Hair, as a vital component of the human's appearance, plays an important role in producing digital characters. However, the generation of realistic hairstyles usually needs professional digital artists and/or complex hardware, and the procedure is often time-consuming due to its numerous numbers, and diverse hairstyles. Thus, automatic capture of real-world hairstyles with easy input can greatly benefit the production pipeline. State-of-the-art 3D hair modeling systems require either multi-view images or a single- view image with complementary synthetic 3D hair models. For the multi-view image based 3D hair reconstruction, the capture systems are often made of a large number of cameras, projectors, light sources, and are usually in the indoor environment, which prevents popular use of the methods. On the contrary, single-view image based methods only use simple capture devices, e.g.; a handheld camera. However, a front view containing a face is often required and the resulting 3D hair strand reconstruction quality is compromised. Meanwhile, several hairstyles can not be easily modeled, such as braids and kinky hairstyles (afro-textured hairs), even though they are very common in real life. In this dissertation, we implement a single-view imaged based 3D hair modeling system, where our hair reconstruction is done through 2D hair analysis and 3D strands creation, which benefits from both traditional image processing techniques and the strengths of machine learning. Our 2D hair analysis is used to learn the attributes of input hairs, including 2D hair strands, detailed hairstyle patterns, and the corresponding parametric representation (which includes braids and kinky hairs), and braid structures. Simultaneously 3D hair strands are generated using deep-learning models. Our method is different from previous methods as our generated hair models can be modified by controlling the attributes and parameters we learned from the 2D hair recognition/analysis system. Our system does not require a face to be shown in the input image and to our best knowledge, our work is the first work that can reconstruct 3D braided hair and kinky hair given a single-view image. Qualitatively and quantitatively assessments indicate that our system can generate a variety of realistic 3D hairstyle models.

No / We have previously shown that the ubiquitously expressed lysosomal cysteine protease, cathepsin L (CTSL), is essential for skin and hair follicle homeostasis. Here we examine the effect of CTSL deficiency on hair follicle development and cycling in ctsl-/- mice by light and electron microscopy, Ki67/terminal dUTP nick-end labeling, and trichohyalin immunofluorescence. Hair follicle morphogenesis in ctsl-/- mice was associated with several abnormalities. Defective terminal differentiation of keratinocytes occurred during the formation of the hair canal, resulting in disruption of hair shaft outgrowth. Both proliferation and apoptosis levels in keratinocytes and melanocytes were higher in ctsl-/- than in ctsl+/+ hair follicles. The development of the hair follicle pigmentary unit was disrupted by vacuolation of differentiating melanocytes. Hair cycling was also abnormal in ctsl-/- mice. Final stages of hair follicle morphogenesis and the induction of hair follicle cycling were retarded. Thereafter, these follicles exhibited a truncated resting phase (telogen) and a premature entry into the first growth phase. Further abnormalities of telogen development included the defective anchoring of club hairs in the skin, which resulted in their abnormal shedding. Melanocyte vacuolation was again apparent during the hair cycle-associated reconstruction of the hair pigmentary unit. A hallmark of these ctsl-/- mice was the severe disruption in the exiting of hair shafts to the skin surface. This was mostly because of a failure of the inner root sheath (keratinocyte layer next to the hair shaft) to fully desquamate. These changes resulted in a massive dilation of the hair canal and the abnormal routing of sebaceous gland products to the skin surface. In summary, this study suggests novel roles for cathepsin proteases in skin, hair, and pigment biology. Principal target tissues that may contain protein substrate(s) for this cysteine protease include the developing hair cone, inner root sheath, anchoring apparatus of the telogen club, and organelles of lysosomal origin (eg, melanosomes).

yes / We report a genome-wide association scan in over 6,000 Latin Americans for features of scalp hair (shape, colour, greying, balding) and facial hair (beard thickness, monobrow, eyebrow thickness). We found 18 signals of association reaching genome-wide significance (P values 5 × 10−8 to 3 × 10−119), including 10 novel associations. These include novel loci for scalp hair shape and balding, and the first reported loci for hair greying, monobrow, eyebrow and beard thickness. A newly identified locus influencing hair shape includes a Q30R substitution in the Protease Serine S1 family member 53 (PRSS53). We demonstrate that this enzyme is highly expressed in the hair follicle, especially the inner root sheath, and that the Q30R substitution affects enzyme processing and secretion. The genome regions associated with hair features are enriched for signals of selection, consistent with proposals regarding the evolution of human hair.

Yes / Pattern Hair Loss (PHL) is a chronic regressive condition of the scalp, where follicular miniaturisation and decreased scalp hair coverage occurs in affected areas. In all PHL cases there is a measurable progressive shortening of the terminal hair growth duration, along with reduced linear growth rates. In both genders, PHL initially shows an increase in short telogen hairs ≤30mm in length, reflecting a cycle completion of under six months in affected terminal hair follicles. To understand the miniaturisation process, we re-examine the dynamics of miniaturisation and ask the question, 'why do miniaturised hair follicles resist treatment?' In the light of recent developments in relation to hair regeneration, we looked back in the older literature for helpful clues 'lost to time' and reprise a 1978 Hermann Pinkus observation of an array of elastin deposits beneath the dermal papilla following subsequent anagen/telogen transitions in male balding, originally described by Arao and Perkins who concluded that these changes provide a "morphologic marker of the entire biologic process in the balding scalp". Thus, we have reviewed the role of the elastin-like bodies in hair pathology and we propose that alterations in elastin architecture may contribute to the failure of vellus-like hair reverting back to their terminal status and may indicate a new area for therapeutic intervention.

This research seeks to examine how authors represent Black/African-American beauty in children’s literature. To conduct my research, I have chosen to review Natasha Tarpley’s I Love My Hair and Carolivia Herron’s Nappy Hair in conjunction with Zora Neale Hurston’s young adult novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. The objective of my thesis aims to highlight the emphasis authors place on Black/African-American children’s hair and the cultural differences in their perceptions of Afro-beauty. Today, society expends extensive time and interest in outward appearances through media: television, radio, digital media, and fashion magazines. As a result, Black/African-American adolescent and teen girls become overly concerned with their beauty and face extreme pressure to fit into the dominant cultures definition of beauty: ‘lighter skin, slender nose, slim body frame, and straight hair.’ Black/African-American girls who fall short of the prescribed characteristics of beauty become psychologically impaired with their self-confidences; sometimes refusing to embrace their own features or invest extensively in beauty care products to conform to the dominant beliefs of beauty. I have provided a summary of the focused literature for the benefit of readers who not have had the opportunity to read the previously mentioned texts along with a sample lesson plan.

O uso de cosméticos com a finalidade de alterar a cor e o formato dos cabelos, como tintura ou alisantes químicos, ocorre com elevada frequência, principalmente entre o público feminino. Porém, esses tratamentos, devido aos seus mecanismos de ação, podem causar danos a estrutura da fibra capilar. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a extensão dos danos provocados pelo tratamento com tintura capilar oxidativa associado ou não ao uso de alisantes químicos a base de tioglicolato de amônio, hidróxido de sódio ou hidróxido de guanidina. Foram desenvolvidas formulações de tintura capilar oxidativa na cor castanho natural nas formas de emulsão, gel e solução, que foram aplicadas a mechas de cabelo virgens. Após nove procedimentos de lavagem, verificou-se qual formulação apresentava maior poder de cobertura e manutenção de cor e brilho. A formulação escolhida (emulsão) foi aplicada a mechas de cabelo virgens associado ou não aos alisantes químicos. As mechas foram avaliadas quanto a alterações de características como diâmetro, resistência à tensão/deformação, perfil térmico de degradação e perda proteica pelo método BCA, validado conforme os parâmetros linearidade, precisão, exatidão, limite de detecção e de quantificação, e especificidade. Observou-se redução do diâmetro do fio (14%) após a aplicação da tintura. Os alisamentos com o hidróxido de guanidina e tioglicolato de amônio promoveram aumento de diâmetro do fio (124,2 e 25,7%, respectivamente), sendo que após aplicação da tintura houve redução (10,7 e 18,8%, respectivamente). O hidróxido de sódio também provocou aumento inicial no diâmetro (106,1%), mas com posterior aumento após aplicação da tintura (8,8%). Quanto aos ensaios de resistência, observou-se elevação de resistência mecânica nas mechas tingidas, em comparação às virgens, o que pode sugerir aumento na massa interna da córtex, devido à deposição dos polímeros coloridos no interior do fio do cabelo. Nas mechas tratadas com os alisantes, houve redução desse parâmetro. Na análise térmica por TG/DTG foram observados quatro picos, sendo que em mechas tingidas houve deslocamento do pico do quarto evento, provavelmente devido à presença do polímero sintético formado no interior do fio de cabelo. O perfil da curva DTA de todos as mechas tratadas com alisante químico foi semelhante e observou-se que para as mechas submetidas à tintura capilar, foi necessária maior energia para ocorrer o último evento exotérmico próximo a 600ºC. A aplicação da tintura teve grande influência sobre a perda proteica na mecha virgem, aumentando este parâmetro em 48%. Entre os produtos de alisamento testados, hidróxido de sódio promoveu maior perda de proteína, cerca de 276% maior do que o cabelo virgem e 207% maior do que o cabelo tingido. Estes resultados podem indicar que, quando se desejar aplicar os dois tipos de produto (alisante e tintura), o tioglicolato de amônio ou hidróxido de guanidina podem ser opções mais interessantes / The use of cosmetics in order to change the color and shape of the hair, such as dye or chemical straighteners, occurs with high frequency , especially among women. However, these treatments, due to their mechanisms of action, can damage the structure of the hair fiber. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of damage caused by treatment with oxidative hair dye with or without the use of chemical straighteners based on ammonium thioglycolate, sodium hydroxide or guanidine hydroxide. Oxidative hair dye formulations in natural brown color were developed in emulsion, gel and solution and were applied to virgin hair tresses. After nine washing procedures, tresses were analyzed in relation to brightness and color maintenance. The chosen formulation (emulsion) was applied to virgin hair tresses associated or not to chemical straighteners. They were evaluated for characteristics such as diameter, tensile stress/strain, thermal degradation profile and protein loss by the BCA method, validated according to the parameters linearity, precision, accuracy , limit of detection and quantification, and specificity. It was observed reduction of the diameter (14%) after application of the dye hair. The straightening with guanidine hydroxide and ammonium thioglycolate caused an increase in diameter of the fiber (124.2 and 25.7%, respectively), while both treatments reduced this parameter (10.7 and 18.8%, respectively). The sodium hydroxide also caused an initial increase in diameter (106.1%), but with further increase after application of the dye (8.8%). In relation to mechanical properties, it was observed increase of resistance in comparison to virgin, which might suggest an increase in mass of the inner cortex due to the deposition of the pigment. In tresses treated with the straighteners, it was observed a reduction of this parameter. In the thermal analysis by TG/DTG four peaks were observed, including a peak shift of the fourth event in dyed tresses probably due to the presence of the synthetic polymer formed within the hair. The profile of the DTA curve of all tresses was similar, except for dyed hair because more energy was required for the last exothermic event at 600°C. The application of the dye had great influence on protein loss in the virgin tresses, increasing this parameter by 48%. Among the straightening products tested, sodium hydroxide promoted greater loss of protein, about 276% greater than the virgin hair, and 207% greater than the dyed hair. These results may indicate that when it is desired to apply both types of product (straightening and dye), ammonium thioglycolate or guanidine hydroxide can be most interesting options.

A recent upsurge exists of archaeologists using ancient hair as a research tool, with new uses of this previously discarded archaeological material being introduced annually. Human hair deteriorates extremely slowly, and since the average modern human sheds approximately one hundred hairs per day, there should be copious amounts of hair debris left behind after humans leave a site; it is just a matter of how much of the hair survives in the archaeological environment. Most loose hair recovered from archaeological sites, however, is found fortuitously and in many cases, because archaeologists were not actively searching for ancient hair, it is possible they tainted the hair they later tested in ways that compromised their data, or more importantly contaminated their samples with modern hair and did not test ancient hair at all. No standardized method has previously been established for searching for ancient hair in an archaeological site. This paper considers (a) a method of soil extraction in the field that avoids contamination with modern hair and elements that might hinder later test data; (b) the processing of samples in the laboratory while continuing sample integrity; (c) identification of the types of soils and environments that are most favorable to hair preservation; and (d) an examination of the relevance of hair extraction from sites including the practicality and research potential. This paper examines five archaeological sites, using three different methods of hair extraction, examining the pros and cons of each. This should enable future researchers to find a method that works best for their particular site. It also analyzes the soil chemistry of the sites in order to study the soil and hair survival relationship, so that scientists can better determine which soils hold the best potential for hair survival. Laboratory methods that avoid contamination of the samples are also outlined in order to help researchers keep sample integrity after leaving the archaeological site.

A recent upsurge exists of archaeologists using ancient hair as a research tool, with new uses of this previously discarded archaeological material being introduced annually. Human hair deteriorates extremely slowly, and since the average modern human sheds approximately one hundred hairs per day, there should be copious amounts of hair debris left behind after humans leave a site; it is just a matter of how much of the hair survives in the archaeological environment. Most loose hair recovered from archaeological sites, however, is found fortuitously and in many cases, because archaeologists were not actively searching for ancient hair, it is possible they tainted the hair they later tested in ways that compromised their data, or more importantly contaminated their samples with modern hair and did not test ancient hair at all. No standardized method has previously been established for searching for ancient hair in an archaeological site. This paper considers (a) a method of soil extraction in the field that avoids contamination with modern hair and elements that might hinder later test data; (b) the processing of samples in the laboratory while continuing sample integrity; (c) identification of the types of soils and environments that are most favorable to hair preservation; and (d) an examination of the relevance of hair extraction from sites including the practicality and research potential. This paper examines five archaeological sites, using three different methods of hair extraction, examining the pros and cons of each. This should enable future researchers to find a method that works best for their particular site. It also analyzes the soil chemistry of the sites in order to study the soil and hair survival relationship, so that scientists can better determine which soils hold the best potential for hair survival. Laboratory methods that avoid contamination of the samples are also outlined in order to help researchers keep sample integrity after leaving the archaeological site.

O uso de cosméticos com a finalidade de alterar a cor e o formato dos cabelos, como tintura ou alisantes químicos, ocorre com elevada frequência, principalmente entre o público feminino. Porém, esses tratamentos, devido aos seus mecanismos de ação, podem causar danos a estrutura da fibra capilar. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a extensão dos danos provocados pelo tratamento com tintura capilar oxidativa associado ou não ao uso de alisantes químicos a base de tioglicolato de amônio, hidróxido de sódio ou hidróxido de guanidina. Foram desenvolvidas formulações de tintura capilar oxidativa na cor castanho natural nas formas de emulsão, gel e solução, que foram aplicadas a mechas de cabelo virgens. Após nove procedimentos de lavagem, verificou-se qual formulação apresentava maior poder de cobertura e manutenção de cor e brilho. A formulação escolhida (emulsão) foi aplicada a mechas de cabelo virgens associado ou não aos alisantes químicos. As mechas foram avaliadas quanto a alterações de características como diâmetro, resistência à tensão/deformação, perfil térmico de degradação e perda proteica pelo método BCA, validado conforme os parâmetros linearidade, precisão, exatidão, limite de detecção e de quantificação, e especificidade. Observou-se redução do diâmetro do fio (14%) após a aplicação da tintura. Os alisamentos com o hidróxido de guanidina e tioglicolato de amônio promoveram aumento de diâmetro do fio (124,2 e 25,7%, respectivamente), sendo que após aplicação da tintura houve redução (10,7 e 18,8%, respectivamente). O hidróxido de sódio também provocou aumento inicial no diâmetro (106,1%), mas com posterior aumento após aplicação da tintura (8,8%). Quanto aos ensaios de resistência, observou-se elevação de resistência mecânica nas mechas tingidas, em comparação às virgens, o que pode sugerir aumento na massa interna da córtex, devido à deposição dos polímeros coloridos no interior do fio do cabelo. Nas mechas tratadas com os alisantes, houve redução desse parâmetro. Na análise térmica por TG/DTG foram observados quatro picos, sendo que em mechas tingidas houve deslocamento do pico do quarto evento, provavelmente devido à presença do polímero sintético formado no interior do fio de cabelo. O perfil da curva DTA de todos as mechas tratadas com alisante químico foi semelhante e observou-se que para as mechas submetidas à tintura capilar, foi necessária maior energia para ocorrer o último evento exotérmico próximo a 600ºC. A aplicação da tintura teve grande influência sobre a perda proteica na mecha virgem, aumentando este parâmetro em 48%. Entre os produtos de alisamento testados, hidróxido de sódio promoveu maior perda de proteína, cerca de 276% maior do que o cabelo virgem e 207% maior do que o cabelo tingido. Estes resultados podem indicar que, quando se desejar aplicar os dois tipos de produto (alisante e tintura), o tioglicolato de amônio ou hidróxido de guanidina podem ser opções mais interessantes / The use of cosmetics in order to change the color and shape of the hair, such as dye or chemical straighteners, occurs with high frequency , especially among women. However, these treatments, due to their mechanisms of action, can damage the structure of the hair fiber. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of damage caused by treatment with oxidative hair dye with or without the use of chemical straighteners based on ammonium thioglycolate, sodium hydroxide or guanidine hydroxide. Oxidative hair dye formulations in natural brown color were developed in emulsion, gel and solution and were applied to virgin hair tresses. After nine washing procedures, tresses were analyzed in relation to brightness and color maintenance. The chosen formulation (emulsion) was applied to virgin hair tresses associated or not to chemical straighteners. They were evaluated for characteristics such as diameter, tensile stress/strain, thermal degradation profile and protein loss by the BCA method, validated according to the parameters linearity, precision, accuracy , limit of detection and quantification, and specificity. It was observed reduction of the diameter (14%) after application of the dye hair. The straightening with guanidine hydroxide and ammonium thioglycolate caused an increase in diameter of the fiber (124.2 and 25.7%, respectively), while both treatments reduced this parameter (10.7 and 18.8%, respectively). The sodium hydroxide also caused an initial increase in diameter (106.1%), but with further increase after application of the dye (8.8%). In relation to mechanical properties, it was observed increase of resistance in comparison to virgin, which might suggest an increase in mass of the inner cortex due to the deposition of the pigment. In tresses treated with the straighteners, it was observed a reduction of this parameter. In the thermal analysis by TG/DTG four peaks were observed, including a peak shift of the fourth event in dyed tresses probably due to the presence of the synthetic polymer formed within the hair. The profile of the DTA curve of all tresses was similar, except for dyed hair because more energy was required for the last exothermic event at 600°C. The application of the dye had great influence on protein loss in the virgin tresses, increasing this parameter by 48%. Among the straightening products tested, sodium hydroxide promoted greater loss of protein, about 276% greater than the virgin hair, and 207% greater than the dyed hair. These results may indicate that when it is desired to apply both types of product (straightening and dye), ammonium thioglycolate or guanidine hydroxide can be most interesting options.

Yes / Background and Objective: Though devices for hair growth based on low levels of light have shown encouraging results, further improvements of their efficacy is impeded by a lack of knowledge on the exact molecular targets that mediate physiological response in skin and hair follicle. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of selected light-sensitive receptors in the human hair follicle and to study the impact of UV-free blue light on hair growth ex vivo. Material and Methods: The expression of Opsin receptors in human skin and hair follicles has been characterised using RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence approaches. The functional significance of Opsin 3 was assessed by silencing its expression in the hair follicle cells followed by a transcriptomic profiling. Proprietary LED-based devices emitting two discrete visible wavelengths were used to access the effects of selected optical parameters on hair growth ex vivo and outer root sheath cells in vitro. Results: The expression of OPN2 (Rhodopsin) and OPN3 (Panopsin, Encephalopsin) was detected in the distinct compartments of skin and anagen hair follicle. Treatment with 3.2 J/cm2 of blue light with 453 nm central wavelength significantly prolonged anagen phase in hair follicles ex vivo that was correlated with sustained proliferation in the light-treated samples. In contrast, hair follicle treatment with 3.2 J/cm2 of 689 nm light (red light) did not significantly affect hair growth ex vivo. Silencing of OPN3 in the hair follicle outer root sheath cells resulted in the altered expression of genes involved in the control of proliferation and apoptosis, and abrogated stimulatory effects of blue light (3.2 J/cm2; 453 nm) on proliferation in the outer root sheath cells. Conclusions: We provide the first evidence that 1) OPN2 and OPN3 are expressed in human hair follicle, and 2) 453 nm blue light at low radiant exposure exerts a positive effect on hair growth ex vivo, potentially via interaction with OPN3. / This study was supported by the European Marie-Curie Actions Programme, Grant agreement no.: 607886