Research<\/a>). For example, nail growth may slow as we age due to reduced blood flow.<\/p>\nStill, keeping nails trimmed regularly is key for preventing painful ingrown nails and allowing easy function of fingers and toes.<\/p>\n
Are the Tissues That Produce Hair and Nails Alive?<\/h2>\n
The tissues that produce hair and nails are very much alive! Although hair and nails may seem “dead” as they are composed of keratin proteins, the parts of the body that generate these structures are living tissues.<\/p>\n
The Hair Follicle and Root<\/h3>\n
Hair begins its life cycle in a follicle deep under the skin. The base of the hair follicle contains the hair bulb and root, which house actively dividing cells that produce new hair cells. The hair bulb receives nutrients from tiny blood vessels to fuel this growth.<\/p>\n
So while the hair shaft itself is nonliving, the follicle and root that create it are very much biologically alive.<\/p>\n
The Nail Matrix<\/h3>\n
Similarly, nails originate in the nail matrix, the area under the cuticle and lunula (whitish moon shape on the nail) at the base of the nail bed. The nail matrix contains living keratin-producing cells that divide rapidly as new layers of hard keratin are formed.<\/p>\n
A rich supply of blood vessels provides the nutrients needed for nail growth. Although nails are composed of “dead” keratinized cells, their source in the nail matrix is a living, growing tissue.<\/p>\n
Continuous Regeneration<\/h3>\n
Both the hair follicle and nail matrix undergo cell division continuously to regenerate hair and nails. The average rate of growth is about 1 centimeter per month for nails and up to 1.25 centimeters per month for scalp hair.<\/p>\n
This ongoing cell proliferation indicates these tissues are metabolically active and alive.<\/p>\n
In contrast, true “dead” tissues like hair and nail shafts have no metabolic functions once they have fully keratinized and detached from the body. Only the living parts embedded under the skin – the follicle and matrix – can spark new hair and nail growth.<\/p>\n
Disorders That Disrupt Hair and Nail Lifecycles<\/h2>\nAlopecia or Baldness<\/h3>\n
Alopecia or baldness is a disorder in which people experience hair loss from some or all areas of the body. The most common type is androgenetic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness, which accounts for about 95% of all hair loss.<\/p>\n
This condition is caused by genetics, aging and changes in hormone levels. It often begins with gradual thinning at the temples or crown and can progress to complete baldness over time. Other types of alopecia are alopecia areata, which causes patchy hair loss, and alopecia totalis, which is complete baldness on the scalp.<\/p>\n
It’s estimated that about 80 million men and women in the United States have some degree of alopecia or baldness. While there’s no cure, treatments aim to slow or stop hair loss and stimulate regrowth.<\/p>\n
Options include over-the-counter minoxidil, prescription finasteride pills, laser devices such as the FDA-approved HairMax LaserBand 82, platelet rich plasma injections and hair transplants for more significant cases. Wearing wigs and hairpieces can also help manage appearance.<\/p>\n
With alopecia, it’s key to start treatment early to have the best chance of keeping the hair you still have.<\/p>\n
Fungal Nail Infections<\/h3>\n
Fungal nail infections, also called onychomycosis, are a common condition affecting about 10% of adults in the U.S. They happen when fungi overgrow on the nail bed under the nail plate. The toenails are more vulnerable as they are often confined in shoes, keeping them dark and moist, which fungi thrive on.<\/p>\n
Early signs are white or yellow spots on the tips of nails. Without treatment, the infection worsens, causing nails to thicken, crumble and change color. In severe cases, the nail may separate from the nail bed entirely.<\/p>\n
The main risk factors are older age, diabetes, a weakened immune system, and injuries to the nail that allow fungi entry. Besides an unsightly appearance, complications include pain, difficulty walking if the toenails are impacted, and spreading infection to the skin.<\/p>\n
Fungal nail infections can persist for years without treatment. Prescription oral medications, topical solutions, laser therapy and removal of the infected part of the nail are treatment options. Taking preventive steps such as keeping nails trimmed, avoiding trauma to nails and wearing clean, dry socks and shoes can also help reduce risk of fungal nail infections.<\/p>\n
The Question of Post-Mortem Growth<\/h2>\n
An interesting question regarding hair and nails is whether they can continue growing after someone has died. While a common myth persists that hair and nails grow post-mortem, scientific evidence does not support this claim.<\/p>\n
The Origin of the Myth<\/h3>\n
The myth likely arises from the appearance of longer hair and nails on corpses. As the body begins decomposing after death, the skin recedes, making hair and nails seem longer. However, actual new growth does not occur.<\/p>\n
Hair and nail cells require a living body to metabolize nutrients and stimulate cell division in order to grow. Once someone dies, these processes halt.<\/p>\n
Scientific Research<\/h3>\n
Multiple scientific studies have investigated post-mortem hair and nail growth. In one study published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences<\/i>, the length of beard hair from 11 corpses was measured at various intervals after death. No significant lengthening was found over time, debunking the myth.<\/p>\n
Additionally, a study in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology<\/i> took microscopic images of hair roots on two cadavers within 96 hours after death. They did not observe any evidence of new cellular growth occurring.<\/p>\nPractical Implications<\/h3>\n
The lack of post-mortem hair and nail growth has important implications in forensics. Time of death estimates depend on accurate knowledge of how corpses change after death. Understanding that these tissues do not have cell metabolism or divide after death helps medical examiners make more precise conclusions.<\/p>\n
So while the idea of bodies sustaining processes like hair and nail growth after life ends may seem spooky, scientifically we know that decomposition changes give this appearance. Hair and nails do not literally continue growing, but remain a fixed length after death occurs.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
While hair and nails themselves are nonliving, the tissues that generate them are very much alive. The living dermal papilla and nail matrix cells have to divide and support their growth through intricate lifecycles.<\/p>\n
So in the end, how we answer whether hair or nails are living or not owes to semantics around what we consider “alive.” And their persistent post-mortem thriving only adds complexity. But looking closely at their biology does reveal deeper insight around what gives them such tenacity in life and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nails and hair are made from keratin and have no active cells, but are they truly lifeless? Let’s investigate what gives life to our tresses and tips. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: While hair and nails are made of dead cells and proteins, the tissues that produce them…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2050,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"Nail Guide"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/are-hair-and-nails-living-or-nonliving-tissue-1024x614.webp",1024,614,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Amanda Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/author\/chris\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2,"name":"Nail Guide","slug":"nail-guide","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":1279,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2,"category_count":1279,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Nail Guide","category_nicename":"nail-guide","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/are-hair-and-nails-living-or-nonliving-tissue.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/712"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=712"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/712\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=712"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=712"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=712"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}