Understanding Corkscrew Hairs & Vitamin C Deficiency

Corkscrew hairs, also known medically as pili torti, are a specific type of hair shaft abnormality where the hair is twisted along its length. This condition is often linked to deficiencies in certain vitamins crucial for protein structure and maintenance.

Vitamin C's Role in Hair Health

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, plays a vital role in the synthesis of collagen. Collagen is a key structural protein found in skin, hair follicles, and blood vessels.

• Improper collagen formation weakens the structure of the hair follicle.
• This structural weakness can lead to abnormalities in hair growth, resulting in twisted or corkscrew-shaped hairs.
• Deficiency in Vitamin C causes scurvy, a condition characterized by fatigue, bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and various hair and skin changes, including corkscrew hairs.

Identifying the Cause

The characteristic corkscrew appearance of hairs is a known clinical sign associated with a significant lack of Vitamin C.

Therefore, corkscrew hairs are seen due to deficiency of Vitamin C.