Follicles - structure, function and importance for skin and hair

Follicles regulate hair growth and sebum production.

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Follicles regulate hair growth and sebum production. Find out more here.

Follicles: Structure of the skin with a central role in hair growth and sebum production

A follicle - more precisely hair follicle - is a microscopically small, sac-like structure in the skin that surrounds the individual hair and is firmly anchored in the dermis. In addition to the hair itself, the follicle also houses the sebaceous gland, blood vessels and nerve and immune cells. This functional unit is not only responsible for hair growth, but also plays a central role in sebum production, skin protection and immune defence in the area of the skin surface.

The hair follicle is connected to the skin surface via a fine opening. The sebum produced reaches the surface through this opening, where it keeps the skin and hair supple and protects it from dehydration and external irritants. If this system becomes unbalanced, for example due to excessive sebum production or a keratinisation disorder, the follicle channel can become blocked. This leads to blackheads, inflammation and, in the worst case, the development of acne. Hormonal fluctuations, stress or a disturbed skin microbiome can also influence the balance of the follicular system.

In modern skin research, the connection between follicle health and internal factors such as gut flora and immune function is increasingly being investigated. A disturbed - for example in the case of or chronic - can disrupt the immune processes around the follicle. This is where functional substances such as lactoferrin, which has an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effect, come into focus. Studies show that can help to stabilise the microbial balance on the surface of the skin and support the natural function of the follicles - both in the case of inflammatory skin conditions and as part of holistic care and therapy concepts.

Literature references:

Paus, R. & Cotsarelis, G. (1999). The biology of hair follicles. New England Journal of Medicine, 341(7), 491-497.
Gallo, R. L. & Hooper, L. V. (2012). Epithelial antimicrobial defence of the skin and intestine. Nature Reviews Immunology, 12(7), 503-516.
Kawakami, T. et al (2015). Effects of oral administration of lactoferrin on skin condition in healthy women: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 56(3), 190-195.