Influence of Hair Growth Cycle on Lipid Composition of Mouse Epidermis and Dermis.

Abstract

Water and lipid composition of epidermis and dermis (including adipose and muscle layers) were determined during the anagen VI (growing) and telogen (quiescent) stages of the hair growth cycle. These stages of the hair growth cycle represent times of maximum morphological differences in thickness of the corium and adipose layers. Yet total lipid, phospholipid, neutral lipid, cholesterol esters, cholesterol and triglyceride content of epidermis during anagen VI and telogen stages of the hair growth cycle are not significantly different. The same is true for the lipid composition of the dermis. However, independent of hair growth activity, epidermis has a lower water content and a much greater level of cholesterol, cholesterol esters and phospholipid than dermis. The fast acting sterols of epidermis are limited largely to the esterified fraction.