The Influence of Surgical Stress on Human Scalp Hair Fiber Dimensions

November 2015 in “ Summit (Simon Fraser University) ”

Audrey Scott

TLDR Surgical stress temporarily changes hair fiber dimensions, returning to normal after four weeks.

The study investigated the impact of surgical stress on human scalp hair fiber dimensions by analyzing hair samples from males undergoing abdominal surgery. Hair samples, covering one month before and after surgery, were examined for changes in total fiber diameter, cuticle thickness, and cortex diameter. The study found that while increased magnification and digital measurement did not yield significantly different data compared to standard methods, combined measurements were more effective in detecting stress-related changes. Statistically significant differences in hair fiber dimensions were observed between pre- and post-operative samples, with values returning to normal by the fourth post-operative week.

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