Closeup of a shed hair strand with bulb end [PIC]

• Closeup of a shed hair strand with bulb end [PIC]
  

  

  Absalom

  
  

  There has been mention in the past here regarding shed hair strands having a bulb on the end. I got curious as to what these bulbs look like. Here is an image on the left showing the bulb at the end of that shed hair. That hair is 60 microns thick just above the bulb. You can see that the bulb is about double the diameter of the hair itself.

  I copied the scale of my reticle with a computer drawing program, and made sure it was correct. (You can see the scales side by side in black.) I then copied it in yellow and moved it to the right places. The other image was done the same way but I coloured the scale blue.

  The right image is the same hair 75 centimeters from the bulb. Notice that the hair is 68 microns thick. Notice the weathering damage to the cuticle. Many of those overlapping scales are damaged and some are missing.

  It would seem that an actively growing hair will slim down before ceasing to grow and then shed. I will have to check several hairs to see if this is consistant or just a fluke.

  I used a microscope and digital camera to get these images.

  Scott

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  • Re: Closeup of a shed hair strand with bulb end
    

    

    Bill S.

    
    

    Isn't the bulb the skin from the hair follicle?

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    • Re: Closeup of a shed hair strand with bulb end
      

      

      Absalom

      
      

      Isn't the bulb the skin from the hair follicle?

      http://www.pg.com/science/haircare/hair_twh_12.htm

      It is made of cells formed inside the follicle. This is from the Proctor & Gamble hair science site.

      Scott

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  • Re: Closeup of a shed hair strand with bulb end
    

    

    Justin

    
    

    Hey Scott

    Just so fascinating the things you come-up with on your own with these studies. The next step would probably include a telescope of some kind and then you would understand more about hair than has ever been known. Just amazing!

    I almost think (and only if you have the time) that if you were to write up so many of your factual findings that it would be ever so interesting to have put in the "links" for the guys that would really like some in-depth study from someone who KNOWS what he is talking about.

    Thanks for posting this Scott and hope all is going well with you this evening.

    Take care my friend.

    Justin~

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    • Re: Closeup of a shed hair strand with bulb end
      

      

      Absalom

      
      

      Hey Scott

      Just so fascinating the things you come-up with on your own with these studies. The next step would probably include a telescope of some kind and then you would understand more about hair than has ever been known. Just amazing!

      I almost think (and only if you have the time) that if you were to write up so many of your factual findings that it would be ever so interesting to have put in the "links" for the guys that would really like some in-depth study from someone who KNOWS what he is talking about.

      Thanks for posting this Scott and hope all is going well with you this evening.

      Take care my friend.

      Justin~

      I am doing reasonably alright.

      Here is a site from Proctor & Gamble dedicated to hair science. It has over 100 pages of information. I have gotten a wealth of great information from this site. Everyone at MLHH who wants to properly care for their hair ought to read through this.

      http://www.pg.com/science/haircare/hair_twh_toc.htm

      Scott

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  • That's cool! We oughta do that in science! (n/t)
    

    

    CEEtheDinoman

    
    

    (n/t)

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  • Re: Closeup of a shed hair strand with bulb end
    

    

    John.B

    
    

    Truely amazing...I think CERN have a particle accelerator in Switzerland!

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    • Re: Closeup of a shed hair strand with bulb end
      

      

      Absalom

      
      

      Truely amazing...I think CERN have a particle accelerator in Switzerland!

      Yeah, and hopefully they don't create a mini black hole which would swallow up the Earth. BTW, I don't think that could really happen.

      Scott

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