/- 1.17 mm vs 7.9 +/- 1.07 mm). In healthy subjects, a negative correlation was found between eyelash length and age. With multivariate analysis, unlike control subjects, the eyelash length in VKC patients did not correlate with age, was positively correlated with the degree of severity of VKC, and was negatively correlated with the use of topical cyclosporine.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with VKC had longer eyelashes than healthy matched subjects. The ocular inflammation, by unknown chemical mediators, was likely responsible for the excessive eyelash growth. The finding may represent a defensive mechanism against physical agents that might have a crucial role in the etiopathogenesis of this disease.

Estrogens and the hair follicle. Ostrogene und der Haarfollikel

While it is undisputed that estrogens (1 beta-estradiol, E2) are mainly involved in skin physiology and operate as potent hair growth modulators, our knowledge about the estrogen target cells in skin and exact signaling pathways is still very limited. The current review provides an overview of estrogen effects on hair follicle cycling, cutaneous expression of estrogen receptors, and potential functions of estrogens in hair biology. We discuss potential target genes of estrogen receptor-mediated signaling in the skin, explore the interplay of estrogens with other hormones, growth factors and enzymes, and define major open questions in this intriguing and far too long neglected area of hair research.