Hairless skin is a type of skin found in specific areas of the body, characterized by the absence of hair follicles. It's thicker than the more common hairy skin and is located on areas subjected to significant friction and pressure.
Characteristics of Hairless Skin
- Thickness: Hairless skin, such as that on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, is notably thicker than hairy skin. This increased thickness comes from both the epidermis and dermis layers. Anatomy, Skin (Integument), Epidermis - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
- Location: Primarily found on the palms, soles, and ventral wrist areas. Regional Control of Hairless versus Hair-Bearing Skin by Dkk2
- Function: Its thickness and lack of hair are adaptations for increased protection and grip during activities involving friction and pressure. Anatomy of the Skin - SEER Training
- Research: Studies on hairless skin often utilize hairless mice models for research related to skin conditions, topical agent application, and UV radiation exposure. The hairless mouse in skin research - PMC
The Role of DKK2
Research indicates that the protein DKK2 plays a crucial role in determining whether skin develops as hairy or hairless. In mice, deleting the Dkk2 gene results in the growth of hair on normally hairless areas like the paws. Regional Control of Hairless versus Hair-Bearing Skin by Dkk2: Cell ...
Hairless Skin and the Microbiome
The microbiome associated with hairless skin also differs from that of hairy skin. For example, hairless mice show a higher number of mast cells and a more gram-positive microbiome compared to hairy mice. Mast cell recruitment is modulated by the hairless skin microbiome
Clinical Significance
Understanding the differences between hairy and hairless skin is important in various medical fields, including dermatology and wound healing research. Researchers Discover Why Some Parts of the Body Have Hair and ...
