Double hairs, or the appearance of multiple hairs emerging from a single follicle, are usually due to a rare condition called pili multigemini.
Understanding Pili Multigemini
Pili multigemini is a condition where more than one hair grows from a single hair follicle. This occurs because the papilla, the structure at the base of the follicle that nourishes hair growth, splits into several tips. Each tip then produces an individual hair shaft. These shafts typically don't fuse together, resulting in multiple hairs appearing from one pore.
Prevalence and Location
This condition is more commonly observed in specific locations:
- Adult men's beards: Pili multigemini is relatively frequent in the beard area of adult males.
- Children's scalps: It's also seen more often on the scalps of children.
The condition is considered relatively infrequent overall.
Other Potential Factors
While pili multigemini is the primary cause of the appearance of multiple hairs from a single follicle, other factors, such as ingrown hairs or closely spaced follicles, might create a similar visual effect. However, these are distinct from the true splitting of the hair papilla that defines pili multigemini.
Conclusion
The main reason for experiencing what appears as "double hairs" is the presence of pili multigemini. This rare condition is characterized by the division of the hair follicle papilla, resulting in multiple hair shafts growing from a single follicle.
